Still Using Joomla 3? Why You Need to Upgrade to Joomla 5 or Joomla 6

If your website is still running Joomla 3, it is now operating on an unsupported content management system. Joomla 3 officially reached End of Life in August 2023, and the temporary Extended Long Term Support program ended on 17 February 2025. This means Joomla 3 no longer receives security updates, bug fixes or official development support.

Joomla 6 is now the current major version of Joomla, while Joomla 5 remains supported. The most appropriate upgrade path will depend on your website's existing template, extensions, custom functionality and overall condition. Regardless of the final destination, remaining on Joomla 3 is no longer a safe long-term option.

What Does Joomla 3 End of Life Mean?

When software reaches its End of Life, its developers stop providing ongoing security patches, bug fixes and compatibility improvements. The website may continue to operate, but the risks and maintenance difficulties increase over time.

The fact that a Joomla 3 website is currently working does not necessarily mean it is secure, compatible or reliable.

1. Increased Security Vulnerabilities

New security vulnerabilities continue to be discovered in website software. Because Joomla 3 no longer receives security updates, newly identified vulnerabilities may remain unpatched.

Older components, modules, plugins and templates may also have been abandoned by their developers. This can give attackers additional opportunities to access the website, create unauthorised administrator accounts, inject malicious code, redirect visitors or upload unwanted content.

2. Google Rankings and Search Visibility

A compromised website can affect more than the website itself. Attackers commonly create hidden spam pages, add unwanted links, redirect visitors or inject content advertising unrelated products and services.

Google may detect this hacked or spam-generated content and reduce the website's visibility in search results. Affected pages may rank lower, disappear from search results or be flagged as potentially unsafe. Security warnings can also discourage potential customers from visiting the website.

Even after a compromised website has been cleaned, it can take time for Google to recrawl the site, recognise that the problem has been resolved and restore its previous visibility. Preventing a compromise is generally far easier and less expensive than recovering from one.

3. Compatibility Problems

Website hosting technology continues to move forward. Newer supported PHP versions, database software, browsers and server security systems are designed around modern website platforms.

Older Joomla 3 websites may rely on outdated code that becomes unreliable or incompatible as the server environment is updated. This can result in broken pages, website errors, failed forms, missing features or complete website downtime.

4. Outdated Extensions and Templates

Many developers have discontinued Joomla 3 versions of their extensions and templates. This means replacement parts and technical support are becoming increasingly difficult to find.

An extension that works today may stop working after a server change, hosting update or third-party service update. Without a supported replacement, repairing the website may require more extensive redevelopment.

5. Performance and User Experience

Modern Joomla versions include improvements to performance, accessibility, mobile compatibility, code quality and website administration.

Older websites may load more slowly, be harder to manage and provide a less reliable experience for visitors. These issues can result in potential customers leaving the website before making an enquiry or completing a purchase.

6. Higher Long-Term Costs

Delaying an upgrade does not usually avoid the cost. It often postpones it until the website experiences a serious problem.

Emergency security investigations, malware removal, website restoration, extension replacement and search engine recovery can cost considerably more than a planned upgrade. In some cases, the website may be too outdated or extensively compromised to repair economically and may need to be rebuilt.

Can You Continue Using Joomla 3?

Technically, a Joomla 3 website may continue operating for some time. However, continuing to rely on it is similar to driving a vehicle that can no longer be serviced or supplied with replacement parts. It may continue running, but the risk of failure increases and resolving problems becomes progressively more difficult.

Remaining on Joomla 3 exposes your website and business to:

• Unpatched security vulnerabilities
• Website hacking and malicious content injection
• Damage to Google rankings and search visibility
• Security warnings that may discourage visitors
• Compatibility problems with newer hosting technology
• Unsupported templates and extensions
• Unexpected website errors or downtime
• Higher costs for emergency repairs and recovery
• Potential damage to customer confidence and business reputation

Why Upgrade to a Supported Version of Joomla?

Upgrading to a supported version of Joomla provides a safer and more reliable foundation for your website.

• Ongoing Security Updates: Known Joomla vulnerabilities can be addressed through official security releases.
• Improved Compatibility: Modern Joomla versions are designed to work with current PHP versions, hosting environments, browsers and third-party services.
• Better Performance: Updated code and caching systems can improve website speed and efficiency.
• Modern Website Features: Newer Joomla versions provide improvements to website management, accessibility, workflows and user experience.
• A Stronger SEO Foundation: A secure, fast and technically healthy website provides a better foundation for ongoing search engine optimisation.
• Reduced Risk of Search Damage: Keeping the website secure reduces the likelihood of hacked pages, malicious redirects and spam content affecting Google visibility.
• Easier Ongoing Maintenance: Supported software is easier to update, troubleshoot and maintain.

An upgrade does not automatically guarantee higher Google rankings. However, remaining on an unsupported and potentially vulnerable platform can place existing rankings at risk.

Should Your Website Be Upgraded to Joomla 5 or Joomla 6?

Joomla 6 is now the current major version of Joomla, while Joomla 5 remains supported. However, not every Joomla 3 website can be moved directly to the newest version without additional work.

The recommended destination will depend on:

• The template or page builder currently being used
• The availability of compatible extension versions
• Any custom programming or template overrides
• Connections to external platforms and services
• The website's PHP and database requirements
• Whether Joomla 5 is required as a transitional upgrade stage

Before starting the upgrade, we will assess the website and recommend the safest and most economical path. This may involve upgrading to Joomla 5, moving to Joomla 6 or rebuilding parts of the website where older systems can no longer be retained.

