Latest version of Umbraco:
to upgrade or not?
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Support for Umbraco 7 will end on September 30, 2023. From that moment on, no new security patches will be released. This version is also no longer recommended for hosting websites. What does this mean, and how can you ensure that your website continues to function well from October onwards?
Open source CMS Umbraco
In the Netherlands, Umbraco is the number one open source CMS. It works well for various types of users, has no limitations, and is superior in terms of security compared to other open source CMS systems. Umbraco continuously works on its products. The user interface changes and improves, and logically, Umbraco always applies the latest technologies.
Because the CMS works with Microsoft standards, it evolves along with developments in that area. This means that new versions of Umbraco are continually being released. Such an upgrade usually offers a completely new experience, and much changes when you upgrade to the latest version.
Risk of not upgrading Umbraco 7
Let's go back to Umbraco 7. In the short term, you will probably have few security issues. Umbraco is very secure and, therefore, not popular among hackers. However, there is another important reason to upgrade. Umbraco 7 is now ten years old. No web developer or internet agency will still work on such an outdated framework. Therefore, renewing, improving, or changing your website is no longer an option. Do you want to update your website? Then upgrading to a newer version of Umbraco is necessary.
New release of Umbraco? Always upgrade!
We even recommend always upgrading to the latest versions of a CMS. By keeping up with new releases from a company like Umbraco, you keep your organization’s website user-friendly. The site also remains healthy in terms of performance and security. Moreover, this prevents you from having to upgrade an older version to the latest software version. This is often more challenging than just upgrading to one version higher.
Upgrading has other benefits. The latest versions of Umbraco are much faster, and the editor is even easier to use. Additionally, as a user, you can independently create landing pages and event pages without needing a web developer. This makes your organization even more independent. And that's great. The budget freed up by this can be better spent on new, more complex functionalities that add value to the customer journey, right?
Is your company’s website still running on Umbraco 7? Then definitely consider upgrading to the latest version of this CMS. It takes some time and effort, but it is more than worth the investment. Trust us!
Benefits of upgrading Umbraco 7 at a glance:
- Keeps your website user-friendly
- Maintains the website’s performance and security health
- Prevents the need to upgrade an older version to the latest version
- Latest versions are much faster
- Editor is easier to use
- Independently create landing pages without a web developer
- More independence as an organization
Upgrading to the latest version of Umbraco 7: how it works
Switching from Umbraco 7 to the latest version of this CMS takes time. This is because the entire database of the website must be transferred. This ensures that all content, including forms and media, is moved to the latest version of the CMS.
This migration occurs in several steps. From migration to Umbraco 8, through the latest version of Umbraco 8 to Umbraco 10, and finally to Umbraco 11. Content that does not use the standard Umbraco data types is transferred manually.
After that, all the code on which the website is built must be converted. This is an extensive process, as all code must be rebuilt. It then needs to be thoroughly tested. Finally, the website goes live. This requires another database transfer, including manual work and extensive testing.
Transferring the current website or building a new one?
The previous paragraph shows that transferring a CMS from Umbraco version 7 to version 11 is quite costly. However, if you are very attached to your current website, you might consider this investment.
There are also alternatives, such as developing a completely new website. This gives you a fresh start. Of course, building a new website is not done in one day, but it gives you the chance to address everything thoroughly. Consider the strategy, customer journey setup, user experience, and online marketing objectives.
Need help with Umbraco?
Do you have questions about Umbraco upgrades or are you on the brink of a new website/platform? Human Digital has years of experience with Umbraco. We currently support hundreds of websites with this friendly CMS. We would be happy to advise you on the steps necessary for your organization. Contact me at marc.gutlich@humandigital.nl or via our phone number 085 - 00 20 678. We have a working business case and a proof of concept that we would love to share with you.