What Is Drupal & How Does It Work in 2024?

Drupal is a key player on the stage of website development. It's really important to get a handle on what it is all about, especially if you're into web development, or you manage online content. In this article we are going to discuss what Drupal is, dig into its main features, and look at how it works. We’ll also touch on the latest updates and who might benefit most from using it this year. Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been around the block a few times with web tech, you will understand why Drupal might be a good fit for your projects. We'll keep things simple and straightforward, so by the end, you’ll have a clear idea of what this technology can do and why it’s worth considering.

What Is Drupal?

Drupal is a free, open-source platform that is widely used to manage content on the websites. It lets you build and customize all sorts of websites, from small blogs to big, complicated sites for businesses or schools.

What makes this solution special? Well, it's known for being super flexible. You can mix and match different features to make just the right site you need.

This flexibility is a big reason why many people choose Drupal as CMS.

It's also great for managing lots of data and users. Big companies and organizations that need a secure way to handle their online stuff often go for Drupal. Plus you can add lots of different Drupal themes and modules (which are like add-ons) to make your site look and work exactly how you want.

The latest Drupal version in 2024 has even more features and tools, making it easier and more effective for web developers and content managers. So if you're thinking about using Drupal or updating an existing site, checking out the newest version is a smart move.

Core Features of Drupal

Drupal is packed with features that make it a strong choice for anyone looking to build a powerful, customized website. Here are some core features that highlight why it's so popular among both developers and businesses:

• Custom Content Types and Views. One of its standout features is its ability to let users create and manage different types of content according to their needs. Whether it’s articles, products, services, or user profiles, you can define custom fields and characteristics for each type. The Views module then allows you to craft custom lists and displays of any content elements based on filters you set.
• User Management. Drupal provides excellent user management tools. You can create different roles with specific permissions depending on what access level you want to grant to various users on your site. This is especially useful for large sites with multiple content contributors and administrative users.
• Extensibility through Modules. There are thousands of modules available that you can add to your site to extend its functionality. Whether you need SEO tools, security enhancements, or social media features, there’s likely a module that fits your needs.
• Themes for Customization. With themes, this CMS allows for extensive customization of the visual appearance of a site. Themes in Drupal not only dictate how the site looks, but can also modify some aspects of how it behaves. Developers can use existing themes or create their own to give their site a unique look.
• Multilingual Capabilities. Drupal provides support for multilingual sites, making it an excellent choice for international audiences. You can easily manage sites in multiple languages, with each language having its own tailored content and interface.
• Mobile-First Approach. Given the importance of mobile browsing, Drupal emphasizes responsive design and mobile-first approaches, ensuring that websites perform well on smartphones and tablets out of the box.
• SEO-Friendly. Understanding the importance of search engine optimization, Drupal includes built-in SEO tools that help improve your site’s visibility and ranking. These tools are further enhanced by various SEO modules developed by the community.

How Does Drupal Work?

Understanding how Drupal operates can help you better utilize its extensive capabilities for your projects. Here's a look at the basic mechanics of how it functions as a powerful content management system:

Core and Contributed Modules

It is built around a core set of functionalities that provide the basic framework of your website. These include user management, content creation, and basic security features. Beyond this core, Drupal allows you to add contributed modules—these are extensions created by the community that you can install to add specific features to your site. This modular approach means you can customize your setup extensively, depending on what your specific needs are.

Theming System

Drupal’s theming system governs how your site looks. It uses themes, which are essentially templates that dictate the aesthetic and layout of your site. You can choose from a wide range of pre-designed themes or create your own to ensure your site has a unique visual style. This flexibility is one of its key strengths, allowing every site to look different from the next.

Blocks and Layouts

Blocks are elements that can hold content or even other dynamic elements like a list of upcoming events, user login forms, or interactive maps. These blocks can be placed in different regions of your site’s pages, such as the header, footer, or sidebar, depending on your theme’s layout capabilities. Drupal 8 and later versions include a Layout Builder that provides a visual interface to design and implement these layouts with ease.

Database Abstraction

At its core, Drupal uses a database to store all content and settings, which includes everything from text and user data to configuration settings. The platform uses a database abstraction layer that allows it to work with a variety of database systems, not just MySQL or SQLite. This makes it incredibly versatile and able to fit into different hosting environments easily.

