Time to switch platforms? Signs that the destination's website has done its job
Blog
2 min
Blog
2 min
Many destinations have a website that was built several years ago. It works, but every change takes time and costs money. Here we go through common signs that it is time to switch platforms and what a change can bring.
Four signs it's time to replace your website
The first sign often becomes apparent to content editors. If changing opening hours or publishing a new offer feels complicated, these updates tend to happen less frequently. Sometimes, the work ends up depending on a single person who knows the system or an external agency.
Another sign is that new features and integrations require extensive development work. This could involve a new booking module, an integration with the POS system or a separate website for part of the business. When every change becomes a project of its own, the list of postponed improvements keeps growing.
Costs are a third sign. Licence fees and upgrades can consume a large part of the website budget without adding anything new for guests. This is one of the most common reasons why organisations switch CMS platforms, something we explore further in Why many organisations choose to switch CMS.
The fourth sign is noticeable to guests. A slow website or one that performs poorly on mobile makes it harder to find information and complete bookings. For destinations where many guests plan their visits on their phones, this can ultimately affect how many book directly.
What switching platforms can offer
Switching platforms is also an opportunity to review the entire website. Its structure, content and booking journeys can be redesigned based on how guests use the website today. A modern CMS gives content editors greater independence and makes it easier to add new features and integrations over time.
Umbraco is one example. It's an open-source CMS with no traditional licence fees. With Umbraco Cloud, hosting and infrastructure are also managed through a cloud service.
At Toxic, we're an Umbraco Platinum Partner and have built Umbraco websites for destinations including Kläppen, Isaberg and Hooks Herrgård.
Of course, switching platforms requires a dedicated project and some work from content editors as well. That's why it's worth comparing different platforms and clearly defining your needs before making a decision.
A real-world example: Kläppen Ski Resort
Kläppen's previous website was built using Episerver, now known as Optimizely, and its licence was due to expire in 2026.
Ahead of the switch, Kläppen conducted a preliminary study together with an external partner. The study compared Optimizely, Contentful and Umbraco based on development opportunities, functionality, ease of use for content editors and infrastructure.
Umbraco and Umbraco Cloud were considered the best fit for both the technical and business requirements. Following a direct procurement process, Toxic was selected to deliver the project.
The new website gives content editors greater control over content and makes it easier to update and develop the website over time.
Lennart Stolpe, Marketing and Communications Manager at Kläppen Ski Resort, sums up the project:
"This has been the smoothest collaboration so far."
Thinking about switching platforms?
We help destination companies evaluate, migrate and build new websites using Umbraco.
Learn more about how we help destination companies and our expertise in Umbraco.
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