What have you heard about Umbraco upgrade paths?

If you’ve been using Umbraco for a while, you’ve probably seen articles or competitors telling you that staying on older versions, like Umbraco v8, is risky or outdated. They’ll mention all the great new technologies you’re supposedly missing out on, like headless content management or seamless integrations with modern tools. But let’s cut through the noise.

The reality of Umbraco v8

Umbraco v8, while soon going out of official support, is still a powerful, flexible CMS. If your current site is running smoothly, handling your business needs, and isn’t facing any specific security risks, there’s no reason to panic or feel pressured into upgrading. Much of what you can do in Umbraco 13, whether it’s content management or custom integrations, can still be achieved with Umbraco v8 if you have a skilled developer who understands how to make the platform work for you.

This idea that you “can’t take advantage of newer technologies” is often overstated.

The truth is, it all depends on how well your website is built and maintained. The integration of CRMs, marketing automation, or even a headless setup, while easier in newer versions, is still entirely possible with Umbraco v8.

Reasons you might want to upgrade

Of course, I’m not saying there aren’t compelling and justifiable reasons to consider upgrading. Umbraco 13 brings real benefits, particularly if you’re looking to take advantage of the latest security updates, performance improvements, and modern development workflows. In our fast-moving world, staying on the cutting edge can be really important for some businesses, especially those that require constant integration with external systems or are expanding rapidly.

And yes, with Umbraco 13, you get access to more efficient development processes, which could lead to faster deployment cycles and easier future upgrades. From a security standpoint, regular updates are always a good idea, as they ensure you’re protected from newly discovered vulnerabilities.

When sticking with Umbraco v8 makes sense

But here’s the key thing: upgrading isn’t always necessary or even the best choice for every business. If your current platform is stable, secure, and doing exactly what you need it to, why risk issues and force a change, after all,  “if it ain't broke, don't fix it”.

An upgrade, while offering new features, can also be disruptive to your business, and the costs (both time and money) may not be justified if you’re not going to see an immediate return on investment.

Not every business needs the latest technology, and sometimes, sticking with what works is the smarter decision. For example, if your site isn’t heavily reliant on third-party integrations or you’re not aiming to go headless, you might find that Umbraco v8 continues to meet your needs perfectly well.

A balanced approach

Ultimately, whether you should upgrade or stick with Umbraco v8 depends on your business goals and technical requirements. I’ve seen plenty of cases where businesses have stayed on older versions of software for years, simply because it made sense for their workflow and budget. I still have clients with Umbraco v3, v4, v6 & v7 websites still working fine with no issues.

With the right developer on board, you can extend the life of Umbraco v8 well beyond its official support period, without compromising on security or functionality.

So, if you’re feeling pressured by competitors claiming that staying on Umbraco v8 will leave you in the dark ages, take a step back.

Make your decision based on what’s right for your business, not on scare tactics.

In conclusion

Upgrading to Umbraco 13 is certainly something to consider for the future. It’s modern, efficient, and packed with useful features for those businesses that need them. But if you’re still on Umbraco v8 and it’s doing the job, there’s no need to rush into anything. Every site is different, and a well-maintained Umbraco v8 site can continue to perform admirably, with the right developer making the most of its capabilities.

Remember, it’s not just about the platform—it’s about how you use it.

If you need advice on whether an upgrade makes sense for your business, feel free to get in touch. I'm happy to assess your needs and guide you towards the best solution, whether that’s sticking with v8 for now or making the jump to Umbraco 13 when the time is right.