INTRODUCTION
Recently, TYPO3 released its latest version, TYPO3 v12, packed with new features and better performance. Many are excited to update their websites to this new version.
Upgrading your TYPO3 website is vital to keep it secure, efficient, and up-to-date with the latest features. But it’s not something to rush into. Without careful planning and precautions, an upgrade can cause unexpected problems and downtime. In this article, we’ll look at the best ways to upgrade your TYPO3 website safely.
Facts & Figures
According to T3Versions (https://www.t3versions.com/) upto May 19, 2023 a Total of 230798 TYPO3 sites are active in the WWW. Check out the TYPO3 version Analysis here.
Believe it or not, most TYPO3 websites haven’t switched to the newest version, TYPO3 v12, yet. So, if you own a TYPO3 website and want to upgrade to TYPO3 v12, you’re in the right spot. Stay with us for more details.
Why Upgrade Your TYPO3 Website?
Before we dive into the best practices, let’s briefly discuss why upgrading your TYPO3 website is essential:
- Security: Older TYPO3 versions may have vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit. Upgrading ensures you have the latest security patches.
- Performance: Newer versions often come with performance improvements, ensuring your website runs smoothly and efficiently.
- Features: TYPO3 regularly introduces new features and enhancements. Upgrading allows you to take advantage of these improvements.
- Compatibility: As technology evolves, so do browser standards and server software. Upgrading TYPO3 ensures compatibility with these changes.
Update Vs Relaunch
Before you decide to upgrade your TYPO3 website, it’s a good idea to consider whether it might be better to either upgrade TYPO3 or completely rebuild your site using the latest technology and standards. To help you make this decision, you can think about the following things.
1. Current Website Status
- Content Quality: Evaluate the quality and relevance of your current website’s content. If the content is still valuable and accurate, it may make sense to update rather than relaunch.
- Design and User Experience: Consider the overall design and user experience of your website. If the design is outdated or if users are complaining about navigation issues, a relaunch might be necessary.
2. Technology and Performance
- Outdated Technology: If your website relies on outdated technologies that are no longer supported or secure, a relaunch might be the only viable option.
- Website Speed: Check the loading speed of your website. Slow-loading pages can result in high bounce rates. If performance is a problem, a relaunch might be needed to optimize it.
- Mobile Responsiveness: Ensure that your website is mobile-responsive. With the increasing use of mobile devices, having a responsive design is crucial. If your current site isn’t mobile-friendly, a relaunch is often the best solution.
3. Budget
- Budget: Consider your budget for the project. A relaunch often requires more resources and investment than updating an existing website.
4. Timing
- Urgency: Evaluate the urgency of the changes. If there’s an immediate need to address critical issues, you might opt for updates before planning a relaunch.
5. Business Goals and Strategy
- Business Objectives: Align your decision with your current business objectives. If your business is going through a major shift in strategy or branding, a relaunch may be necessary to reflect these changes.
- Long-term vs. Short-term: Consider whether your decision is based on short-term goals (e.g., fixing minor issues) or long-term objectives (e.g., rebranding for the next decade).
Ultimately, the decision to update or relaunch your website should be based on a thorough assessment of these factors, taking into account your specific goals, constraints, and priorities. It’s often helpful to consult with web development and digital marketing experts to make an informed decision.
TIPS If you have an old TYPO3 version, like v4, v6, or even v7, and your content and page layout are outdated and minimal, we recommend choosing the option to relaunch your site. This way, you can start fresh with a newer, more budget-friendly approach that incorporates modern standards and structures
Now, let’s move on to the best practices and precautions for a successful TYPO3 website upgrade.
Prerequisites Before Upgrade
Before you begin upgrading your TYPO3 website, it’s important to gather the necessary information and ask yourself some questions to ensure the best outcome and a smoother process. Take a look at the following points.
TIPS You can simplify this analysis process by using the "ns_ext_compatibility" extension, available at https://extensions.typo3.org/extension/ns_ext_compatibility. This extension can save you time by quickly assessing the compatibility of your extensions.
Feature & Function Analysis
Take a close look at every feature and function on your current website. Try to understand if each one will work smoothly after the upgrade or if there will be any big issues. Figure out what needs to be done to ensure that each feature keeps working as it should.
- Compatibility Check: Determine whether the existing features and functions are compatible with the target TYPO3 version you plan to upgrade to.
- Extension Dependencies: If certain features rely on extensions, ensure that these extensions are compatible with the new TYPO3 version.
- Deprecated Features: Check whether any features or functions you currently use are deprecated or removed in the new TYPO3 version.
Technical Analysis
A skilled technical person or a TYPO3 developer should carefully examine the current site’s structure to decide if upgrading to the latest TYPO3 version is possible and practical.
1. TYPO3 Version: First, check the current TYPO3 version. Is it quite old? Typically, upgrading TYPO3 works best when you’re moving up to a version within the previous two generations. For example, if your TYPO3 site is on version 9 or 10, upgrading to version 11 will likely be smoother compared to upgrading from version 4 or 6 to version 11. The latter can bring many technical challenges and hurdles, increasing both the cost and time required for the upgrade.
