Crafting a website is just the start. Ongoing maintenance—updates, improvements, and security—is the next challenge; fortunately, it's also our bread and butter. When choosing developers, opt for those you can partner with long-term. An experienced agency has a clear edge over freelancers for complex Umbraco projects. We're here to guide you on the best maintenance practices for your digital project.
Imagine a newly built amusement park filled with rollercoasters, waterslides, and restaurants—everything designed to the highest standards and functioning perfectly. How long after opening do you think you'll need the help of maintenance staff? Most likely on the very first day. So why should it be any different for websites, which are equally complex systems and even more vulnerable to aging and malicious activity than physical structures?
Good maintenance is essential, and the following practices are the most important.
Imagine a newly built amusement park filled with rollercoasters, waterslides, and restaurants—everything designed to the highest standards and functioning perfectly. How long after opening do you think you'll need the help of maintenance staff? Most likely on the very first day. So why should it be any different for websites, which are equally complex systems and even more vulnerable to aging and malicious activity than physical structures?
DON'T DELAY UPGRADES
Despite what you may read elsewhere, it's not always advisable to immediately switch to the latest version of your CMS with every release. For example, with Umbraco, it's essential to understand the difference between the LTS (Long-Term Support) and STS (Short-Term Support) versions before deciding to upgrade.
LTS versions are typically favored by sites prioritizing long-term stability, while STS versions cater to projects focused on continuous development. A company using the latest LTS version, Umbraco 13, can delay upgrading until the release of Umbraco 17 in 2025, even though three other versions will be released in the meantime. Since Umbraco 13's End-of-Life is scheduled for the end of 2026, an immediate upgrade is not necessary. However, if you're still using an older version, such as Umbraco 8, whose support ends in a few months, it's wise to start preparing for the upgrade now. We would be happy to analyze your project and advise you on the most optimal upgrade path.
PAY ATTENTION TO WHETHER PACKAGES AND EXTENSIONS ARE UP TO DATE
The version of the system itself isn't the only thing worth paying attention to. Umbraco is a composable platform, and its functionality is often expanded through various packages and extensions—such as those for e-commerce, marketing, SEO, or content editing—provided by the diverse Umbraco Community or Partners. It's important to regularly check the package page to ensure that all system components are current and marked as "green."
TEST THE FORMS AFTER CHANGES ON THE SITE
Umbraco Forms is one of the most popular packages, and contact forms are a common functional element on every website. Many companies use multiple versions of forms on their sites, so after any deployment, it's crucial to perform a comprehensive test of this key element. Testing can be done manually or through automated scripts, but it cannot be overlooked. If a faulty form is missed and remains on the site, valuable leads may be lost even for a few days.
ENHANCE WEBSITE PERFORMANCE FOR QUICKER LOAD TIMES
Implement effective caching strategies and optimize images to reduce load times and maintain quality. Use Content Delivery Networks to distribute content and minimize latency efficiently.
With Umbraco 13, you can also incorporate lazy loading for images and other media to load only when they come into view, further speeding up initial page loads.
Streamline your website's code and reduce server response times to enhance performance even more. Focusing on these strategies will help your site run smoothly and meet your audience's demands.
PRIORITIZE SECURITY
To keep your Umbraco site safe, address common security issues like Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) and SQL Injection. For XSS, make sure all user inputs are checked and cleaned, use security settings to control what can be loaded on your site, and use secure cookies to protect user sessions. To protect against SQL Injection, use secure methods for handling data and set strict rules for who can access your database. These steps will help protect your site and its users from potential threats.
HAVE UMBRACO EXPERT AGENCY IN YOUR CORNER
Don't rely solely on individual specialists or freelancers. Opt for a specialized agency with a team of certified Umbraco developers with similar experience and qualifications. A dedicated team will provide continuous maintenance, prevent unnecessary delays, and spare you the stress of unresolved website issues.
As an Umbraco Silver Partner, we not only create new digital projects from scratch but also focus extensively on upgrades, feature enhancements, and ensuring the long-term stability of Umbraco projects. We'd be happy to discuss how we can support your project.
Our Umbraco Professionals will help you with maintaining your website. Give us a call.
