Upgrade to Umbraco 13: essential information for a secure CMS

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 to provide users with more predictability and stability. This schedule includes three types of releases:

  1. Minor releases: Every 6 weeks, security updates are released via 'patch releases', which are bugfix releases that solve problems without adding new features or altering existing ones.
  2. Major releases: Every 6 months, a new 'major release' is launched, featuring significant innovations such as new features, major improvements, and sometimes breaking changes.
  3. Long-term support (LTS) releases: Every fourth major release is an LTS version. These are selected from the major releases and receive extended support over a longer period.

The latest LTS version is Umbraco 13. An LTS version is always thoroughly tested and supported for a longer period, resulting in a more stable and reliable environment. This reduces the chance of unexpected issues or bugs, which is essential for a smooth and user-friendly website. 

Meer info over Umbraco of de migratie naar 13?

Wij adviseren je graag.

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. 


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. 

Traditional, cloud, or headless?

The Umbraco CMS includes three variants: Umbraco, Umbraco Cloud, and Umbraco Heartcore. What suits your organization best? It depends on your needs and requirements. We explain them here:

  • Umbraco (Traditional): The so-called classic version of Umbraco. With this variant, you choose where the application is hosted. You have full control over the server environment and hosting, making you responsible for maintenance, updates, and server security.
  • Umbraco Cloud: The SaaS (Software as a Service) solution. Everything is managed through the Microsoft Azure operating system, with Umbraco Cloud taking care of hosting, security, and application updates. This means you don't have to worry about server management and technical details.
  • Umbraco Heartcore: The headless/composable variant. This version is suitable for content management in an environment where a headless or composable architecture is needed. In a headless CMS, the frontend is decoupled from the backend. This means content is delivered via APIs and can be used across different platforms and devices, such as mobile apps, websites, and other digital channels.

Each variant offers advantages depending on the specific needs and preferences of your organization. At Human Digital, we frequently work with Umbraco Cloud. 


Benefits of Umbraco Cloud

  • Automatic updates: new features and security patches are implemented automatically
  • Ease of management: a user-friendly interface and streamlined processes make website management simpler
  • Scalability and reliability: access to a reliable cloud ifnrastructure with excellent uptime
  • Backup and recovery: regular backups and an easy recovery process safeguard your data

Conclusion 

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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