We’re not here to panic you. If your website is still running on Umbraco version 7, chances are it’s still doing something. Content is editable, pages are live, and your team is making it work. We’ve seen it all before.
But here’s the problem. That familiar, “good enough” content management system is now out of date, out of support, and, to be totally honest, quietly undermining your digital performance. And while it might feel like it’s holding together, the cracks are getting bigger by the day.
Umbraco 7 reached official end-of-life in September 2023. That means no more updates, no security advisories, and no help if something breaks. It also means one very important thing. There’s no direct upgrade path.
Migrating from Umbraco 7 isn’t a tidy upgrade process. It’s a rebuild. And while that might sound daunting, it’s actually an opportunity to do things properly - cleaner, faster, and smarter.
Why Umbraco 7 Is Now Holding You Back
Umbraco 7 was brilliant in its day. But that day has passed.
Here’s why staying on it now is hurting your business:
No support, no safety net
Once software hits end-of-life, it stops getting updates - including security patches. That puts your site at risk of vulnerabilities, data leaks, and all the worst-case scenarios you don’t want to be explaining to your board or your customers.
Built on an old tech stack
Umbraco 7 runs on the .NET Framework, which has also been superseded. Modern versions of Umbraco (from version 10 onwards) run on .NET Core – a newer, lighter, faster platform built for today’s web.
This is a big reason there’s no in-place upgrade available. The underlying database schema and tech are completely different.
Performance and integration issues
Older sites tend to be slower, harder to update, and less compatible with modern tools. Connecting Umbraco 7 to CRMs, analytics platforms, or third-party systems often involves custom code, custom database tables, and manual fixes.
The editor experience is falling behind
If your content editor team is still wrestling with the user interface in Umbraco 7, they probably aren’t enjoying it. Modern Umbraco is far more intuitive, faster to use, and easier to train new staff on.
Why You Can’t Upgrade - You Have to Rebuild (And That’s OK)
Many businesses come to us wanting to "upgrade to the latest version" and carry on as usual. We get it.
But here’s the reality. You can’t upgrade from Umbraco 7 to Umbraco 13 or beyond. The technology stack has changed too much. The only real option is to rebuild your site on the new platform and handle the website migration properly.
That might sound like a headache, but it’s actually a huge opportunity.
This is your chance to:
- Streamline your content nodes - keep what works, lose what doesn’t
- Improve your site structure - make it easier for users and search engines
- Rework your design and UX - especially if the current site is more than a few years old
- Optimise for performance gains and SEO - no more legacy bloat
- Integrate with modern tools properly - without hacks or compromises
- It’s not about starting from scratch. It’s about building a smarter version of what you’ve already got, designed for what your business needs now.
What a Proper Migration Looks Like
We’ve helped loads of businesses move from Umbraco 7 to modern versions. Not one of them has regretted it.
Here’s how we typically approach a content migration project.
1. Discovery and planning
We start with a clear understanding of where you are. That means:
- Reviewing your current content management capabilities
- Identifying technical limitations and performance metrics
- Understanding how your site supports your user journeys and business goals
- Mapping out integrations, third-party tools and any dependencies
This helps us shape a plan that’s realistic, phased, and aligned to your priorities.
2. Content audit and strategy
This is where we bring structure to the chaos. Content migration is your chance to take proper control of your content.
We start with a free content analysis. We’ll scan your existing site and give you a clear picture of:
- How many pages you have
- How your content types are structured
- Where there may be duplication, orphaned pages or unnecessary clutter
From there, we can offer chargeable services to go deeper, including:
- Cross-referencing content with traffic and conversion data
- Mapping content to keywords and identifying gaps or overlaps
- Making recommendations on what to keep, remove, or rewrite
- Helping define a future-proof content modeling system
We don’t just move content over - we help make it work harder.
3. Rebuild on modern Umbraco
Once we know what’s needed, we rebuild your site on the latest stable version of Umbraco - usually version 10 or higher, on .NET Core.
This is a clean build using modern best practices. No bloated code. No risky plugins. No lifting and shifting old problems.
We’ll rebuild or rework essential integrations like CRMs, analytics, forms, and booking systems - making sure they’re fully functional, secure and easy to maintain.
This includes modernising media management and ensuring compatibility with Media Delivery APIs and all supported media formats.
4. Migration, testing and launch
Content is migrated in a structured way. We test thoroughly and ensure the new site works exactly as it should - both for your team and your users.
We also provide training for content editors and technical support post-launch. That way, you’re confident using the new platform from day one.
Why Businesses Delay - And Why That’s Risky
We understand why this gets delayed. It can feel like a big job. If the site is still functioning, why mess with it?
But leaving a legacy CMS in place for too long often creates more cost, more stress, and more risk.
Here’s what we’ve seen:
- Security vulnerabilities that leave businesses exposed
- Poor user experience and slow page speeds that hurt rankings
- Rising dev costs from patching up old issues
- Complete rebuilds needed in a hurry when something critical fails
Doing nothing feels easier - until it’s not. A planned, proactive content migration tool will always cost less and deliver more value than an emergency rebuild under pressure.
Why Modern Umbraco Is Worth the Switch
Upgrading to modern Umbraco is not just about getting a newer version of what you already have.
It’s a step into a better experience, for you and your users.
- Built on .NET Core - faster, more secure, more efficient
- Cleaner content structure and editor tools
- Easier to manage, scale and integrate
- More flexible for future features or headless setups
- Fully supported by Umbraco HQ for the long term
It’s still the Umbraco CMS you know - but rebuilt for the modern web.
Let’s Get You Started - Free Content Analysis
Still running Umbraco 7? Not sure how big your site is or how painful migration might be?
We offer a free content analysis to help you find out.
We’ll crawl your existing site and give you a report showing:
- Total number of pages
- Site structure overview
- Flags for duplication or content bloat
From there, if you’d like help mapping that content to performance data, SEO priorities, or migration strategy, we can support you through a structured and costed process.
There’s no pressure. Just a clear first step towards getting off legacy tech and onto something better.
Ready to get started?
Request your free content analysis
Explore our Umbraco Migration Services
Your website deserves better than a CMS that’s been left behind. Let’s help you move forward.