From Umbraco 9 to 17: Modernizing Without Starting Over

Overview

Techxot approached the Umbraco 9 to 17 upgrade as a structured modernization programme rather than a simple package update. Techxot, an Umbraco Development Partner, approached the Umbraco 9 → 17 Upgrade as a methodical modernization program rather than a simple package update. The goal was to preserve business functionality while updating code, dependencies, and connectors to the more modern Umbraco 17 LTS and .NET architecture.

This Umbraco CMS upgrade features code modernization, dependency updates, compatibility testing, and SEO validation to grow the platform without necessitating an unnecessary rebuild.

The Challenge

• Established content and business functionality needed to remain intact.

• Custom code and integrations could be affected by framework and API changes.

• Third-party packages required compatibility assessment.

• SEO, URLs, and publishing behaviour needed regression protection.

• The client wanted modernization without an unnecessary rebuild.

Upgrade Philosophy

Upgrade the platform. Don't unnecessarily rebuild the business.

• Preserve — valid content and business functionality.

• Adapt — code and integrations affected by platform changes.

• Replace — dependencies and implementation patterns that no longer provide value.

Approach

1. Technical Audit

We reviewed the .NET target, NuGet dependencies, packages, controllers, services, notifications, property editors, backoffice extensions, APIs, templates, configuration, and integrations.

2. Dependency & Compatibility Matrix

Packages were categorized as compatible, requiring an upgrade, requiring replacement, no longer required, or needing custom refactoring.

3. Code Modernization

APIs, dependency injection, published-content access, configuration, notifications, search, templates, and custom services were reviewed and aligned with the target architecture.

4. Content & Regression Validation

Content, media, relationships, publishing state, forms, permissions, and workflows were checked alongside front-end rendering, navigation, search, and integrations.

5. SEO Validation

URLs, redirects, canonical handling, metadata, sitemap, robots directives, internal links, and 404 behaviour were tested as part of the upgrade.

Outcome

• Umbraco 17 LTS foundation.

• Modernized .NET platform and dependencies.

• Reduced technical debt.

• Improved maintainability.

• Extended supported platform runway.

• Existing business value retained without an unnecessary rebuild.

Key Impact

• Umbraco 17 LTS

• Modernized Codebase

• Lower Technical Debt

• Upgrade Without Rebuild