Understanding Umbraco Partnerships: Gold vs. Platinum

Should you choose an Umbraco Gold Partner or an Umbraco Platinum Partner?

The right tools and partners make all the difference in web development. Umbraco, a popular open-source content management system (CMS), offers a fully loaded partnership program with top-notch services for users. Understanding the program, particularly the differences between its Gold and Platinum levels, can guide your choice in selecting the best development partner for your needs.

Choosing the right Umbraco partner is important for the success of your web development projects. The ideal partner brings technical expertise, and also brings a deep understanding of the Umbraco CMS so that your website runs as it should. This choice can affect the quality of your Umbraco projects in a big way, from initial development to ongoing support and maintenance.

Umbraco partners make available a wealth of experience and knowledge. They can navigate complex problems, provide innovative solutions, and make sure your Umbraco website is scalable, secure, and user-friendly. You can turn your vision into reality with the right web development partner.

Umbraco Partnership Levels

Umbraco's partnership program has different levels to recognize and support agencies that excel in Umbraco web development. These partnerships signal the agency's expertise and commitment to quality and their involvement in the Umbraco community. Each level provides specific benefits and requirements to help clients identify the best fit for their project. They offer the following levels (from highest to lowest):

• Platinum Partner
• Gold Partner
• Silver Partner

Agencies must meet several criteria to become Umbraco partners. You need a strong track record of successful Umbraco projects as well as certified developers on your team. You should also be participating in the Umbraco community, such as by contributing to forums, attending and hosting events, and developing plugins for the CMS.

As partners, agencies gain access to resources like technical documentation and priority support in addition to exclusive training opportunities. They also enjoy higher visibility in the Umbraco ecosystem, which builds reputation and attracts clients looking for skilled and reliable developers.

But what is the difference between the Gold and Platinum partnerships?

Gold Partnership Features and Benefits

Achieving Umbraco Gold partner status is a significant milestone for any agency. It provides many benefits. But to achieve Gold status, one must fulfill certain requirements.

Criteria for Achieving Gold Partner Status

To become a Gold partner an agency must:

• Demonstrate proficiency in Umbraco CMS use and Umbraco web development
• Complete basic certification for their developers
• Show active involvement in the Umbraco community
• Present a portfolio of successfully completed Umbraco projects
• Provide client testimonials or case studies
• Commit financially with an annual fee

Key Benefits for Gold Partners

The main benefits are:

• Access to Umbraco’s resources and support: Agencies get direct access to technical documents, forums and support channels. That enables you to quickly resolve issues and stay informed of new developments. You can offer clients better solutions.
• Involvement in the Umbraco community: Gold Partners contribute on forums, attend events, and share knowledge. This fosters an environment that benefits all users. It also means that Gold Partners are always aware of new developments and best practices.
• Basic certification for developers: Developers at Gold Partner agencies complete basic certification so they possess the skills and knowledge to deliver high-quality Umbraco projects. The process includes training on the latest features and practices.

Platinum Partnership Features and Benefits

Platinum Partnership represents the peak of Umbraco’s partnership program. Agencies at this level offer superior capabilities and enjoy exclusive benefits that can be passed on to its partners and clients.

Criteria for Achieving Platinum Partner Status

To be an Umbraco Platinum Partner an agency must go beyond the Gold criteria. You need:

• Advanced certifications
• A proven track record and significant portfolio of successful Umbraco projects
• Engagement and high influence in the Umbraco Community
• Demonstrate the ability to handle complex and large-scale projects with highly skilled developers and project managers
• Detailed case studies and client success stories on delivering exceptional results using Umbraco
• A more substantial financial commitment

Superior Capabilities and Benefits for Platinum Partners

As a Platinum Partner with Umbraco, agencies gain access to a range of superior capabilities and benefits that set them apart from the competition. These exclusive advantages empower these partners to deliver top-tier solutions and play a crucial role in the Umbraco community. Below are some of the key benefits Platinum Partners are offered:

• Advanced access to Umbraco resources and priority support: Platinum Partners get priority support from Umbraco for the fastest response times and more comprehensive assistance. They also gain next-level access to exclusive resources, which enables them to deliver the best solutions for their clients. This priority support can be very helpful in mission-critical situations where downtime or delays can have major effects.
• Additional certification and training requirements for developers: Developers at Platinum Partner agencies undergo rigorous certification and training programs, so they stay at the forefront of Umbraco technology and best practices. These training programs are intensive and cover topics that surpass the basics to ensure the highest level of delivery and expertise.
• More collaboration with Umbraco HQ on thought leadership and content. : Umbraco Platinum Partner agencies work closely with Umbraco HQ to provide more content, webinars, and even speaker sessions to help grow the Umbraco community and network. This content helps to inform the community, showcase the unique and scalable ways that Umbraco can be implemented, and bring the latest features and news to a wider audience. 

Comparative Analysis: Gold vs. Platinum

The differences in benefits and capabilities are clear when comparing Umbraco Gold and Platinum. While Gold offers solid expertise and support, Platinum brings additional value through advanced resources, priority support, and proven expertise with the Umbraco CMS..

For example, Platinum Partners  provide the highest level of expertise with the Umbraco CMS, so you can ensure you are getting the highest level of support from an expert agency and the full weight of their partnership with Umbraco HQ. Additionally, developers' advanced certifications make it possible to tackle more complex challenges with better outcomes for an Umbraco website.

Picking an Umbraco Platinum Partner, in practical terms, means going with an agency that can offer you the highest level of service and support. Their superior skills and early access to new features ensure that client projects are as up-to-date as possible.

Benefits of Choosing Marcel Digital as a Platinum Partner

When you choose Marcel Digital as a Platinum Partner, you benefit from unparalleled expertise and access to exclusive Umbraco resources. Our commitment to excellence and proven track record ensure that your projects will not only meet but exceed expectations. Here is why our clients choose Marcel Digital:

• Higher proficiency and access to exclusive Umbraco resources: Our Platinum status gives us access to the newest Umbraco features, high-touch support, and exclusive resources. This proficiency translates to superior service for clients. You can resolve issues faster, take advantage of feature updates, and sleep soundly knowing that your project is being handled by a top-tier partner.
• Successful projects: We have a reputable portfolio of winning projects. Check out some of our latest client success stories:

• • iManage
  • Paylocity
  • Medius

These and the rest of our web development case studies, demonstrate our ability to deliver outstanding Umbraco solutions. Our client testimonials demonstrate our professionalism, skills and tangible benefits on their businesses.

• Added value and superior service: Marcel Digital offers superior expertise and support. Clients can count on creative solutions, rapid issue resolution, and a high level of involvement in their projects. Our team works closely with clients to understand their needs and develop custom solutions so that every project meets or exceeds expectations.

Partner with a Leading Umbraco Web Development Agency

Knowing the differences between an Umbraco Gold Partner and an Umbraco Platinum Partner enables you to make informed decisions about your web development needs. Marcel Digital’s recent step up to Platinum status highlights our progressive capabilities and commitment to delivering premier Umbraco web development services.

For more information, you can browse Marcel Digital’s Umbraco services, read about our Platinum Partner status, or contact us. Check out our case studies for real-world examples of what we can do.