Drupal Tutorial for Beginners

Drupal is a powerful content management system (CMS) that is utilized to construct a wide range of websites. Many reputable organizations rely on Drupal to manage their high-traffic websites due to its versatile features and extensive modules.

In this comprehensive Drupal tutorial for beginners, we will provide you with step-by-step guidance on how to get started with Drupal. We’ll cover the installation process, building a website using Drupal, installing modules and themes, and more.

Why Choose Drupal?

Drupal is a CMS that currently powers 2.2% of all known CMS-based websites. It has evolved over the years into an open-source project, available for free under the GNU Public License. While it is well-known for powering government and organizational websites, Drupal is versatile and can be used for various types of websites.

Here’s what you can expect when using Drupal:

1. Great Functionality

Drupal’s functionality can be expanded through modules. For instance, you can add features like statistics tracking to your website by installing the Google Analytics module.

2. Flexible Customization

With over 2,965 themes designed for different purposes, Drupal offers flexibility in customizing the look and feel of your website. You can also modify Drupal core modules to better suit your specific needs.

3. Reliable Security

Drupal places a strong emphasis on security. It regularly generates detailed security reports to keep users informed about their site’s safety. Additionally, Drupal’s security team is always prepared to address any security issues promptly.

In this tutorial, we will explore these features and attributes to help you decide whether Drupal is the right choice for your website. First, let’s start with the installation of Drupal.

Before Installing Drupal

1. Acquire Web Hosting

Web hosting is a crucial service that makes your website accessible on the internet. It’s essential to choose the right hosting provider that offers the necessary resources and features to meet your website’s needs. Hostinger offers a variety of hosting plans, including shared hosting, cloud hosting, Drupal hosting, and VPS hosting. Choose the one that suits your requirements and budget.

2. Purchase a Domain Name

A domain name is your website’s address on the internet. Ensure your domain name is unique, memorable, and relevant to your brand. You can check domain name availability using Hostinger’s Domain Checker. Consider purchasing your domain name and hosting from the same provider for added convenience.

How to Install Drupal

There are two methods to install Drupal: using an auto-installer or manual installation. We’ll cover both methods.

Using Auto Installer

1. Access your hosting control panel (e.g., hPanel).
2. Go to the Auto Installer in the Website section.
3. Select Drupal from the drop-down menu.
4. Enter your admin login details and database information.
5. Click Install to start the installation.

Installing Drupal Manually

1. Download the Drupal ZIP file from the official website.
2. Upload and extract the files to the public_html directory using the File Manager or an FTP client.
3. Create a new database for your Drupal site.
4. Access the URL http://yourwebsite.com/core/install.php in your web browser.
5. Follow the installation prompts, including configuring the database and site information.

Building a Website With Drupal

After successfully installing Drupal, you can proceed to build your website. Here’s how to navigate the Drupal admin dashboard and create website elements:

Understanding Drupal Administrator Dashboard

1. Log in to your Drupal admin dashboard via https://your-site-address/user/login.
2. Click on “Manage” to access various menu items, including Content, Structure, Appearance, Extend, Configuration, People, Reports, and Help.

Creating Taxonomies

Taxonomies help classify website content. Here’s how to create a new taxonomy in Drupal:

1. Navigate to Structure -> Taxonomy.
2. Click “Add Vocabulary” and provide a name and description.
3. Add terms within the vocabulary to classify content.

Creating Articles and Basic Pages

Drupal has two core content types: Article and Basic Page. Learn how to create both:

Creating an Article:

1. Select “Content” in the admin dashboard.
2. Click “Add Content” and choose “Article.”
3. Add a title, body, tags, and configure additional settings.
4. Click “Save” to publish the article.

Creating a Basic Page:

1. Go to “Content” and select “Add Content” -> “Basic Page.”
2. Enter the title, body, and configure settings.
3. Click “Save” to publish the page.

Creating Menus

Menus help structure your website. Here’s how to create a new menu in Drupal:

1. Navigate to Structure -> Menus.
2. Click “Add New Menu,” provide a title, and save.
3. Add menu links to the menu.

Placing Drupal Blocks

Blocks are content boxes displayed in regions of your website. Here’s how to place a block:

1. Go to Structure -> Block Layout.
2. Click “Place Block” in the desired region.
3. Configure the block settings and save.

How to Install Modules in Drupal

Drupal modules extend your site’s functionality. Here’s how to install modules:

Using the Administrative Interface

1. Visit the Drupal Module Downloads page.
2. Choose a module and copy the download link.
3. In your Drupal admin dashboard, go to “Extend.”
4. Click “Add New Module” and paste the download link.
5. Install and enable the module.

Using Drush

Drush is a command-line tool for managing Drupal. It’s more suitable for experienced users. Here’s how to install a module using Drush:

1. Download the module from the Drupal Module Downloads page.
2. Identify the project name from the module’s URL.
3. Upload the module files or use Composer to install it.
4. Run the Drush command to enable the module.

How to Install Themes in Drupal

Themes define your website’s appearance. Follow these steps to install a Drupal theme:

1. Visit the Drupal Theme Downloads page.
2. Copy the download link of your chosen theme.
3. In your Drupal admin dashboard, go to “Appearance.”
4. Click “Add New Theme” and paste the download link.
5. Install and set the new theme as default.

How to Create a Blog on Drupal

Drupal allows you to create a blog, but you need to install the Blog module manually. Here’s how:

1. Download and enable the Blog module.
2. Go to “Content” and select “Add Content” -> “Blog Post.”
3. Create your blog post, configure settings, and publish it.

How to Back Up Drupal

Regularly backing up your Drupal site is crucial. Here’s how to back up your Drupal files using Hostinger’s hPanel:

1. Log in to hPanel and go to “Backups” under the “Files” section.
2. Generate a new backup and proceed.
3. Once the backup is ready, prepare to download it.

How to Update Drupal

Updating Drupal ensures your site remains secure and up-to-date. Here’s how to update Drupal:

1. Put your site into maintenance mode.
2. Check for available updates in “Reports” -> “Available Updates.”
3. Update Drupal either manually via FTP or using Composer.
4. Disable maintenance mode after successful update.

Conclusion

Drupal is a highly flexible CMS with a learning curve, but it can help you create powerful and customized websites. This tutorial has provided an overview of Drupal, from installation to content creation and maintenance. As you continue to explore Drupal, you’ll discover its vast capabilities and how they can benefit your website or project. Happy website building with Drupal!