For many organizations, 2026 will be a decisive year. As the end of support for Kentico Xperience 13 approaches in December 2026, the question is no longer if you should migrate to Xperience by Kentico — but when. And because a migration is far more than a technical upgrade, a well-structured budget becomes essential. Teams that start planning early reduce risks, secure capacity, and avoid costly last-minute compromises.
Migrating from Kentico 13 is not a one-click operation. It requires rethinking content structures, adjusting data models, rewriting custom code, validating integrations, and preparing editors for an entirely new ecosystem. Based on Bluesoft’s experience, the most successful projects follow a clearly defined framework — from strategic preparation through design and implementation to continuous post-launch development. Organizations that treat migration as a full digital initiative usually save significant time and money.
What a Kentico Migration Really Involves?
1. Strategic Analysis (the most underestimated phase)
This is where most savings are generated. The analysis defines:
- which content should be migrated, simplified, or removed,
- what needs to be reworked to align with current business goals,
- whether redesigning the website during migration makes sense,
- how the migration affects SEO, localization, and multilingual setups.
A strong analytical foundation prevents unnecessary content transfer and lowers implementation costs.
2. Solution Design (architecture, UX, integrations)
Once the content structure is defined, the next steps include:
- designing the information architecture,
- preparing UX concepts, wireframes, or prototypes,
- mapping all existing integrations (CRM, ERP, e-commerce, MA),
- deciding which integrations to migrate, rewrite, or sunset.
For complex platforms, integrations can often be reused — but only if properly reviewed in advance.
3. Implementation & Testing
This is where the quality of the original project becomes visible.
- Structured content can often be migrated automatically.
- Custom widgets, modules, and integration layers typically require a full rewrite for Xperience by Kentico.
- Extensive functional, visual, performance, and security testing is essential, especially when frameworks are updated.
4. Post-Go-Live Development
Migration is the starting point — not the finish line. To fully leverage Xperience by Kentico, organizations should plan for:
- onboarding editors and marketers,
- analytics and reporting setup,
- continuous optimizations,
- personalization and feature enhancements.
💡 Migration marks the beginning of a new digital era for your website — not the end of one.
What Drives the Cost of Migration?
1. Level of Customization
Projects with heavy custom code, unique modules, or proprietary features require more effort. Standard implementations with native Kentico features are faster and cheaper to migrate.
2. Number & Complexity of Integrations
Simple APIs require minimal work.
Complex integrations with authentication, synchronization, or automation often represent a significant part of the budget.
3. Volume & Type of Content
A small website ≠ the same effort as:
- thousands of pages,
- hundreds of components,
- large media libraries,
- multilingual architectures.
Larger platforms also require detailed SEO audits to protect organic traffic.
4. Redesign During Migration
Many organizations find a redesign cost-efficient during migration. When templates and structures are already being rebuilt, upgrading UX generates long-term value and reduces future maintenance costs.
5. Licensing Model (SaaS vs. Self-hosted)
Each licensing option affects infrastructure, operational costs, and overall TCO:
→ Learn more about licensing in our article Kentico Licensing – Ideal for Businesses of All Sizes.
How to Smartly Plan Your 2026 Budget?
✔ Start Early
Late decisions lead to rushed estimates, limited delivery capacity, and higher costs.
Begin planning at least 12 months in advance.
✔ Build on Clear Strategy
A solid analytical foundation ensures:
- more accurate estimates,
- faster implementation,
- reduced risks.
✔ Use Phased Budgeting
A transparent, segmented approach helps:
- spread investments over time,
- manage capacity efficiently,
- adjust project pace based on priorities.
✔ Include a Contingency Buffer
Older systems often hide technical debt. A buffer protects you from unpleasant surprises.
✔ Don’t Underestimate Post-Launch
To benefit from automation, personalization, and modern content workflows, continuous development is essential.
Conclusion
Migration from Kentico 13 to Xperience by Kentico is a strategic investment that opens the door to a modern digital environment, stronger security, and more efficient content and marketing operations. The success of such a project depends on a solid analysis, realistic budgeting, and an experienced technology partner.
Bluesoft is a digital agency specializing in custom web platforms, e-commerce solutions, and digital applications. For more than 16 years, we have been a Kentico Gold Partner and rank among the most experienced implementation teams in the region. We also deliver projects on Kontent.ai and Umbraco, enabling us to support a wide range of digital transformation needs.
We drive the digital growth of mid-size and enterprise clients such as Škoda Auto, Sazka, and E.ON. Our solutions regularly receive Kentico Site of the Year awards, confirming the high quality of our work. We are part of the BIQ Group, which brings together more than 460 experts and has delivered over 1,500 projects.
👉 Considering migration or need a budget consultation?
Send us a message via our contact form — we’ll help you navigate the entire process from strategy to development and post-launch growth.
