Umbraco Open Source ASP.NET CMS Review
There are a large number of CMSs to choose from when you are getting ready to design a new website. Umbraco has consistently proven to be one of the better Open Source .NET CMS options. However, because of the way that it is designed, getting everything set up is a little different than with other CMS options on the market. It is designed with developers in mind, which means that it will take a little extra effort to get it up and running. Additionally, depending on how well versed you are with the .NET framework, there can be a steep learning curve. Fortunately, once you understand how it works, using it is very easy. Here is a closer look at some of the primary features that Umbraco offers as well as some of the potential drawbacks.
Umbraco Advantages
1. All About Customization
Umbraco was designed to be a very customizable solution. This is made possible because it isn't a “plug in play” solution, unlike many other popular CMS solutions such as Wordpress, Joomla, and Drupal. The creator, Niels Hartvis, notes that the goal of Umbraco isn't necessary to be the perfect solution for everyone, but rather has the ability to be the perfect solution. It does take some time to learn the ins and outs of this CMS, but once you have gotten over the learning curve, the possibilities are endless. If you are already fairly fluent in .NET and common website design languages, then the learning curve will be fairly small.
2. Unique Tools
Umbraco Courier is a unique toll that was designed to streamline the process of moving your website into a live environment once all of the staging has been completed. It also allows you to sync up with other environments and add new functionality as well.
Another great tool is Concierge. This tool is used by developers to see what is currently installed as well as what is currently in use. To do this, it also monitors action handlers as well as third party tools. This way you always know what is working within your site.
3. Training and Support
The available training and support is based upon what type of package you purchase. It can range from minimal support to a guaranteed 48 hour response time. What seems to be even more useful than the support system that is offered is Umbraco.tv. You can get a subscription to Umbraco.tv which offers more than 8 hours of video tutorials. These videos are designed for all types of people including editors, developers, and website builders. This subscription can be done annually or monthly, it is all up to how quickly you become comfortable with Umbraco. However, many business have found value in these videos because it allows them to teach employees how to use the system without spending on in-house resources training them.
Potential Umbraco Drawbacks
There seems to be two primary drawbacks that could determine whether or not this is the right CMS for you.
1. Designed For Developers
While this is it's biggest benefit, it can also become its biggest drawback. If you are just looking for a simple, straightforward CMS to set up a website quickly and without much effort, then Umbraco is not the CMS for you. If you are primarily a publisher, then there is a good chance that you may get frustrated fairly quickly and move on to another option.
2. The Premium
Like many open source CMS .NET options, Umbraco is both open-source as well as commercial, depending on what you need. While there is more and more documentation available, if you are sticking with the open-source option, then there are several very helpful tools that you will be missing out on. For example, both Umbraco Courier and Concierge are premium tools that only come with a pro license.
In the end, as both an open-source and commercial CMS, Umbraco has quickly become a dominant force in .NET landscape. If you already have a strong understanding of .NET or don't mind getting through the potentially steep learning curve, then could definitely reap the rewards in the long run.
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