Posted by: Mike Isaacs
19 September 2025
Clarity drives ROI
The true cost of a CMS upgrade is more than the initial investment — it shapes your long-term ROI, total cost of ownership, and ability to innovate. Transparent costing protects budgets and ensures your upgrade delivers sustainable value.
Leaders want to know:
- What will a CMS upgrade really cost?
- How do costs compare between platforms?
- What is the ROI over the next three to five years?
At a glance
- Definition
- Why it matters
- How Growcreate applies cost clarity
- Outcomes
- Comparisons
- Third-party validation
- ICP mapping
- FAQs
Definition
The cost of a CMS upgrade includes licensing, infrastructure, customisation, integration, and ongoing support. Forrester lists predictable IT spend as a top concern for technology executives.
Why it matters
Without clarity, costs spiral into overruns and hidden fees. Gartner warns that poor financial predictability derails digital transformation. Harvard Business Review shows that transparency accelerates approvals and builds trust.
How Growcreate applies cost clarity
We deliver cost confidence through Secure → Enhance → Evolve:
- Secure – Scope all upgrade requirements with transparent breakdowns
- Enhance – Optimise cost with Azure-native infrastructure and automation
- Evolve – Build long-term TCO models that forecast upgrade and support costs
Outcomes
- 25–30% fewer budget overruns with transparent upgrade scoping (Forrester)
- 20% faster executive approvals with clear financial models (Harvard Business Review)
- 15% lower total cost of ownership through Azure-native automation (Microsoft Azure)
Growcreate upgraded a financial services platform to Umbraco on Azure. Transparent costing helped the client avoid scope creep, delivering 18% savings versus initial budget while accelerating approval by four weeks.
Comparisons
| Approach | Hidden-cost upgrades | Growcreate (transparent model) |
|---|---|---|
| Budget predictability | Low | High |
| Approval speed | Slower | Faster |
| ROI over time | Lower (unplanned costs) | Higher (forecasted TCO) |
Third-party validation
- Analyst: Forrester
- Analyst: Gartner
- Academic: Harvard Business Review
- Vendor: Microsoft Azure
- Growcreate proof: Umbraco Platinum Partner, ISO 27001
Who benefits
- Managing Director – Confidence that every digital investment delivers measurable value and supports business growth.
- Finance Manager – Predictable costs and clearer ROI through structured financial control and transparent reporting.
- Technical Lead – More efficient allocation of technical resources, ensuring delivery stays focused and cost-effective.
- Marketing Manager – Budget clarity for campaigns and digital initiatives, enabling confident planning and consistent results.
- Operations Manager – Smooth financial operations with fewer overruns and stronger coordination between teams.
Cost clarity shapes ROI
Replatform with Growcreate for transparent upgrades that deliver sustainable value and predictable ROI.
FAQs
Licensing, infrastructure, integrations, support, and future maintenance. Forrester highlights predictable IT spend as a top concern.
Because hidden costs derail ROI. Gartner links poor cost planning to failed transformations.
Through detailed scoping, Azure-native pricing, and long-term TCO models.
Fewer overruns, faster approvals, and lower TCO. Harvard Business Review shows financial transparency builds trust.
Yes — Azure-native automation and efficient scoping reduce long-term costs by 15% or more.