Building a brand is a crucial component of every company plan. Although a brand isn’t truly a physical thing, it does define how your company expresses your beliefs and what it stands for.
Although you may spread such knowledge by shouting it from the rooftops, websites have traditionally been quite effective at doing so. Thankfully, frameworks like Drupal are designed to make the entire web building process simpler. If you hire the appropriate developers, that is.
Content Management System
The Content Management System (CMS) is a piece of software that keeps track of all the information related to your content (such as text, images, music, documents, etc.) and makes it accessible to website visitors. A CMS aids in editing, publishing, and changing the website’s content.
History
Dries Buytaerti created Drupal core, the default version of the content management system, in January 2001. It is regarded as a top CMS in several sectors.
Drupal
PHP-based Drupal is an open-source, free content management system. Although Drupal’s official website refers to it as a content management system (CMS), it shouldn’t be contrasted with more established CMSs like WordPress.
A content management system (CMS) is a piece of software that enables users to edit the website’s user interface without having any prior programming experience. Additionally, they don’t need to focus much on back-end development because a CMS would also take care of it.
However, many users of Drupal will assert that it is not at all a content management system. It is more of a framework where you may create a CMS to manage the requirements of your website.
Instead of working with a standard CMS, Drupal developers must have a thorough grasp of programming because Drupal is a framework.
This encourages greater independence than a CMS can often offer. This can be difficult for Drupal users who aren’t software developers. Drupal may be a revitalizing piece of software for true web developers.
Drupal is similar to a traditional CMS in that developers can quickly add & remove modules and access themes to alter the overall appearance and feel of a website.
The main benefit of using Drupal over the other web development platforms is its modularity for developers.
Drupal Developer
Drupal developers may create custom modules, automated tests, schedule deployments, and more. They are essentially PHP developers. These programmers must be very knowledgeable about the server-side scripting paradigm.
With sufficient PHP skills, Drupal developers may either create a brand-new Drupal installation or customize one of the many Drupal Distributions already accessible to them.
Drupal Site Builder
A Drupal site builder is a person who uses point-and-click navigation in the admin UI to create Drupal sites without writing a lot of or any custom code. I mention this because they may employ the occasional hook here and there. However, customizing Drupal core and contributed modules is where the majority of the site’s or application’s functionality comes from.
Site builders will be familiar with a variety of donated modules and be aware of how they interact to address a specific issue. They will be aware of the limitations of modules and have to be able to succinctly discuss the advantages and disadvantages of potential solutions.
The content kinds, categories, navigation, image presets, rules, etc. will be built by site builders. Drupal does not discriminate against non-developers, which is one of its many wonderful features. Without needing to be a coder, anybody may create creative and complicated websites with the help of the Drupal community and platform. And being an expert in this is a really useful talent in and of itself.
Drupal Themer & Frontend developer
The specialized front end developer is a Drupal Themer. They are specialists in Javascript, CSS, and HTML. In the Drupal theme layer, they are also authorities. They ought to be able to adapt a design into a workable theme. They should ideally be skilled in implementing responsive design.
Backend developer & Drupal module developer
Anyone who writes a large amount of PHP and other server-side languages is a Drupal developer. They produce bespoke modules, automate deployment, use online services, and perform automated tests. They might be referred to as “backend Drupal developers.” They could also participate in some of the theme layer’s more complex aspects. They frequently implement automated deployment.
A note on contributing and collaboration
Drupal is a project that is collaborative by nature. Themers, site builders, and module developers frequently collaborate with one another and give back to the community. It is typical for themers, site builders, and module developers to exchange and collaborate on contributed themes, contributed modules, and other types of documentation.
Why Use Drupal?
Among other content management systems, Drupal is distinguished by a few features. These traits provide the basis of a framework with all the features it needs.
Community
Since Drupal is open-source, a large community of Drupal developers who are prepared to assist one another exists virtually by definition. This happens in two ways: by asking for advice and by having resources available.
Like any community-based framework, Drupal offers developers and business managers a wide range of forums and conferences where they can network and get advice from other developers.
The same community serves as a gathering place for devoted contributors who produce practical and effective modules to support the growth of your project.
This is significant since you typically have to pay for significant features in the most robust CMSs. The same norms aren’t followed by open-source groups, and they don’t want to.