2. Server Compatibility: Next, assess whether your server is properly configured to support the new TYPO3 version and all its features. If your server isn’t compatible or lacks support for the new features, your efforts might be in vain.”
3. Understand Your Current Setup: Have a clear understanding of your current TYPO3 setup. This includes the TYPO3 version you’re currently using, the extensions and plugins installed, and any customizations or modifications you’ve made to your site.
4. TER Extensions Analysis: Take a close look at all the TER (TYPO3 Extension Repository) extensions that are installed in your setup. Categorize these extensions as follows:
- Unused Extensions: Identify extensions that are no longer necessary for various reasons such as:
- The extension is disabled and not actively used on the site.
- TYPO3 already provides built-in features that duplicate the extension’s functionality.
- The extension has become obsolete and serves no purpose on the site.
- Compatible Extensions: Highlight extensions that are compatible with your targeted TYPO3 version.
- Non-Compatible Extensions: List extensions that are not compatible with your targeted TYPO3 version. For each non-compatible extension, consider the following:
- Check if there are existing solutions or updates available to make these extensions compatible.
- Determine if it’s possible to make the extension compatible with reasonable effort.If not, explore if there are alternative extensions available that can replace the existing features.
- Assess whether it’s necessary to develop a completely new custom extension to maintain the existing functionality.
Evaluating these questions will help you estimate the required time and effort for the extension-related aspects of your TYPO3 upgrade
5. Custom Extensions analysis: Custom extensions are a bit difficult to handle during the TYPO3 upgrade. If you are the author of the extension then maybe it’s a bit easy for you to understand all the features and future compatibility. But if you are not the author then you have to perform the following to calculate the efforts.
- Code Review: Conduct a thorough code review of the extensions
- TYPO3 Core Compatibility: Ensure that the extension’s codebase is compatible with the new TYPO3 core.
- PHP Compatibility: Verify that the extension’s code is compatible with the PHP version required by the new TYPO3 version.
- Database Compatibility: Check if the extension interacts with the database in a way that is compatible with the new TYPO3 version.
- Extension Dependencies: Identify if your custom extensions have dependencies on other extensions. Ensure that these dependencies are also compatible with the target TYPO3 version.
- Deprecated Features: Determine if your custom extensions rely on features or functions that have been deprecated or removed in the new TYPO3 version. These features may need to be replaced or updated.
Evaluate Custom Code and Templates
If you’ve customized your TYPO3 installation with custom code or templates, review them to ensure they’re compatible with the new TYPO3 version. You may need to make adjustments.
PHP Version Compatibility
Thinking about the PHP version is really important when you’re upgrading TYPO3. TYPO3 uses PHP for its inner workings, so you have to make sure that your TYPO3 setup can work with the PHP version that the new TYPO3 version needs.
Using the latest PHP version is also good because it can make your website faster and more secure. But, when you update PHP, you might face some challenges like:
- Changing the basic structure of your site.
- Updating custom code and the way your website looks.
- Check if the extensions you use are compatible with the new PHP version.
So, you should check all of this carefully to make sure your upgraded TYPO3 website works well with the latest PHP version.”
List out Dependencies
Make a list of all the things your website depends on, the possible problems you might encounter, and any threats you can think of. Try to find solutions or answers to these issues. Then, decide if it’s possible to achieve all the features and functions you need through the upgrade process.
Time Estimation
To estimate the time needed for the TYPO3 upgrade process, you should consider various tasks, including:
- TYPO3 Upgrade Process
- Templating Changes
- Changes to Basic TYPO3 Structure
- Updating Compatible TER Extensions
- Updating or Replacing Incompatible TER Extensions
- Custom Extension Compatibility
- PHP Latest Version Compatibility
- Data Migration (if needed)
- Thorough Testing of the Entire Website
- SEO Improvements
- Speed and Performance Enhancements
- Migration and Setup on the Staging Server
Adding up the hours required for each of these tasks will give you an estimate of the total time needed for the upgrade. This estimate can be expressed in terms of hours, days, or even months, depending on the complexity and scale of your TYPO3 website and the specific requirements of your upgrade. It’s essential to allocate sufficient time for each task to ensure a successful and smooth transition.
Budget Estimation
Based on the technical analysis, feasibility assessment, and time estimation we’ve gathered, you can now determine the total budget required for your TYPO3 website project. The actual budget can vary depending on the technical agency you choose to work with. Different agencies have different pricing structures based on factors like their region, expertise, and organizational setup.
TIPS The budget analysis will also assist you in deciding whether to opt for a TYPO3 upgrade or a complete relaunch of your website. If your existing TYPO3 version is very old, like TYPO3 v4 or v6, the required efforts, hours, and budget may be substantial. In such cases, if your website is relatively small, it might make sense to consider a complete relaunch as a cost-effective solution.
