Umbraco Version History and Features

Umbraco Versions throughout the years

Umbraco has Version 4, Version 6, Version 7, Version 8, Version 9, Version 10, Version 11, and the latest one Version 12.

Let us talk about Version 4.

Released in 2009, version 4 was a significant milestone in the journey of Umbraco CMS. It introduced an interface that was fully revamped, more intuitive and easier to access for users. There was a cleaner, more modern interface for creators, editors, and admins.

A hierarchical structure was introduced and simpler navigation to manage larger websites with excessive content.

Version 6

Released in 2012, this version focused on improving developer productivity. They introduced a default template engine which brought greater flexibility along with simplicity in template development. They also introduced the Grid Layout that provided visual interface for the content editors to organize content in a grid.

Next year, Version 7 was released.

It completely redesigned the back-office interface and offered a more streamlined as well as visually appealing work environment. The responsive design allowed access and management of content from any device.

This version also included improvements in performance, scalability and multilingual support.

Again in 2012, Kentico 7 came out with features like Accessibility Validator, Advanced Mobile Device Detection, Amazon S3 Integration, Banner Management, Data.com Connector, GeoIP (MaxMind GeoLite database), Marketing Automation, Mobile Layouts, Mobile Preview, Native MVC Support, On-site Editing, Security Policy, Team Development, Translation Management, Visual Rule Designer, Wireframes, and Visual Workflow Designer.

In 2019 came Version 8

This one focused on modern technologies and one of the notable features was strongly typed models for content that would be generated automatically. Manual mapping between the content and code was eliminated and thus development time was reduced, and code quality was improved.

This version also allowed editors to make changes directly to the front end of the website through a simplified editing process.

Umbraco Version 9 offered better cloud compatibility along with enhanced security. This version also incorporates the headless approach and enables developers to use Umbraco as a headless CMS to deliver content over multiple channels.

Version 10 has introduced SQLite support, as well as running on the latest version of .NET technology. Version 11 has improved editing features, decoupled dependencies as well as enhancements in cleanup and performance.

The latest version 12 launched this June 2023 introduces a new content delivery API and EF Core Support./p>

Meanwhile in Version 12 there were features such as Page Builder, Widgets, Content Personalization, Form Builder, Smart Forms, E-commerce Business API, and MaxMind GeoIP2 Geolocation Database Support.

Some of the key features in these versions of Umbraco

1. The Content Apps feature allows the developers to extend the back-office with custom functionality.
2. It supports headless architecture and enables the developers to decouple the frontend layer from the backend layer. This allows flexibility and scalability in websites and also allows the developers to leverage modern frontend frameworks and technologies.
3. Umbraco has a robust media library for managing your digital assets such as images and videos. It also supports image resizing and cropping and ensures optimal performance.
4. Umbraco also offers a built-in workflow engine to collaborate smoothly for reviewing and making content changes. Along with that, there is also a functionality for versioning to track and revert different versions of the content. This provides a safety net for content changes and ensures integrity in the content.
5. The flexible templating system enables the developers to create templates that can be reused for maintaining consistency in the design and the layouts across the website.

Conclusion

Umbraco is constantly evolving and working towards enhancing user experience and bringing convenience. It has a history of versions and evolutions making it a user-friendly as well as powerful content management system.

With each release they have introduced new features, performance improvements, enhancements and created it to be so attractive that developers and content creators now prefer Umbraco CMS.

The foundation was in version 4 but from there to the latest Version 12, it has had a long journey of latest advancements as Umbraco continues to evolve and adapt to the ever-changing tapestry of web development.

It provides a robust platform that allows you to build dynamic websites and exceptional user experiences that are scalable and flexible. The CMS has consistently given priority to user experience and developer productivity. Whether you are a developer who is looking for a flexible platform, or a content creator who is in search of intuitive editing capabilities, Umbraco offers a very comprehensive solution.

Maulik Dudharejia - Co-Founder & CMO - ADDACT

Sitecore MVP 3X || Digital Transformation Strategist || Marketer

Maulik Dudharejia is a visionary author, co-founder, Chief Marketing Officer, and a digital transformation expert with over 12+ years' of experience. He leverages industry certifications to translate complex tech concepts into engaging writing. His areas of expertise include Sitecore, IoT, and IT Service Management. Maulik offers valuable insights and strategies to help readers navigate the evolving tech landscape.