Robust
If you ever wanted to construct something a little more complex, the Drupal framework is strong and has the resources you need. The Drupal framework is purposefully designed with the ability to modify the system for these goals.
Drupal is regarded as the most adaptable CMS since it has modules that allow for maximum scalability. Your website may be conveniently customized to your tastes.
Full of features & highly customizable
Drupal is a fantastic CMS. It offers a user interface that makes it simple for you to produce and share your material. With fully customisable forms, the platform supports an infinite variety of content kinds, including text and audiovisual information. This content is constantly retrieved, filtered, and presented using robust yet user-friendly methods.
Additionally, there are simple-to-use tools for creating material and effective in-place editing capabilities. Drupal’s complex user role classification & permissions system regulates access to material and functionality.
Drupal’s entire administrative and user-facing functionality, including core functions like the ability to log in or generated content as well as dynamic picture galleries and intricate voting systems, is derived from modules. The “Drupal core” that you download from Drupal.org includes all of the most popular modules needed to construct a site, but there is also a wide selection of contributed modules that thousands of developers make freely accessible on Drupal.org.
A strong website construction platform is Drupal as well. Modern object-oriented programming techniques, best practices for PHP, HTML5, and YAML standards are all followed by Drupal. It also makes use of excellent web technologies like CKEditor, Twig, Symfony2, Backbone.js, and Guzzle. A wide range of add-ons in the form of modules & themes allow for the extension of functionality and total control over the design.
Advantages of Using Drupal
According to some WordPress supporters, Drupal’s main drawback is that it isn’t a genuine content management system. The final decision is yours, but bear in mind that many of Drupal’s drawbacks really work to its favor when creating a one-of-a-kind website.
Easy
Drupal isn’t going to be as simple to use as a conventional CMS like WordPress, that much is certain. Nevertheless, it will be simpler than creating anything entirely from scratch.
If you work with a qualified expert with technical knowledge, Drupal may offer the best of both worlds: A platform similar to a CMS that makes your web development needs simpler, and a framework to let you create a genuinely unique website.
Flexible
Custom development is how Drupal is intended to be used. Their modules are completely functional and free. They can also be changed to suit your preferences. Unlike a standard CMS, Drupal can handle large-scale, complicated projects if you need something that is scalable.
Functional
The flexibility of Drupal allows it to provide more sophisticated functions. Drupal features include taxonomies, content types, blocks, views, and more. Although there is a learning curve, your effort won’t go in useless.
Secure
Drupal offers enterprise-level security with in-depth security reports. Software that is open-source is typically more secure than software that is proprietary. Programmers work together to quickly correct faults and vulnerabilities that they discover.
Reliable
Some of the most reputable websites on the internet utilize Drupal for the reasons listed in this list of arguments for its adoption. The White House, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the governments of Bermuda, France, and South Africa, as well as other official government websites are all included in this usage.
Disadvantages of using Drupal
Some of the disadvantages of Drupal are:
- The user interface of Drupal is not intuitive. To install and change, you need to know a few fundamentals about the platform as well as advanced expertise.
- A new content management system is Drupal. Other software is incompatible with it.
- When compared to other CMS, performance is poor. A Drupal-built website will result in high server demands and never load while utilizing a poor internet connection.
Websites That Use Drupal
Whole Foods
Timex
Nokia
Telsa Motors
Harvard
Syfy
Reasons to Hire a Drupal Developer
You’ve heard enough comparisons between Drupal and WordPress to understand the general concept. Choose Drupal if you want your website to have the most flexibility and customization options possible.
Naturally, it won’t be simple. A knowledgeable Drupal developer is necessary to utilize Drupal to its full potential. This manner, you have a team member to handle any useful pre-existing modules and build new modules as needed.
Keep These Things in Mind When Hiring Drupal Developers on Contract
Skill Set
Look at the Drupal websites your developer has worked on and the amount of expertise they have with the platform. You may help the project get done effectively by hiring someone who has experience working on a variety of Drupal sites.
Capabilities for communication
Your Drupal developer should connect on a business level with you if you are a team head or an experienced developer to handle issues.
Working Conditions
Make sure the Drupal developer is at ease working in an office setting if you’re recruiting for a business. Make sure a remote developer you hire has a dependable internet connection and a comfortable workspace.
