Umbraco v8 End-of-Life: What now? Your options explained.
Umbraco 8 will reach its end-of-life (EOL) on February 24, 2025, signalling the end of official updates and support for version 8. This should come as no surprise! As with any well-managed product and software EOL programme, the deadline has been public for some time – we all knew it was coming but now the clock is ticking and decisions need to be made.
Why do I have to do this?
A question often asked by clients is why does this have to be done? There can be a misconception that an open-source solution means that once a website is built, the content management system (CMS) will last forever, with no platform 'expense' required.
Whether an enterprise-licensed CMS solution or open-source, the need to continually patch, develop and progress a CMS platform through both in-version and new version updates will be inevitable. From a broader perspective, a website should not be expected to last forever – 3-5 years is a realistic lifespan, at which point the needs of a business and technical advances should prompt a site review and potential refresh.
CMS upgrades are a bit like computer or mobile operating system upgrades where the pace of technological change is equally rapid. In-version software updates can bring operating benefits and security patch solutions to users, but eventually, to reap the rewards of bigger and better innovations, and to manage the rapid pace of more sophisticated security exploitation solutions, it will be necessary to implement major version updates. Just like the regular ‘fall’ version upgrades we have come to expect from Apple iOS, so the time will come for a website CMS to reach a significant version update, and for Umbraco v8, that time has now arrived.
In-version upgrades are generally simple to implement – for example, vX.1, vX.3 through to vX.8 etc. can be applied, and, for SampsonMay clients, this will be implemented as part of all our fully managed hosting solutions. But for new version upgrades, often these can be substantive and, in addition to the time implementing the upgrade itself, pages/functionality on the site may ‘break’ and need fixing. That does not necessarily reflect on the build quality/approach of an older site, it is only when the extent of future version upgrades is released and known, that the level of remedial work required can be fully assessed. Sometimes, this work can be minimal, requiring less work, whilst at other times it can be more complex and time-consuming.
If you are using version 8 of Umbraco, a decision needs to be made and four main options exist:
- Move to a new CMS (in essence a full site rebuild with a new CMS to learn);
- Upgrade to a new version of the Umbraco CMS;
- Implement a full site rebuild on a newer version of Umbraco (the primary driver being an opportune moment for a full UX and Design review); or
- Pay for extended Umbraco v8 support.
This article provides a detailed overview of your options and helps you navigate this transition effectively.
Should I consider a new CMS?
In our opinion, the simple answer is no!
Umbraco remains one of the best open-source CMS solutions out there. It offers high flexibility, scalability, and security, making it suitable for a wide range of applications, from small websites to large enterprise solutions.
The platform's user-friendly interface and intuitive editing experience enable content creators to manage and publish content efficiently and this is reflected on G2 CMS platform comparison data and independent reviews.
As stated earlier – all software and CMS platforms will eventually reach end-of-life. Moving to another CMS will only increase the cost and complexity of the project, as well as the need to learn a new CMS and retrain users.
Unless there is a fundamental driving reason to move CMS, there is no logic or efficiency in doing so (both from a time and cost perspective).
Upgrade to a new version or implement a full site rebuild?
The end of support for Umbraco v8 means no more security patches or updates will be released, increasing the risk of vulnerabilities and compliance issues. Upgrading or rebuilding is crucial to maintaining a secure CMS and website environment.
Understanding your options:
Upgrade
- Upgrading involves migrating to a more recent version of Umbraco, such as Umbraco 13 or 14.
- This approach tends to be simpler and smoother, preserving much of the existing site structure and content.
- Newer versions come with enhanced features, improved security, and better performance.
Rebuild
- A rebuild entails creating a new site from scratch on the latest version, such as Umbraco 13, 14 or newer (depending on when you read this article).
- This option allows for a complete review of your website, including UX consultancy around how the site is being used, its purpose, objectives, and how best to achieve them. With this comes the opportunity to review the design and content and, if applicable, to review any brand work/development that may have been made in the intervening years.
- Whilst more resource-intensive, it can be ideal for businesses looking to make improvements – especially given many companies facing this upgrade decision may have websites around 4-5 years old.
Pay for Extended Long-Term Support (XLTS)
For companies facing budget constraints or undergoing significant changes, upgrading or rebuilding might only be feasible after EOL.
The XLTS paid service can be a useful short-term option to buy time and provide critical security patches beyond the EOL date, offering a temporary solution to maintain site security while planning the upgrade or rebuild.
Umbraco offers special discounts on hosting for companies who will migrate to the Umbraco Cloud hosting when the site is eventually upgraded or rebuilt, offsetting some of the XLTS costs (available via accredited Umbraco Gold partners like SampsonMay)
What version of Umbraco should I move to?
You might think that the latest version is always the best to use, but this is only sometimes true. Version 14 of Umbraco, released over a month ago at the time of writing (July 2024), still has many bugs and limited third-party package support due to a significant shift in its back office from AngularJS to Web Components and LIT.
This major change required extensive reworking of core components. While these issues will eventually be resolved, for most projects, we recommend using v13. You can stay on v13 until the next long-term support version is released for a more stable upgrade path.
In our opinion, XLTS should only be considered if really necessary, for example, to cover a small period of time whilst a final decision is made regarding Upgrade versus Rebuild. The benefits from a full version upgrade are generally extensive, with key highlights detailed below.
Reasons to upgrade Umbraco
- Security: Upgrading ensures ongoing protection with the latest security patches and support, mitigating vulnerabilities present in Umbraco 8.
- Performance and Functionality: Newer versions offer faster loading times, enhanced user experiences, and access to cutting-edge features such as:
- Dynamic Root: Streamlines dynamic content management setup.
- No/Low-Code Webhooks: Facilitates easy integration with external systems.
- Enhanced Media Delivery API: Optimises media handling in headless environments.
- Concurrent Login Control: Improves security by managing simultaneous logins.
- Sustainability: Newer versions utilize more efficient .NET platforms, reducing server power consumption and carbon footprints.
Benefits of upgrading or rebuilding Umbraco
- Enhanced Security: Upgrading ensures you benefit from regular updates, offering robust protection against emerging threats.
- Futureproofing: Keeping up with the latest version ensures compatibility with new technologies and compliance standards.
- Improved Performance: The new version of Umbraco is 6x faster than previous versions.
- Business needs: A rebuild provides the perfect opportunity to sense check how your website is supporting your organisation's strategic and commercial objectives. By implementing a UX review, alongside potentially a full design refresh and build (with updated/additional content and functionality where applicable), a rebuild offers a sensible point to asses your site against your business objectives and audience needs. Whilst a new build is, in essence, a 'ground-up' project, for existing SampsonMay clients, there will be cost savings given we are not working from a completely blank canvas.
Let us help
As Umbraco 8's end-of-life approaches, proactive steps are essential and in our opinion, making no decision and ‘hoping for the best’ is a dangerous tactic to employ.
Whether upgrading, rebuilding, or using extended support, careful planning ensures a smooth transition. As an Umbraco Gold Partner with extensive experience in end-of-life upgrades. Our expertise minimises disruption and maximises the benefits of the latest Umbraco features. Partnering with us means working with a team that understands the platform's intricacies and prioritises your project's success.
We can provide comprehensive support, from initial assessment and planning to implementation and post-upgrade maintenance. Learn more about our services and expertise here and if you would like to discuss your options and chat further about how we can help then please don’t hesitate to get in touch.