A web portal is a secure, interactive platform that gives users personalized access to data, forms, and services often integrated with systems like Dynamics 365. Unlike a traditional website, which is mostly informational, a portal enables two-way communication and self-service capabilities for customers, partners, staff, or members.

Absolutely. Our portals support secure form submissions, service requests, file uploads, and other interactive features making it easy for users to engage with your organization and streamline internal workflows.

Yes, we specialize in migrating legacy portals including Sitefinity, The Portal Connector, and custom-built systems to modern, secure, and scalable platforms. We preserve key functionality while improving performance, user experience, and integration with systems like Dynamics 365.

Yes. A portal can be implemented into most Dynamics 365 configurations with minimal disruption, leveraging your current data and workflows.

Yes, portals can be fully customized to reflect your organization’s branding. This includes applying your logo, colors, fonts, and design elements to ensure a consistent look and feel across all digital touchpoints. For more advanced needs, custom layouts, interactive components, and responsive design can be implemented. Vertical Lift has extensive experience delivering branded portal experiences that align with each client’s identity and user expectations.

Generally speaking, yes the portal technologies are mobile friendly. However care must be taken when creating the site to ensure responsive design best practices are followed.

The Portal Connector is a third-party portal solution built on Sitefinity that connects to Dynamics 365 using web services, offering high flexibility in design and integration. Power Pages, on the other hand, is Microsoft’s native low-code portal platform for Dataverse, tightly integrated with the Power Platform and offering seamless authentication, security roles, and customization within the Microsoft ecosystem.

Choosing between The Portal Connector and Power Pages depends on your needs. Power Pages is ideal if you want a fully integrated, low-code solution within the Microsoft ecosystem with native Dataverse security and governance. The Portal Connector may be a better fit if you need more design flexibility, advanced CMS features, or if your team is already familiar with Sitefinity. Your decision should be based on your organization’s technical requirements, budget, and long-term portal strategy. We can help you make an informed decision on the best solution for your situation.

An organization might choose a custom portal solution when off-the-shelf options like Power Pages or The Portal Connector can't meet specific business needs. Custom solutions offer greater flexibility in user experience, integration with third-party systems, branding, and unique workflows. They’re ideal for complex scenarios that require full control over functionality, performance, or data presentation.
At Vertical Lift, we've developed our own custom portal framework and have successfully used it to deliver secure, scalable portals for non-profits tailored to their unique operational and reporting needs.

Vertical Lift has been working with The Portal Connector since 2017 and has deep experience managing upgrades across a wide range of environments. We understand the challenges that can arise such as breaking changes, deprecated features, and compatibility issues with Sitefinity or Dynamics 365. Our team follows proven processes to assess, plan, and execute upgrades efficiently, ensuring your portal remains secure, stable, and ready for future growth.

Portal costs can vary depending on the technology used, level of customization, integration complexity, and ongoing support needs. Factors include licensing fees (if applicable), initial development, data integration, branding, and hosting. Custom portals may have higher upfront costs but offer greater flexibility and long-term value. At Vertical Lift, we work closely with clients to define a solution that fits their budget, and we offer cost-effective options tailored to non-profits and mid-sized organizations.

Hosting and domain setup can be managed in several ways, depending on your organization’s preferences. For Power Pages, hosting is fully managed by Microsoft within the Azure cloud, providing built-in scalability, security, and compliance. You can configure a custom domain through the Power Pages admin center.

For other portal solutions, you can choose to host the portal on your own infrastructure, through a cloud provider like Azure, or have Vertical Lift manage hosting on your behalf. We also assist with domain setup - whether using your existing registrar or registering a new domain to ensure your portal is secure, accessible, and aligned with your organization’s branding.

Yes, your team can absolutely update the portal content and make routine changes without relying on costly support. We design our portals with user-friendly content management tools that empower non-technical staff to manage pages, text, images, and documents with ease. Whether it's publishing news, updating contact details, or adding new resources, your team stays in control. For more complex changes like new features or integrations, Vertical Lift is always available to assist when needed but day-to-day updates are designed to be simple and self-managed.