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Kentico 13 to Kentico XbyK: Choosing the Right Migration Pathway

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Since Xperience by Kentico (XbyK) is built on an entirely modern, future-focused platform, the shift from Kentico Xperience 13 isn’t a straightforward upgrade. Instead, it’s a strategic replatforming, an opportunity to refresh outdated foundations, strengthen long-term resilience, and enhance how your organisation delivers digital experiences to its audiences.

 

In this article, we’ll explore the potential migration pathways that could potentially be the best fit with your organisation's vision and goals.

 

Three Migration Pathways, Choose the One That Fits Your Vision

Every organisation is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Kentico outlines three clear pathways, depending on your goals and complexity.

 

1. Like‑for‑Like Migration “Move Now, Improve Later”

Ideal if you want to minimise disruption and get onto supported technology quickly.

 

    • Move content and templates using Kentico’s Migration Tool
    • Rebuild essential functionality in XbyK
    • Keep layout and design mostly consistent

 

Best for:
Tight timelines, limited budgets and resources, or teams wanting stability first.

 

2. Modernise & Improve “Use This Moment to Level Up”

Perfect for organisations ready to transform their digital experience.

 

    • Restructure content for XbyK’s flexible Content Hub
    • Retire outdated features
    • Improve governance and workflow
    • Enhance personalisation and customer journeys

 

Best for:
Organisations planning new initiatives or experiencing friction in current content processes.

 

3. Phased Evolution “Transform in Stages”

Designed for large or complex digital estates.

 

    • Run KX13 and XbyK side‑by‑side
    • Migrate key sections gradually
    • Introduce headless or hybrid delivery over time

 

Best for:
Enterprise organisations, complex integrations, or multi-year roadmaps.

 

How to Prepare: Your First Steps Toward Success

A successful migration isn’t about speed, it’s about clarity and readiness.

Based on Kentico’s guidance, here’s how to set yourself up for a smooth transition:

 

    1. Audit your current site — content, templates, modules, integrations, workflows.
    2. Define your future needs — what stays, what goes, and what your new experience should achieve.
    3. Create a roadmap — phased milestones and early setup of your XbyK environment.
    4. Consult your partner agency on the Migration Tool — it reduces manual work but still needs thoughtful planning.
    5. Prepare for redevelopment — custom modules may need rebuilding in XbyK’s modern framework.

 

Do this well, and you’ll emerge with a digital experience that’s faster, smarter, and far easier to scale.

 

What Success Looks Like

When organisations complete the shift, they see clear improvements:

 

    • Smoother, more empowering editorial experiences
    • Stronger governance and workflow consistency
    • Faster performance and enhanced security
    • Content that adapts easily to future channels
    • The freedom to innovate continuously, without disruptive upgrades

 

This is the foundation modern marketing teams need.

 

The Deadline Is Near, But the Opportunity Is Even Bigger

Kentico’s 2026 end-of-life date is approaching fast. But the real story isn’t the urgency, it’s the opportunity.

 

Migrating to XbyK positions your organisation for:

 

    • Faster marketing delivery
    • Better customer experiences
    • A more resilient digital foundation
    • Continuous evolution, not periodic overhaul

 

If you want your digital ecosystem to grow, scale, and compete, now is the time to act.

 

Ready to Future‑Proof Your Digital Experience?

Our Kentico experts can help you choose the right migration pathway, build your roadmap, and move with confidence.

 

Let’s make your next digital chapter your strongest yet. Our team of Kentico experts will be happy to help you with your migration strategy: Get in touch

 

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