Upgrade to Umbraco 13: time for action & upgrade to Umbraco 13

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Umbraco 8 will reach its end of life (EOL) on February 24, 2025. From that date, this version will no longer receive support or updates. To ensure that your website remains secure and functional, it is important to upgrade your content management system (CMS) to the latest version: Umbraco 13. Below is an overview of the benefits and considerations for this upgrade. 

Umbraco
August 5, 2024
Marc Gutlich

Release schedule of Umbraco

Umbraco is a popular open-source CMS in the Netherlands due to its user-friendliness and strong security features. They follow a fixed release schedule:

  1. Patch releases: Every 6 weeks, minor security and bug fix updates are implemented.
  2. Major releases: Every 6 months, new features and improvements are introduced.
  3. Long-term support (LTS) releases: Every fourth major release receives extended support for stability and reliability.

The latest LTS version, Umbraco 13, ensures a stable and secure environment with long-term support, minimizing technical risks and preventing unexpected disruptions. 

Clients for whom we have implemented the Umbraco migration

Our way of work

What variants of Umbraco are available?

The Umbraco CMS comes in three different variants: Umbraco, Umbraco Cloud, and Umbraco Heartcore. Which one is best for your organization? That depends on your needs and requirements. Here’s an overview:

1. Umbraco (on-premise)

The classic version of Umbraco. With this variant, you choose where the application is hosted, giving you full control over the server environment and hosting. 

2. Umbraco Cloud

A Software as a Service (SaaS) solution hosted on Microsoft Azure. Umbraco Cloud manages hosting, security, and updates, so you don’t have to worry about technical maintenance.

Benefits of Umbraco Cloud:
  • Automatic updates
  • Easy management
  • Scalability & reliability
  • Backup & recovery


3. Umbraco Heartcore

A headless/composable version of Umbraco, ideal for content management in headless or composable architectures. In a headless CMS, the frontend is decoupled from the backend, meaning content is delivered via APIs and can be used across multiple platforms, including mobile apps, websites, and other digital channels.

Each Umbraco variant offers unique advantages depending on your organization’s specific needs and preferences. At Human Digital, we frequently work with Umbraco Cloud for its flexibility and ease of use.

Umbraco migration challenges

When upgrading to Umbraco 13, there are several challenges to consider: 

  • Architectural changes: The structure of Umbraco 13 differs significantly from Umbraco 8, which may require revisiting the codebase and dependencies.

  • Customization and API adjustments: Changes in APIs and infrastructure may necessitate adjustments to custom code and integrations. This can be complex and time-consuming, especially for custom forms and third-party systems. 

  • Performance and testing: A major upgrade requires extensive testing to ensure proper functionality, demanding effort from both developers and clients. 


To ensure a smooth migration, it is crucial to review and adapt all aspects of the current implementation. 


Are there alternatives?

In addition to upgrading to Umbraco 13, you may consider developing an entirely new website. This offers the opportunity to thoroughly review your strategy, design, and user experience. While this can be a significant investment, it may provide a valuable fresh start and an enhanced website experience. 

Conclusion: time for action!

Upgrading to Umbraco 13 is crucial for maintaining the security and performance of your website. Although the migration presents some challenges, the benefits can be substantial. If making this decision is challenging, we understand. Therefore, we are happy to advise you in this process. 

 
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