Unlocking the Future of Content Management with Umbraco 13
Umbraco 13 is here! This version introduces new features, such as Headless capabilities using Webhooks, lazy loaded content cache, Block Reuse and Block Level Variations. In this blog, we will be breaking down the new features of Umbraco 13 and how they can help create a seamless and efficient content management experience.
What are the new features of Umbraco 13?
Headless Capabilities with Webhooks
A headless CMS separates where content is presented (front-end) from where it is managed (back-end) so that they are connected through API, allowing the contents to be accessible for display on multiple devices but only written once. As they work independently, the term 'headless' represents that the front-end (head) does not directly connect to the back-end (body).
Unlike Umbraco 12, which introduced a headless API based on Open API, Umbraco 13 is planning to use Webhooks.
While API provides two-way communication between software programs through request-response progress, Webhooks (reverse API) react to content changes immediately, automatically pushing data to other systems and providing real-time information. This saves significant time, as users do not need to send a request each time which increases efficiency.
Lazy Loaded Content Cache
Umbraco 13 is becoming more enterprise-focused, as many sites contain more content. Lazy Loaded Content Cache is a technique that allows content to be loaded only when it is requested. Compared to the traditional 'cache all the things' method, it supports better memory management and benefits all sites with fewer resources allocated, making it more efficient and improving performance.
Block Reuse and Block Level Variations
Umbraco 11 introduced the Block Grid Editor, a tool that helps businesses create content quickly. It provides pre-built content blocks, formatting options, and a drag-and-drop function, enabling users with less technical background to create content. In Umbraco 13, the new concepts of reusing blocks and improving block-level variations are added.
Users can save time by reusing blocks across different instances of the block list and block-based grid. Offering more block variations increases the range of website content and provides greater freedom and flexibility, such as better support for multiple languages.
Long-Term Support and Release Cadence
For every Long-Term Support (LTS) version, Umbraco will run on the latest version of .NET as Microsoft releases it. Umbraco 13 will be released in December with a run on .NET 8.
LTS has 24 months of the support phase and 12 months of the security phase; STS has only nine months and three months, respectively. As Umbraco 13 is an LTS version, it will reach end-of-life in 2026, meaning your website will be secure for longer.
The introduction of the LTS version of Umbraco creates an easy upgrade roadmap. For businesses trying to reduce upgrade friction, upgrading from LTS to LTS is a smoother path, as the version is supported and secure for longer.
How ClerksWell Can Help
ClerksWell is an Umbraco Gold Partner with over 25 years of experience as a digital agency. We specialise in helping businesses achieve their digital goals with the latest technologies.
We can help companies upgrade to the correct version of Umbraco for their digital needs, keep them compliant with the latest web standards, and ensure their websites remain relevant and practical. With our expertise and experience, we can help businesses thrive on new initiative CMS.
Want to learn more about how ClerksWell works with Umbraco projects? See our case studies.