The Persistent Popularity of Drupal 7 in 2023

In the ever-evolving landscape of content management systems (CMS), it’s intriguing to note that Drupal 7 continues to maintain a substantial user base even as newer versions like Drupal 8 and 9 have come and gone, with Drupal 10 on the horizon. As of May 22, 2023, statistics reveal that a staggering 482,747 websites are still using Drupal 7. This unexpected persistence of Drupal 7 has left many wondering why it remains popular. In this article, we will delve into the reasons behind its enduring appeal.

1. Reliability of Traditional PHP

Drupal 8 and 9 brought a significant transformation by incorporating the Symfony framework and introducing Twig for coding modules and themes. However, not all developers have embraced this change with open arms. Many find that the traditional PHP used in Drupal 7 suits their projects better. The reliability and familiarity of traditional PHP have kept Drupal 7 in demand among developers who value its simplicity and effectiveness.

2. Perfect Fit for Many Organizations

Drupal 7 has established itself as an open-source CMS that excels in stability, end-user configuration, feature-rich functionality, hook-based extensions, hierarchical software architecture, and a plethora of stable modules. These attributes make it a perfect fit for numerous organizations. For some, the advanced features introduced in Drupal 9 and the impending Drupal 10 may be deemed overkill, making Drupal 7 an ideal choice that perfectly aligns with their specific needs.

3. Migration Costs

One of the significant factors contributing to Drupal 7’s continued popularity is the cost associated with migrating to newer versions. Over time, companies have invested substantial resources in their Drupal 7 websites. Transitioning to Drupal 9 entails a high migration cost, which can be a deterrent for smaller organizations. With Drupal 10 expected to launch soon, some organizations may opt to delay migration decisions, as they anticipate the need for yet another upgrade in the near future. This cost consideration often prompts website owners to explore alternative CMS options rather than investing in Drupal’s updates.

4. Coding Preferences

Drupal 7 caters to a community of self-taught experts with varying technical and programming backgrounds. Many of these users favor Drupal 7 over the technically advanced Drupal 8 and 9. For developers who lack extensive programming knowledge, the shift to a more technically demanding CMS can be daunting. This raises the question: “If I must invest in learning something new, why not explore alternatives like Ruby or Node.js instead of Drupal 8?” Drupal 7’s approachability remains appealing to this segment of users.

5. Content Migration Complexity

Migrating from Drupal 7 to Drupal 9 is a complex process that often feels more like a complete rebuild than a straightforward migration. While this presents an opportunity for web administrators to revamp their websites, restructure categorizations, and eliminate outdated content, it also poses challenges. Content migration is considerably more intricate than migrating code. This complexity intensifies for websites with multiple pages or intricate structures. The effort and resources required for content migration are significant factors contributing to Drupal 7’s ongoing usage.

6. Abundance of Contributed Modules

The wealth of contributed modules available for Drupal 7 remains a compelling reason for its sustained popularity. These modules empower users to make simple yet effective adjustments to their websites, a feature that Drupal 7 users have grown accustomed to. While Drupal 8 and 9 offer enhanced functionality out of the box, they lack the convenience of Drupal 7’s contributed modules for quick and easy customizations.

7. Space Considerations

An often-overlooked factor that influences the choice of CMS is disk space usage. Drupal 8 and 9 come loaded with numerous features, but this comes at a cost. Drupal 7, in comparison, is leaner, occupying just 14.5 MB on disk. On the other hand, Drupal 8 and 9 require a substantial 72.2 MB of disk space. This difference can impact website performance, particularly in an era where speed plays a pivotal role in SEO rankings and user retention. While technology has improved the performance of newer versions, smaller organizations and individuals managing blogs or websites may still take this into account when choosing their CMS.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the enduring popularity of Drupal 7 in 2023 can be attributed to a combination of factors, including its reliability, cost considerations, coding preferences, content migration complexity, the abundance of contributed modules, and disk space considerations. These factors, coupled with the comfort of familiarity, make Drupal 7 a viable choice for many website owners and developers.

As Drupal 10 approaches, it remains to be seen whether the aging Drupal 7 will eventually fade into obsolescence. However, its continued presence in the CMS landscape highlights the significance of user preferences and practical considerations in shaping the choices made by organizations and individuals in the ever-evolving digital world. Whether Drupal 7 ultimately reaches its end-of-life in 2023 or continues to thrive in niche use cases, it has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the CMS ecosystem.