Drupal community participation
Participation in the Drupal community is actively encouraged by Drupal for both individuals and teams. A Drupal developer who is active in the Drupal community is someone you should hire.
Support and Maintenance
Your Drupal developer must be accessible when you need them since Drupal releases security upgrades on a regular basis. Most Drupal developers provide Drupal support and maintenance services to make sure your Drupal website runs efficiently, securely, and without a hitch.
Third-Party Involvement
A Drupal expert should excel at integrating third-party applications. A Drupal developer with experience integrating third-party applications like CRM, ERP, marketing, and automation should be used.
PHP and Its Framework Expertise
PHP serves as the foundation for Drupal. Your Drupal developer should be familiar with PHP and eager to learn and apply PHP frameworks because the most recent Drupal 9 update is built on the Symfony framework.
Security Information of Drupal
One of the safest and also most secure cms systems on the market right now is Drupal. Being an open-source platform, security challenges are nothing new to it. In order to protect Drupal against attacks and to make fixes and upgrades available, the security team works around the clock. However, it ultimately falls on website owners or Drupal developers to update a Drupal site to keep it safe and secure.
Debugging
Employ a Drupal developer who is accustomed to and at ease with debugging. Debugging saves you a tonne of time and frustration by guiding you to the mistake’s source.
Knowledge
Hire a Drupal developer with experience developing Drupal CMS modules and plugins. The right way to implement the module in compliance with the specifications should be known to the Drupal developer. When developing Drupal websites, theoretical knowledge isn’t especially helpful; rather, every Drupal developer must possess practical expertise.
Capacity to Learn
Employing Drupal developers who can see the value of learning quickly is crucial. In other words, it is expected that your developer won’t be an expert in everything, but it doesn’t mean the person shouldn’t be willing to learn and quick to pick up new ideas.
Learn more about the design process
Ask your Drupal developer whether they have a set design process or if they utilize any software. If they have a documented plan in place, you can be sure that they will manage the Drupal development process from beginning to end like a pro.
Custom development expertise
Ask whether they have experience with Drupal custom development. When creating a website, the vast majority of Drupal developers just use the built-in templates. Developers must be knowledgeable with Drupal custom development in order to build an out-of-the-box website.
Timeframe
Based on the activities you must do before the project can start, a Drupal developer needs to provide you with a timetable. It helps you plan for the future.
Why Hire a Drupal Developer?
Developers for Drupal are pre-screened, interviewed, and given further training to help them evolve into genuine software experts capable of adjusting to circumstances that fall within and beyond the purview of their broad knowledge.
At Aidigitek, we have greater expectations for our engineers. We hire developers that either exhibit outstanding talent or expertise, much as elite special forces units only select the finest from the main branches of the military. Then, we take their abilities and further enhance them.
Another advantage of using our developer is that you won’t have to pay the hiring expenses, which often total up to around 30% of a developer’s annual compensation, as well as the overhead expenses related to full-time employment.
Working with Aidigitek will provide you access to a full-time developer with extensive expertise at a significant savings and additional project management support.
Drupal Web Development Services Include
Drupal Web Design
With the help of our skilled Drupal designers, create feature-rich Drupal-based experiences and visual designs that satisfy unique user, technological, and commercial requirements.
Migration & Upgrades for Drupal
Reengineer or migrate current legacy websites to the newest versions of Drupal using a highly adaptable and successful engagement strategy that can manage data migrations of any scale and complexity.
E-commerce Solutions
With our knowledge in the most powerful and flexible content management system, you can speed up the construction of your e-commerce website and assure comprehensive API support.
Services for Support & Maintenance of Drupal
Our round-the-clock support services, which deal with many Drupal-based properties, intricate settings, and constant security concerns, ensure good performance.
Difference between WordPress and Drupal
Open-source, user-friendly systems like Drupal and WordPress are utilized to create robust, comprehensive websites. In general, WordPress is renowned for its comparatively straightforward admin interface and wide selection of pre-made themes. In contrast, enterprises who want to create intricate websites, combine them with other services, and have continuing support from a company or internal developers frequently utilize Drupal.
Compare the characteristics of each platform to see which one best meets your demands if you’re wanting to move systems or are using a powerful CMS for the first time.