Allocate Sufficient Time
Upgrading TYPO3 can be a time-consuming process, especially if you have a complex site. Ensure that you allocate enough time for planning, testing, and executing the upgrade without rushing.
During Upgrade
Assuming you’ve completed all the necessary analysis and decided to proceed with a TYPO3 upgrade instead of a relaunch, here are some essential tips to ensure a smooth and successful upgrade process for the best possible outcome.
- Backup Your Website: Before you start, make a complete backup of your current TYPO3 website. This includes all files, databases, and settings. This backup is your safety net if anything goes wrong during the upgrade.
- Adapt to the Latest Structure: As mentioned earlier, update the basic setup to meet current standards. For example, consider moving from a non-composer-based installation to a composer-based one.
- Handling Custom Code and Templates for the Latest TYPO3 Version: When working with older sites, you might encounter challenges but don’t worry. Stay calm and use your debugging skills. Focus on finding solutions and seek community support for major hurdles.
- Update Content and Data: Ensure that you update your site’s content and data during the upgrade process. It’s vital not to lose any data. Every piece of data is important.
- Clear Error Logs: Regularly check TYPO3’s error logs during the upgrade process. Resolve and clear all warnings and errors to achieve the best final result.
- Speed and Performance Checklist: After completing the upgrade, don’t forget to address speed and performance issues. Implement all necessary optimizations to ensure a fast and smooth experience for your website visitors.
- SEO Checklist: Upgrades can sometimes impact SEO. You must follow essential SEO steps, such as migrating extension-based “real_urls” content to TYPO3’s default speaking URLs. Maintain old URLs or set up proper redirects. Managing old redirects may be challenging, but it’s crucial for maintaining overall SEO performance.
- Test in a Staging Environment: Never upgrade directly on your live website. Create a staging environment that replicates your live site and perform the upgrade there. This allows you to test the process, and identify and fix issues, ensuring your live site remains unaffected.
TIPS Maintain open communication with stakeholders and superiors throughout the upgrade process. This keeps everyone informed and helps address major issues and solutions efficiently, keeping the upgrade on track.
Post Upgrade
After completing the TYPO3 upgrade process, there are several important steps and considerations to ensure a smooth transition and successful post-upgrade operation.
By following these steps and maintaining a proactive approach, you can ensure that your TYPO3 website operates smoothly and effectively after the upgrade, delivering a positive user experience and meeting your business goals.
- Communication Plan: If your website has users or customers, communicate with them in advance about the upcoming upgrade. Inform them of any potential downtime and what to expect.
- 1:1 Testing: After the upgrade, thoroughly test your website in the staging environment to identify and address any post-upgrade issues. This includes checking for broken links, missing content, or performance problems.
- Go Live Planning
- Plan the actual moment of going live with the upgraded website.
- Choose a time when website traffic is typically low to minimize the impact of any potential issues.
- Ensure all necessary resources are available, and team members are ready to respond quickly if any problems arise.
- Backup and Rollback Plan: Have a backup of the upgraded website and a clear rollback plan in case you encounter critical issues after going live. This is your safety net.
- User Training: If there are significant changes in the user interface or functionality, consider providing training or documentation to help users adapt to the new system.
- Bug Tracking and Resolution: Establish a system for tracking and addressing any post-upgrade bugs or issues reported by users.
Post Deployment
Once your upgraded website is deployed to the production server, it’s important to continue following some key steps to ensure a trouble-free operation for your real business These ongoing practices will help you ensure that your website continues to run smoothly and safely, without unexpected issues affecting your business.
- Performance Testing & Monitoring: Regularly check how your website performs and fix any issues that could slow it down or affect its functionality.
- Regular TYPO3 Security Updates: Keep your TYPO3 software up to date with the latest security patches. This not only includes bug fixes but also essential security improvements.
- User Feedback: Ask your users to share their thoughts on the upgraded website. If they report any problems, address them promptly.
- Regular Backups: Maintain a routine schedule for making backups of your website’s data and settings. This is important for data security.
IMPORTANT: Data Migration
During a TYPO3 upgrade, there can be changes in how data is stored or used. This might mean moving old data to fit the new way things work. Here’s what you should do.
- Find the Changes: First, figure out what’s different. Understand how the database or content elements have changed from the old TYPO3 version to the new one.
- Make a Plan: Once you know what’s different, create a plan. This plan should cover how to update all the relevant parts of your website, like content elements and pages.
- Keep Data Safe: While making these changes, always make sure your data stays safe and available for the entire website.
This way, you can smoothly transition your data to work with the upgraded TYPO3 version.
Conclusion
Upgrading your TYPO3 website can be a transformative experience, but it requires careful planning and execution. By following the best practices and precautions outlined in this article, you can minimize risks and enjoy the benefits of an updated and secure website.
Remember, each upgrade is unique, and challenges may arise. Flexibility and a well-thought-out strategy will go a long way in ensuring a successful TYPO3 website upgrade.
If you have any questions or need assistance with your TYPO3 upgrade, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team of experts. We’re here to help you make the most of your TYPO3 website.
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