What is Umbraco?
Umbraco is a popular open-source content management system (CMS) used to power websites. Umbraco is free and easy to use, making it a great choice for first-time webmasters. Umbraco features an intuitive interface and a wide range of features to help you manage your website. It also offers powerful built-in content management tools, allowing you to easily create, edit, and manage your website media and content.
Umbraco is an incredible piece of software, but it can be hard to maintain, mainly because it’s more of a developer tool than other CMS’s like Wordpress. That's where support contracts come in - they offer a way to get professional support for your Umbraco website without having to spend a lot of money up front. There are many different options for support contracts, so it is important to find one that fits your needs and budget.
Support Contracts
If you are using Umbraco to power your website, it is important to have a support contract in place to ensure that your website is maintained and supported.
Umbraco's popularity potentially makes it a target for hackers and criminals so it's important to have measures in place (i.e. a support / maintenance contract) to ensure that your website is looked after properly. A support contract ensures that Umbraco support will be available when you need it, and that any issues will be resolved quickly.
Umbraco is complex and has a lot of features, these can also be extended by the use of custom code making it very flexible and powerful. If you are not using a support contract, then you may end up paying for upgrades or support yourself, which can be expensive and unless you are an experienced developer, highly risky.
Can’t I update it myself?
You can, however do you have all the required skills to do it properly and securely or would you prefer to pay someone that knows what they are doing and allowing you to focus on your own business skills?
If you're like most website owners, you probably don't have time to keep your site up-to-date with the latest design and technology changes. That's where a support contract comes in handy. A support contract ensures that any issues or problems with your website are addressed in a timely manner. You can rely on your support agency providing knowledgeable guidance and help you stay current with the latest changes, while freeing up your time to focus on other tasks.
Latest versions?
A support contract can also help you stay up-to-date with the latest Umbraco updates and releases.
The Umbraco team regularly releases updates and new versions of the software, which can be difficult to keep up with. A support contract can help you stay up-to-date with the latest Umbraco security updates and releases. This way, you can ensure that your Umbraco website remains in compliance with the latest industry standards and best practices.
However just because a newer version of Umbraco has been released, it does not mean you should be upgraded to it - there are always downsides to consider with upgrades, you should discuss these with your support agency to ensure you get the best advice for your particular Umbraco website installation and business needs.
Options
When it comes to Umbraco support contracts, there are many different options available. This is important to consider because not all contracts will fit everyone's needs and budget.
Depending on your specific needs, you may be better off choosing an option with a longer term commitment or one that includes extra features or support. It is important to find a contract that matches your specific needs and expectations, so don't hesitate to ask questions during the contract negotiation process.
Some of the most common Umbraco support contracts include monthly, annual, and per-project contracts. It is also important to consider the type of support you need, such as technical assistance, bug fixes, or feature development.
Here at Simon Antony, we have many years of experience looking after a wide range of Umbraco sites built by many different companies - we work with you to create a bespoke plan that fits your budgetary requirements.