Caching and Performance

To enhance performance, especially on sites with heavy traffic, Drupal incorporates advanced caching mechanisms. These help speed up page loads by storing pre-rendered parts of pages and data queries in memory. With the latest version in 2024, the caching technology has become even more sophisticated, reducing load times and improving user experience.

Security Features

Security is a major concern for any website, and Drupal provides robust security features out of the box. Its community continually updates and maintains security protocols to protect against common vulnerabilities. 

What's New in Drupal in 2024?

As technology improves, so does Drupal. The 2024 updates to it have introduced several key enhancements that cater to the needs of today’s developers and content managers. Here’s a look at what’s new in Drupal this year:

1. In 2024, Drupal has significantly enhanced its API integration capabilities, making it easier for developers to connect and extend their websites with external services. This improvement facilitates the development of more dynamic, app-like experiences within Drupal websites, aligning with modern web development trends.
2. The latest version of Drupal includes a revamped admin interface designed to be more intuitive and user-friendly. This change aims to reduce the learning curve for new users while speeding up content management tasks for seasoned professionals. The new UI focuses on accessibility, ensuring that all users, regardless of their technical skill level, can effectively manage their sites.
3. Drupal 2024 introduces more sophisticated caching strategies that enhance website performance, especially under high traffic conditions. These new mechanisms ensure that websites remain fast and responsive, providing a better overall user experience.
4. Recognizing the importance of search engine optimization, the latest Drupal release includes built-in SEO tools that help websites rank better in search engine results. These tools are designed to be easy to use, allowing site owners to effectively optimize their content without needing specialized SEO knowledge.
5. The new version further strengthens Drupal’s software capabilities as a decoupled CMS, allowing developers to use it as the content management backbone while employing different technologies for the front end. This flexibility is particularly useful for sites that need to function across multiple platforms and devices.
6. With cybersecurity threats becoming more sophisticated, Drupal 2024 has implemented enhanced security measures to protect websites against vulnerabilities. These updates are crucial for maintaining the integrity and safety of online data.
7. Drupal continues to excel in providing robust multilingual features, and the 2024 updates have expanded these capabilities, making it even easier to manage and deploy websites in multiple languages. This is particularly valuable for global organizations looking to engage audiences in diverse regions.

Who Should Use Drupal in 2024?

Drupal serves a wide range of web development needs, making it suitable for various users and organizations in 2024. Here’s who can benefit the most from using Drupal this year:

1. Drupal Developers. Developers who specialize in Drupal can take advantage of its extensive API support and robust module system to build complex, feature-rich websites. The platform's flexibility allows developers to tailor sites precisely to their clients' needs, whether they're building for small businesses, large corporations, or non-profit organizations.
2. Enterprise-Level Organizations. Large businesses and organizations often require complex, scalable, and secure web solutions. Drupal's security features, extensive customization capabilities, and strong support for multilingual content make it an ideal choice for enterprises that need a dependable and flexible CMS.
3. Government and Educational Institutions. These sectors require websites that are both highly secure and capable of handling large volumes of content and traffic. Drupal’s strong security protocols, combined with its ability to manage complex content structures, make it perfect for government and educational websites.
4. Media and Publishing Houses. For media sites that handle significant amounts of articles, videos, and user-generated content, Drupal provides powerful content management tools. Its ability to handle high traffic and provide different content access levels makes it suitable for publishers looking to maintain robust, interactive online presences.
5. Non-profits and NGOs. Organizations in this sector often operate with limited budgets but need high-quality websites to engage with their communities effectively. Drupal's open-source nature makes it a cost-effective solution that doesn't compromise on functionality or security.
6. Tech Startups. Startups that need to quickly prototype and scale their web presence can benefit from Drupal's modular architecture and support for rapid deployment. Additionally, the decoupled or headless capabilities of this platform allow for flexibility in how content is delivered, which is crucial for companies looking to innovate in how they interact with users.
7. Marketing Professionals. With its latest SEO tools and enhancements, Drupal is a boon for marketing professionals looking to improve their website's visibility and engagement. The platform's robust analytics and customization options allow for targeted content strategies and user experience improvements.

If this article has convinced you that Drupal is the right choice for your next project, we're here to help. Hire Drupal developers from our team, and let us build you a website that’s not just great to look at but also powerful and secure. Reach out to us to get started immediately!