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So just to kind of like add to what Michael and Filip were saying, many clients approach us when they need to spin up some microsites for particular campaigns or potentially for large events. These micro sites are often temporary, but they're very highly targeted sites designed to promote a particular initiative, a particular type of content. So this type of set up like Michael’s set up is usually preferred by clients due to its flexibility. And the flexibility is in managing the content itself. So the beauty of having the multi-site set up is that it allows clients to reuse the components that they already have within the main site, but it still allows you to have a completely separate look and feel. So for example, this is exactly what Michael has for ABPI. In terms of considerations, I would probably say choosing the right CMS from the start so it kind of like really goes well with what Filip was saying earlier. So it will really prevent organisations from going into the technical debt and I don't know if any technical people are on the call today, but they would really appreciate me say this. What do I mean by the technical debt? It's when you have various different platforms here and there and everywhere and then you need a project basically to reassemble everything back together. So we've seen this happen with small to medium membership organisations where different teams are responsible for different areas of the business. They set up campaign sites using various. like WordPress, Wix, Michael mentioned Drupal earlier as well, so they set up the campaigns using these platforms, and although they achieved the goal at the time because they can do it quickly and they can make those decisions, I think managing those websites gets really out of hand very quickly. And I particularly want to call out two things here. It's the analytics tracking. So when there are different platforms, different websites set up here and there and everywhere analytics gets out of hand and as one of my colleagues actually says, you know, you're no longer comparing apples and apples, you kind of have a little bit of orange here and maybe some plums in there. And the second bit I want to call out is the CRM integrations, which are particularly important for the membership organizations as well. So if you don't set it up properly. Then the whole thing gets out of hand.

Time to Plan Your Umbraco Upgrade: Umbraco 17 is Coming

It’s that time of the year again, a new Umbraco version is just around the corner. Next month, Umbraco 17 will be released, and it’s a big one.

This is the next Long Term Support (LTS) release, making it the most future‑proof choice for organisations who want stability, security, and a clear upgrade path.

With the arrival of 17, Umbraco will also be reminding customers still on older versions that it’s time to migrate. If you’re running on Umbraco 7, Umbraco 10, or even Umbraco 13, the clock is ticking and planning your Umbraco upgrade now will save you time, money, and stress later.

 

Why Staying on Old Versions of Umbraco Isn’t an Option

Older versions might still “work,” but they come with serious downsides:

• Umbraco end of life means no more security patches, leaving your site vulnerable.
• Compliance headaches if you’re handling sensitive data.
• Compatibility issues with modern hosting and integrations.
• Rising costs of maintaining outdated tech.

In short: the longer you wait to upgrade Umbraco, the riskier (and more expensive) it gets.

What’s New in Umbraco 17

So why make the jump now?

• Built on .NET 10, Microsoft’s latest LTS release, giving you the newest performance and security improvements.
• As an Umbraco LTS release, you'll receive two years of full support from Umbraco HQ, including feature updates, followed by an additional year of security patching.
• Editors benefit from a smoother, more intuitive back‑office experience.
• Future Umbraco upgrades will be easier, so you won’t face the same “big leap” again.

The Big Shift: From .NET Framework to .NET 10

If you’re still on Umbraco 7 or other older versions, your site is running on the legacy .NET Framework. Migrating to Umbraco 17 means moving to .NET 10, a modern, high‑performance platform that’s faster, more secure, and built for the future.

This shift is a major step forward, but it also means migrations aren’t just a quick patch. In many cases, your site will need code refactoring or redevelopment to take full advantage of the new architecture. That’s why planning your Umbraco migration early is essential.

How to Check Your Current Umbraco Version

Not sure which version of Umbraco you’re running? Here’s how to find out:

• Umbraco 7 (and older): The version number is shown in the bottom‑left corner of the back‑office. 

• Umbraco 8+: The version number is displayed in the top‑right corner of the back‑office.

Knowing your version helps you understand whether you’re approaching end of life and how complex your upgrade path might be.

How ClerksWell Can Help with Your Umbraco Migration

As an Umbraco Platinum Partner, ClerksWell is part of an elite group of agencies recognised for their expertise and innovation on the platform.

We’ve helped organisations of all shapes and sizes through their Umbraco upgrade journey. Our approach is simple:

• We audit your current site to understand what you’ve got.
• We plan the best migration path for your needs.
• We refactor and rebuild where needed to align with .NET 10.
• We test thoroughly so you can launch with confidence.
• And we stick around with ongoing support to keep things running smoothly.

Whether you’re moving from Umbraco 7 end of life or upgrading from a more recent version, you’ll be working with one of the most trusted Umbraco partners in the world.

Don’t Leave It Too Late

With Umbraco 17 just around the corner and older versions reaching end of life, now’s the time to act. Migrating early means less stress, fewer risks, and a website that’s ready for the future.

Want to get started? As an Umbraco Platinum Partner, ClerksWell is perfectly placed to help you plan your Umbraco upgrade and make the move to Umbraco 17.

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