Umbraco has been cited as a primary CMS platform in the MemberWise Digital Excellence Report 2026.
The platform is the choice of medium and large membership organisations to develop websites and digital experiences that help them to retain and attract new members and grow revenue.
Memberwise report 2026
The findings were shared, following a statistically significant survey of the UK membership and association sector.
MemberWise represents 8,000 professionals working for over 2,500 UK membership organisations and associations, including Chartered Institute of Marketing, British Medical Association, Royal College of Nursing, and the IET.
The annual Digital Excellence survey asks decision-makers in the membership sector about their key priorities, challenges, strategies, and investments in digital technologies.
This is the fifth successive year that Umbraco has been the number one web content management system cited by medium and large membership organisations, when asked about their CMS platform selection.
The report notes a pressing requirement for the sector to engage, retain, and grow memberships, to counter rising costs, so that membership bodies can continue delivering services online and offline.
Report author, Richard Gott, MemberWise Network Founder and Chair, said: “Growth is now a requirement for all membership bodies and this is increasingly dependent on delivering engaging and value-driven digital journeys and experiences.”
“This is why the report focuses on the performance of websites, digital publications, apps, and the technologies that membership organisations and their digital agencies are selecting to create those experiences.”
“Over the past five years, we have observed membership organisations and associations adopting more sophisticated content management systems to optimise, and increasingly personalise, online member journeys, engagement, experiences, and purchases,”
Key findings
- New member acquisition, engagement and growth continue to be key priorities for membership organisations, along with growing revenue from non-subscription activities, such as conferences and continuous professional development.
- The largest 100 membership bodies in the UK are now spending £250 million per year on digital technologies and web-based solutions
- Umbraco is the CMS most commonly used by medium-sized membership bodies (£1.5m-£3m annual membership income), and large membership bodies (£3m+ annual membership income).
- More membership bodies than ever before are satisfied with their CMS (+18%) and are now spending between 2% and 5% of total annual budgets on related technologies
- Association Management System/CRM and website integration continues to increase (+5%), while the time taken to integrate has reduced.
- More membership bodies are measuring engagement via website/member portal activity
- 59% are using their CMS to personalise members’ online experiences, and an increasing number are using interest areas and location to further personalise content
- Adoption of AI-powered website functionality has increased by 21% over the past two years
Jacob Howell, Umbraco UK Partner Manager, said: “We’re delighted to see that the majority of medium and large membership organisations continue to choose the Umbraco CMS platform to support their member acquisition, engagement and revenue growth.”
“This is testament to our digital agency partners including Cantarus, Wattle, Bluelight and MSQ DX, who turn membership organisations’ ambitious digital strategies into exceptional digital experiences.”