Building a website is just the beginning of your digital adventure! The real challenge comes with ongoing maintenance – think updates, enhancements and security. Luckily, this is where we shine!
When you’re on the lookout for developers, consider choosing a team you can partner with for the long haul. An experienced agency can offer significant advantages over freelancers, especially for complex Umbraco projects. We're excited to share some best practices to keep your digital project running smoothly!
Your Website is Like a High-Performance Race Car
Imagine you’ve just acquired a sleek, high-performance race car engineered for speed and precision. It looks stunning, and you can’t wait to take it for a spin. However, owning such a powerful machine comes with responsibilities. To keep it running at peak performance, you need to check the oil regularly, rotate the tyres, and ensure that all systems are functioning flawlessly. Skipping these maintenance tasks could lead to engine troubles or even a breakdown on the track.
Similarly, your website is a fine-tuned machine that requires ongoing maintenance to keep it running smoothly. Just as a race car is susceptible to wear and tear from high speeds, your website faces challenges like outdated software, security vulnerabilities, and performance issues. If you neglect these aspects, your site may slow down and become a target for cyber threats. With regular check-ups and timely upgrades, you can ensure that your website continues to perform at its best, driving traffic and engagement like a champion on the racetrack!
That’s why good maintenance is absolutely essential. Here are some key practices to keep in mind:
Boost Your Website’s Performance
Fast load times are key to keeping visitors happy. Implement smart caching strategies and optimise your images to speed things up without sacrificing quality. Consider using a Content Delivery Network (CDN) to efficiently distribute content and reduce latency.
Streamlining your website’s code and improving server response times will keep everything running smoothly. Your audience will thank you!
Don’t Put Off Those Upgrades!
While it might be tempting to jump on every new CMS release, it’s not always the best move. With Umbraco, it’s crucial to understand the difference between Long-Term Support (LTS) and Short-Term Support (STS) versions before making any decisions.
LTS versions are perfect for sites that prioritise stability, while STS versions are for those focused on continuous development. For instance, if you’re using Umbraco 13, you can comfortably wait to upgrade until Umbraco 17 rolls out in 2025, even though several versions will be released in between. Since Umbraco 13 will be supported until the end of 2026, there’s no rush! However, if you’re still on an older version like Umbraco 8, which is phasing out soon, it’s time to start planning your upgrade. We’re here to help you find the best path forward! Of course, there are always minor version upgrades that provide bug fixes or stability enhancements, so it is also worth upgrading the LTS versions where you can.
Test Those Forms After Any Changes
Umbraco Forms is a fan favourite, and contact forms are a staple on most websites. If your site uses multiple forms, it’s super important to test them thoroughly after any updates. You can do this manually or with automated scripts, but don’t skip this step! A broken form can mean missed leads, and nobody wants that!
Keep Your Packages and Extensions Fresh
Your Umbraco system isn’t the only thing that needs attention – don’t forget about the various packages and extensions that enhance its functionality! Whether it’s for e-commerce, marketing, SEO, or content editing, these tools from the vibrant Umbraco Community or Partners can really boost your site. Be sure to check the package page regularly and make sure everything is up-to-date and marked as “green.”
Compliance with Industry Standards
Staying on an outdated version of Umbraco can lead to compliance issues, especially regarding data protection regulations. Upgrading Umbraco helps ensure that your website adheres to the latest industry standards and practices, reducing the risk of non-compliance penalties and enhancing your organisation's reputation.
Access to New Features and Functionality
Umbraco upgrades frequently introduce a variety of new features designed to enhance user experience and streamline site management. These include things like webhooks for better integration capabilities, enhanced media delivery APIs, and improved content editing tools. By upgrading, you can take advantage of these innovations, making your site more dynamic and user-friendly.
Make Security a Top Priority
With the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats, upgrading Umbraco is crucial for maintaining robust security. The latest versions often include hardened security measures, support for the latest encryption standards, and timely security patches. This proactive approach helps protect your site from vulnerabilities that could be exploited in older versions, safeguarding both your data and your users' information.
Partner with an Umbraco Expert Agency
Don’t go it alone! Instead of relying solely on individual specialists or freelancers, choose a dedicated agency with a team of certified Umbraco developers. A specialised team will provide ongoing maintenance, prevent unnecessary delays, and spare you the stress of unresolved website issues.
As an Umbraco Silver Partner, Koola Digital not only builds exciting new digital projects from the ground up but also focuses heavily on upgrades, feature enhancements, and ensuring the long-term stability of Umbraco projects. We’d love to chat about how we can support your new or existing project AND keep it thriving!