What Does the Upgrade Involve?

Moving a Joomla 3 website to a supported Joomla version is not normally a simple one-click update. It is a controlled migration process that may involve several upgrade stages.

1. Website Assessment and Backup

We will review the current Joomla installation, template, extensions, custom functionality and hosting requirements. A complete backup will be created before any migration work begins.

2. Controlled Upgrade Process

Depending on the current website, the migration may need to pass through several Joomla versions. Each stage must be completed carefully and tested before proceeding to the next version.

3. Template Review or Rebuild

If the existing template or page builder remains compatible, much of the current website design may be retained.

If the template is no longer supported, it may need to be replaced or rebuilt using a modern template system. We will aim to preserve the existing design where practical, or the upgrade can be used as an opportunity to refresh the website's appearance.

If a template rebuild is required, we will explain the available options and advise of any additional cost before proceeding.

4. Extension Updates and Replacements

Every installed component, module and plugin must be reviewed. Depending on the extension, it may need to be:

• Updated to a compatible version
• Reconfigured after the migration
• Replaced with a supported alternative
• Rebuilt where custom functionality is involved
• Removed if it is no longer required or supported

Some older Joomla 3 extensions no longer have a modern equivalent. Where this occurs, we will discuss the available replacement options with you.

5. Reconnecting External Services

External services may need to be reconnected, updated or retested following the upgrade. These may include:

• Google Analytics and Google Tag Manager
• Website monitoring systems
• Backup services
• Payment gateways
• Email and contact forms
• Newsletter platforms
• Social media integrations
• Third-party booking or database systems

6. Testing and Launch

Following the migration, we will test the website's pages, menus, forms, extensions, mobile layout and important functionality before placing the upgraded website online.

Cost Considerations

We understand that cost is an important consideration. The upgrade price will depend on the age, complexity and condition of the website.

• Standard Joomla Upgrade: Upgrade pricing starts from $330 for an eligible standard website.
• Hosting, Security & Maintenance Client Offer: Clients on our Hosting, Security & Maintenance Package may be eligible for a discounted upgrade price of $220 for a standard website.

The discounted price generally applies to standard informational websites that do not contain e-commerce functionality, extensive custom programming, specialised databases or a large number of unsupported extensions.

Many of our more recent Joomla websites are relatively straightforward to upgrade. However, some earlier websites were built using older template systems, extensions or development methods that are no longer compatible with current Joomla versions.

Before confirming the price or beginning work, we will assess the website. If additional redevelopment, extension replacement or template work is required, we will explain the issue and provide a revised price before proceeding.

Investing in a planned upgrade now can help avoid the considerably higher cost of emergency malware removal, website recovery, lost enquiries and rebuilding after a serious compromise.

Common Questions

Can I Leave My Website on Joomla 3?

You can choose to leave the website on Joomla 3, but ongoing support will be limited because the underlying platform is no longer supported or receiving security updates.

As server technology and third-party services continue to change, we may also be unable to guarantee that all Joomla 3 functions will continue operating correctly.

If My Joomla 3 Website Is Hacked, Will It Be Fixed Under My Maintenance Package?

Unfortunately, no. Our Hosting, Security & Maintenance Package does not include unlimited investigation, malware removal, restoration or rebuilding of websites that have intentionally remained on unsupported software after an upgrade has been recommended.

If an outdated Joomla 3 website is compromised, the security investigation, clean-up, restoration, extension replacement and migration work may be charged separately.

In most cases, the website will still need to be upgraded or rebuilt to address the underlying vulnerability. Simply removing the visible malware without updating the unsupported software may allow the website to be compromised again.

Will Upgrading Improve My Google Rankings?

An upgrade cannot guarantee higher Google rankings. Search performance depends on many factors, including content quality, competition, website authority, page speed and ongoing SEO work.

However, upgrading provides a safer and more technically reliable foundation. It can also help protect existing rankings from damage caused by hacked pages, malicious redirects, website downtime, poor performance and security warnings.

Can I Wait Until the Website Stops Working?

You can, but this is usually the most expensive and disruptive approach. Once a website has failed or been compromised, the work becomes an urgent recovery project rather than a planned migration.

Completing the upgrade while the existing website is still functioning gives us a better opportunity to preserve its content, design, data and existing features.

Next Steps

The first step is to arrange a Joomla upgrade assessment. We will review your existing website and confirm:

• Whether it should be moved to Joomla 5 or Joomla 6
• Whether the existing design and template can be retained
• Which extensions can be updated
• Whether any extensions need to be replaced
• Whether custom functionality requires redevelopment
• The expected upgrade cost
• Whether upgrading or rebuilding provides the best value

Ready to protect and update your website?

Contact DP Web Design to arrange an assessment and receive a confirmed upgrade recommendation and price.

Conclusion

Moving from Joomla 3 to a supported Joomla version requires an investment of time and resources, but the risks of remaining on an unsupported platform continue to grow.

A planned upgrade helps protect your website, customer information, Google visibility and business reputation. It also provides a more stable foundation for future updates, improvements and ongoing website support.

The longer the upgrade is delayed, the greater the likelihood that unsupported extensions, server compatibility problems or a security compromise will make the migration more difficult and expensive.