Seamlessly migrate your Umbraco 7 or 8 website

Why upgrade to Umbraco 13? 

Umbraco 13 is the current Long-Term Support (LTS) version, offering enhanced features, improved performance, and ongoing support. Upgrading to this version not only secures your site but also unlocks new possibilities with the latest .NET Core technology, allowing for a more scalable and robust web experience. 

The older versions of Umbraco are built on the .NET Framework, which is now being superseded by .NET Core. The migration from .NET Framework to .NET Core is not a direct upgrade; it’s a transformation. This process provides a unique opportunity to either migrate your current site as-is or to rebuild it from scratch, incorporating a redesign and reimagined information architecture if necessary. 

If you’re uncertain where to go next with your Umbraco estate or want more background to the platform’s evolution, you might want to read our guide to Maintaining Your Umbraco Web Estate.  However, if you’re pretty happy with your site as-is and simply want to get onto the latest LTS to enjoy its benefits, then read on... 

The migration process 

Migrating to a newer version of Umbraco involves creating a new instance alongside your existing one, starting with a blank canvas, and then meticulously transferring everything that matters to you. This includes: 

• Umbraco Database Items: Content, media, document types, data types, back-office users, and front-end members. 

• Page and Component Template Files: .NET Razor templates. 

• Front-End Artifacts: CSS and JavaScript files. 

• Custom .NET Code: MVC Surface Controllers, API Controllers, and bespoke functionality. 

While front-end artifacts like CSS and JavaScript files transfer with minimal changes, the database items and custom .NET code require modifications to align with Umbraco new structure. Our team uses advanced tooling to automate much of this process, ensuring efficiency while customizing the approach to suit the unique needs of each website. 

Tackling migration challenges 

One of the biggest challenges in migrating from older versions of Umbraco is handling community or custom plugins, especially when there is no direct equivalent in the latest Umbraco versions. Our process includes a thorough review of your site to determine the best course of action—whether that’s mapping to a functionality-equivalent plugin, leveraging native features, or rewriting the plugin for compatibility. 

Additionally, the migration of page and component template files and custom .NET code often involves syntactical adjustments to be compatible with .NET Core and Umbraco's latest APIs. While our tools automate much of this, the process still requires careful engineering oversight to ensure everything works seamlessly post-migration. 

Beyond migration: hosting options 

The migration process also presents an ideal time to reconsider your hosting environment. If you currently host your website on-premise or in your own cloud (like Azure or AWS), switching to Umbraco Cloud managed hosting could be more cost-effective. For those using Windows servers, consider that Umbraco now supports Linux hosting, which could offer significant savings as Linux servers typically come without the licensing costs associated with Windows. 

Why choose us? 

Migrating to a new version of Umbraco can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. We bring extensive experience and a proven process to ensure your website transitions smoothly to the latest versions of Umbraco, preserving its functionality while enhancing performance. Our bespoke approach means we tailor the migration to your specific needs, ensuring the end result is a website that not only meets but exceeds your expectations. 

Don’t wait until your current Umbraco version is obsolete—take proactive steps to secure your website’s future. Contact us today to learn more about our migration services and how we can help you upgrade your Umbraco site with confidence.