In This Blog

Your content management system forms the backbone of your digital marketing strategy, but if you're still using an outdated platform, it's hindering your ability to compete. In this blog, we'll discuss why maintaining a legacy CMS in 2026 is jeopardizing both your security and marketing efficiency, examine the costs of such an approach, and provide insight on how to minimize migration expenses and complexity.

Website works. That does not necessarily mean it works for you. 

Numerous marketing teams are set to enter 2026 with websites built on legacy content management systems (CMSs). Their sites continue to support business operations, generate leads, and deliver content. However, behind the scenes, these platforms often create inefficiencies, introduce limitations, and hinder the ability of marketing teams to evolve with the needs of the modern customer.

Kentico 13 (K13) users, in particular, should be mindful that the end of life (EOL) of this CMS version is set for December 2026.

However, there is more to this issue than Kentico-specific considerations. In any capacity, leaving an outdated CMS unaddressed can introduce serious risks for businesses in 2026 and beyond.

Quick Answer: What’s the risk of an outdated CMS?

An outdated CMS can cause significant issues for marketing teams, including slowed production, increased security risks, complicated maintenance, and an inability to keep up with modern search trends. Moreover, as artificial intelligence (AI) becomes the dominant force in how consumers search for information, websites must evolve to meet these changing dynamics.

Why your CMS really matters

A CMS is much more than the place where your website lives. It is, in many ways, the foundation upon which your marketing strategies are built. From landing pages to blog posts and website analytics, modern marketing relies on the CMS in ways that go far beyond basic publishing and content management.

As such, the challenges created by an outdated CMS can present themselves in numerous ways, some of which may seem completely harmless at first.

1. Your website becomes more challenging to maintain

An outdated CMS does not always fail rapidly. Instead, it often presents a series of small inconveniences that begin to add up over time. Landing page production slows, CMS updates take more effort, and new marketing initiatives take significantly longer to launch than anticipated.

2. Your security risks grow exponentially

A CMS that is no longer updated or maintained can create serious vulnerabilities for your website. Your marketing team may find itself dealing with security breaches, compromised data, damaged brand reputation, and wasted resources; not to mention disrupted campaigns and lost leads.

This threat is particularly relevant to K13 users.

3. Your ability to compete in search is compromised

The evolution of search continues at a rapid pace and shows no signs of slowing down. While Google continues to dominate the search engine market, AI-powered search models such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews are quickly gaining traction. All of these platforms rely on well-organized, properly structured content to provide relevant information and answers to consumer queries.

A CMS that is not conducive to AI search optimization may severely impact your website’s ability to compete in today’s search landscape, even when your content and SEO practices are strong.

4. Growth is severely limited

As your business grows, so do your requirements, and if you are using an outdated CMS, your website will not be able to keep up. You may find that new initiatives, such as launching products, collecting email leads, or integrating new technologies and approaches, are much harder to execute than before. In essence, your CMS becomes an obstacle to growth.

5. The longer you wait, the more expensive the transition becomes

It is entirely natural to want to postpone a CMS upgrade as long as possible. However, waiting to make the transition often renders it much more involved, complicated, and expensive. More information has to be migrated, more customization has to be reviewed, and more considerations have to be made within a shorter window. Additionally, waiting until the last minute can cause serious strain on both marketing and IT departments.

Instead, planning ahead and staying ahead of the EOL date allows for a more flexible, stress-free transition that can actually benefit the marketing team in the long run.

Moving forward: What does this mean for Kentico 13 users?

If you are a K13 user, it is time to start planning your next move. With the EOL date set for December 2026, waiting to make an upgrade decision will only put additional strain on your marketing team and IT department. Ideally, companies should begin the planning process right away and assess their options, including the possibility of an Xperience by Kentico (XbyK) migration, redesign of the existing K13 (or previous version) website, or a phased transition that spans several months.

This way, organizations can ensure they make the most suitable choice for their unique circumstances in terms of timing, budget, and long-term vision.

Migrating from one CMS to another does not always mean building a website from scratch

One of the biggest misconceptions about CMS migration is that it always involves launching a new, redesigned website. In reality, it can sometimes entail switching back-end technologies while leaving most aspects of the front end intact.

Depending on the unique circumstances of a company, K13 customers may choose to migrate to XbyK while preserving their existing Kentico design or take advantage of the transition to make improvements to their design and user experience.

Conclusion: Why should you upgrade your CMS?

What makes XbyK stand out as a preferred option for modern websites, and why are organizations choosing to migrate to this latest version?

Modern organizations require a powerful and flexible platform to maximize the value of their marketing initiatives and scale their growth. As a Kentico Gold Partner, experienced in helping organizations migrate from Kentico 13 CMS and earlier versions to Xperience by Kentico, CITRO understands your migration needs. 

Whether you are looking to migrate from K13 to XbyK or want to revamp your entire online presence, our team of experts is here to help you navigate the transition and set the foundation for future success. 

We assist companies in achieving a seamless migration to the XbyK CMS, with minimal disruption and the confidence of having a strategic plan in place for their digital transformation journey. After all, a website should serve today’s needs and grow with you in the future.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When does Kentico 13 hit end of life?

Kentico 13 is set to reach end of life (EOL) in December 2026. At that point, organizations should no longer rely on Kentico for product support, security updates, or bug fixes.

Do I have to redesign my website in order to migrate to Xperience by Kentico?

It depends on your specific circumstances and preferences. Some organizations opt to keep their existing design when migrating from the Kentico 13 to Xperience by Kentico CMS, while others use the transition as an opportunity to revamp their website’s design and overall digital presence.

Is a legacy CMS bad for SEO/AEO?

An outdated CMS can certainly be bad for SEO and AEO in the long run. However, standard and AI search success depends on numerous factors beyond the CMS itself, including the technical optimization of your website, its performance, and content relevance.

When is the best time to start planning a CMS migration?

The best time to plan a CMS migration is before your current CMS hits EOL and places your website and marketing operations at risk.