6 Advantages of Using Drupal Over Other Content Management Systems
When it comes to open-source content management systems, developers have their choice of platforms, with several widely used contenders. While each may have their pros and cons, Drupal offers some distinct advantages over other options, which has made it a favourite for many developers.
Let’s begin by saying that Drupal may not be the best CMS for everyone. Unlike some of the other options, Drupal has a steep learning curve and requires a degree of computer skill that may not be possessed by those who are just dabbling in web design. The payoff, however, is the ability to create highly customized websites and apps, with features that may not be available with some of the other CMS options.
Let’s discuss some of the advantages of using Drupal as your CMS.
SEO
Drupal offers a number of built-in SEO friendly features and customizable modules that let allow you get the most out of your SEO. Some of the most popular modules include:
• The Drupal SEO Checklist – this module provides an in-depth analysis of your website and provides actionable feedback as to which SEO criteria your website is meeting, and areas that need attention.
• The Pathauto module – creates readable, clean URLs, a preferred feature of many search engines, including Google
• XML Sitemap – the module makes it easier for search engines to gather information about your website, which can help boost your rankings
• Metatag module – helps to automate the process of adding search engine friendly meta tags and title tags to the header of your webpage
As far as CMS platforms go, few others offer the SEO functionality that Drupal does.
Community
Behind the success of Drupal is a large community of developers all dedicated to making Drupal better through contributed modules and online discussion forums. Despite that fact that this platform is free to use, you’ll never suffer from a shortage of online support.
Flexibility
Drupal offers developers the freedom and flexibility to create without limits. Straight out of the box, Drupal comes with some pretty impressive core modules that can accommodate the needs of a vast array of websites and applications. However, with close to 50,000 available contributed modules, and the ability to create customized features, there is literally a module to meet any demand.
User Experience
Drupal has recently introduced updates aimed at providing a stronger user experience. Newer releases have made it easier for individuals of all abilities to modify and develop better UX, without the skills of a dedicated developer. Some notable improvements include:
•Layout Builder – a drag-and-drop feature that makes it simpler for content editors to quickly create and customize visual layouts for content
• The Claro admin theme – a redesigned theme which provides improved website admin tools, a cleaner look, and more straightforward configuration.
Security
When it comes to the management of sensitive information, security is a vital but often overlooked component in web design. Possibly it’s most standout feature, Drupal offers security features that far surpass those of its closest competitors. In addition to an in-house team of highly skilled security experts, Drupal’s large community of users, developers, and designers ensures that both core and contributed modules are constantly under intense scrutiny, with entire teams dedicated to weeding out any potential areas of concern.
Scalability
Drupal offers a high-performance, future ready CMS that is uniquely positioned to grow with your business. Whether you need to operate multiple websites off one Drupal installation, or want to introduce new features to an existing site, Drupal’s flexible API architecture allows it to power websites of all sizes without fear of performance-related problems. Even when under high-traffic related stress, Drupal websites are able to deliver consistent performance at top speeds.
There is no one-size-fits-all tool when it comes to content management systems. However, for those with the right skill set, Drupal offers unparalleled access to a wide range of modules, features, and a vast community network that make it the preferred framework for many developers.