You wouldn’t use a rotary phone in 2025 - it might still technically make calls, but it’s hardly fit for modern life.
And yet, many websites are still running on platforms that, while not quite that old, are just as out of step with today’s digital expectations. If your site is still on Umbraco 8, 7, 6, or even 4 (yes, really), it’s likely struggling behind the scenes - with slow load times, poor mobile performance, and increasing security risks.
What does “end-of-life” actually mean?
When a version of Umbraco reaches end-of-life (EOL), the team at Umbraco HQ stops releasing updates, bug fixes and, crucially, security patches. That means if anything goes wrong or a new vulnerability is discovered – you're on your own.
Here’s where things currently stand:
Umbraco 8 – Reached EOL in February 2025
Umbraco 7 – EOL as of September 2023
Umbraco 6 – EOL since 2016
Umbraco 4 – EOL… let’s just say a while ago
So if you’re running on any version below Umbraco 9, you’re now officially outside of Umbraco’s supported product lifecycle — and that brings with it a whole host of risks.
So why do people delay upgrading?
Totally fair question. We hear a few common concerns again and again – and here’s our take on them:
“It still works – so why mess with it?”
Sure – it loads, you can still publish content, and no one’s screaming. But here's the thing: if your site was built on Umbraco 4, it probably wasn’t designed for mobile at all. Not just “not optimised” – we’re talking layouts breaking, buttons disappearing, users pinching and zooming just to read a heading.
And with over 60% of web traffic now coming from mobile, that’s a huge slice of your audience bouncing before they even get past the homepage.
“Upgrading sounds expensive”
We hear this a lot – and on the surface, it’s understandable. But here’s the truth: sticking with an outdated CMS usually costs more in the long run.
Legacy systems are harder to support. They need custom fixes, manual workarounds, and extra dev time just to keep things ticking over. Modern tools don’t integrate cleanly, so you end up duct-taping things together or losing out on automation altogether.
Worse still, if something does go wrong – a security issue, a compatibility problem, a plugin that suddenly breaks – there’s no official support to fall back on. That’s when the “cheap to maintain” myth unravels very quickly.
Upgrading to a modern version of Umbraco doesn’t just give you better tech – it reduces your maintenance overhead and frees you up to focus on actually growing your business, rather than propping up outdated tools.
“We're worried we’ll lose content or functionality”
Totally fair – but most websites that have been around for 5+ years are usually carrying a bit of digital clutter. Outdated features, bloated content, tools that no longer support how your users behave today – all of it adds up.
When it comes to migrating content, we can handle the heavy lifting. If you'd prefer a hands-off approach, we can take care of the migration and structure with minimal input from your side. That said, many clients find this is the perfect opportunity to step back, review what’s still relevant, and clear out what’s no longer serving the site.
We’ll help you:
- Optimise and streamline content
- Improve your SEO performance
- Create a clearer, more focused user journey
So you’re not just upgrading your platform – you’re reconnecting with your audience and giving them a better experience that drives more engagement and more enquiries.
“We just don’t have the time”
And hey – we get that too. But the truth is, legacy systems tend to eat up far more time over the long run. We can work with you to phase the upgrade around your team’s availability, and keep things smooth, light-touch, and distraction-free.
Why upgrading is 100% worth it
Aside from avoiding all the hidden risks, upgrading your Umbraco site opens up a whole load of new opportunities:
- A mobile-friendly experience that meets modern user expectations
- Faster performance and better SEO
- Built-in tools and integrations that save you time and effort
- A secure, supported platform that won’t break under pressure
- Flexibility to grow your site as your business evolves
So… is it time?
If you're on Umbraco 8, 7, 6 or 4, you're running on unsupported software. It might still be holding together – but it’s also holding you back.
We can help with:
- A no-fuss version check and health review
- Honest advice on risk, opportunity and timelines
- A tailored upgrade plan to get you where you need to be – without any faff
Your website should be an asset – not something you're afraid to touch. If it's running on legacy Umbraco, now’s the time to take the next step. And if you're not sure where to start, that’s exactly what we’re here for.
Let’s chat about upgrading – no pressure, just solid advice.
