ExpressionEngine & Craft CMS Version Upgrades

Running an older version of ExpressionEngine or Craft CMS is one of the most common risks facing businesses that depend on their website. Security vulnerabilities go unpatched, add-ons fall out of support, and the gap between your current version and the latest release widens until an upgrade becomes a major project rather than a routine task.

Karl Bowers has carried out upgrades across every major version of ExpressionEngine and Craft CMS since 2007. He understands the complexity involved, particularly for sites with bespoke add-ons and custom functionality, and approaches every upgrade methodically to ensure nothing breaks in the process.

What this service includes:

• Full audit of the existing installation before any upgrade work begins, identifying all add-ons, custom code and potential compatibility issues.
• Upgrades from any version of ExpressionEngine or Craft CMS through to the current release, including multi-step version paths where required.
• Add-on compatibility work, including rewriting or replacing add-ons that are no longer maintained or compatible with the target version.
• Template and front-end updates required as part of the upgrade process.
• Thorough testing on a staging environment before any changes go live on the production site.
• Post-upgrade support to deal with any issues that emerge after the upgrade is live.

Common questions:

My site is on a very old version of ExpressionEngine, is it still possible to upgrade?

Yes. Karl has upgraded sites from ExpressionEngine version 2 right through to the current release. Older installations often require more preparatory work, particularly around add-on compatibility, but a staged upgrade approach makes even large version gaps manageable.

Will my site look and work the same after the upgrade?

The goal of every upgrade is to ensure the site continues to function exactly as it did before, with no visible changes to the front end unless specifically requested. All upgrades are thoroughly tested before going live.

How long does an upgrade typically take?

It depends on the version gap and the complexity of the site. A straightforward upgrade on a simple site can be completed in a day or two. Sites with bespoke add-ons, complex templates or a large number of version steps will take longer. Karl will give a realistic estimate after auditing the installation.

What happens to my custom add-ons during an upgrade?

Custom add-ons are one of the most important things to assess before any upgrade. Karl reviews all add-ons as part of the initial audit, identifies anything that is not compatible with the target version, and agrees a plan for rewriting or replacing them before the upgrade work begins.

Can the upgrade be done without taking the site offline?

All upgrade work is carried out on a staging environment first. The live site is only updated once everything has been tested and confirmed to be working correctly. Any downtime on the live site is typically very brief.

What if something goes wrong after the upgrade goes live?

Karl provides post-upgrade support as standard. If issues emerge after the upgrade goes live, they are dealt with as a priority. The staging testing process is designed to catch problems before they reach the live site, but Karl remains on hand to address anything that does arise.

Do you upgrade Craft CMS as well as ExpressionEngine?

Yes. Karl carries out version upgrades for both ExpressionEngine and Craft CMS, including upgrades involving significant platform changes such as the move from Craft 3 to Craft 4 or Craft 5.

Is it worth upgrading if I am planning to rebuild the site eventually?

In most cases, yes. An outdated installation creates security risks regardless of future plans, and a rebuild is rarely as imminent as it first seems. Upgrading the existing site keeps it secure and functional in the meantime, and does not prevent a rebuild happening later.