In recent years, the landscape of content management systems (CMS) within government agencies has seen significant developments, with Drupal emerging as a leading solution. A remarkable 55.9% of federal government websites in the United States surveyed in a recent open-source site scanning initiative rely on Drupal for their content management needs. The increasing reliance on Drupal for government websites is echoed across more than 150 countries, showcasing its adaptability and the trust it has garnered from governmental bodies worldwide.
This trend extends beyond federal institutions; Drupal's adoption is noteworthy at various levels of government, including state and municipal entities. The available data indicates a clear pattern: as the population of a state or local government increases, so does the likelihood of adopting Drupal. For instance, Drupal sites represent 57.1% of small states, 66.7% of mid-sized states, and an impressive 100% of large states. Such statistics underscore the appeal of Drupal as a dependable platform for government agencies seeking to streamline their online presence and optimize user experience.
This article aims to serve as a comprehensive guide to leveraging Drupal for government agencies, delving into its transformative impact across various levels of government. By examining the market share of government sites, the extensive research findings from monitoring Drupal’s usage across federal websites, and the actionable strategies that agencies can employ, we will illuminate how Drupal stands as a vital asset for modern governance.
Known for its flexibility, scalability, and security, Drupal provides a powerful platform that enables agencies to create and manage complex websites while ensuring compliance with government regulations.
Government agencies that utilize Drupal benefit significantly from its robust security framework, which is essential for protecting sensitive information and maintaining public trust. Drupal releases regular security advisories to promptly inform users of any vulnerabilities that are discovered in both core and contributed modules, ensuring that agencies can quickly address potential risks.
Furthermore, each project page for contributed modules explicitly states whether it falls under the security advisory policy, providing transparency and peace of mind. For modules not covered by this policy, clear warnings help users to remain cautious. The presence of a dedicated security team further enhances security efforts, as they not only oversee the identification and resolution of security issues but also engage in educating users on safe practices.
A content management system (CMS) like Drupal offers significant advantages to government agencies by enhancing their ability to manage and present diverse content effectively. Its flexibility with content types, blocks, and inline content enables the creation of a wide range of modular content, allowing agencies to tailor information to meet the specific needs of their constituents.
Custom workflows and revision tracking facilitate collaboration among multiple content authors from different departments, providing a structured approach to content approval that ensures compliance and accuracy. Fine-grained access control is essential for managing permissions across various departments, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access or modify sensitive information.
The open-source nature of Drupal also means that agencies can take advantage of a vast library of contributed modules, offering numerous third-party integrations and functionalities, which reduces the need for extensive custom code development. Plus, the platform's built-in localization and translation capabilities are particularly beneficial for government entities that serve multilingual populations, ensuring that all community members can access essential information in their preferred language.
Taxonomy is a powerful tool for government agencies utilizing Drupal for their web presence, as it greatly assists in categorizing large amounts of data, particularly when that data is organized in a hierarchical structure. With Drupal advantages such as customizable taxonomies, agencies can effectively manage complex information, making it easier for users to navigate and locate relevant content.
Additionally, a well-implemented taxonomy enhances the site search feature, allowing for more robust and faceted search capabilities. This means users can quickly filter results and find the specific information they need, ultimately improving navigation and user experience on government websites.
While there are many clear advantages to government entities employing Drupal for their websites, there are also some challenges and drawbacks.
One significant con of using Drupal for government websites is its steep learning curve, particularly for those seeking customization or complex functionality. While it is feasible to create a basic Drupal site without any coding expertise, achieving a tailored site that meets specific needs often requires technical knowledge or extensive experience with the platform. This complexity is likely a factor in why larger government entities tend to adopt Drupal more frequently than smaller organizations, as they typically have greater resources available to hire capable developers.
The admin user interface of Drupal is also packed with functionality, spanning multiple sections, which can overwhelm new administrators and content authors. This vastness can lead to a prolonged adjustment period, hindering the effective management of content and resources on the site. As a result, smaller government agencies may find the learning process challenging, potentially deterring them from fully utilizing Drupal's extensive capabilities.
The lack of automatic core updates presents a significant challenge that can lead to various issues for government websites. Since the core must be updated manually, administrators must either replace core code files physically or employ Composer via the command line, which can be daunting for non-developers. This technical barrier not only increases the risk of outdated software but poses potential security vulnerabilities, as failing to keep the core updated could expose sensitive information or compromise the site’s integrity. Without automatic updates, there is a continuous need for someone to monitor the release of updates, which can strain resources and divert attention from other critical tasks.
Migration complexities are not unique to Drupal; any content management system (CMS) migration can be fraught with issues stemming from differences in database schemas and content structures. When moving from another CMS to Drupal, the process almost always necessitates the involvement of a developer, as manual copying of content within the CMS is typically not feasible.
Entities utilizing Drupal 7 face significant hurdles when attempting to migrate to Drupal 8, 9, 10, or 11. The shift in coding paradigms from procedural to object-oriented programming complicates the migration process further, leading to increased time and resource requirements. Moving out of Drupal 7 is typically more a rebuild than an upgrade.
According to scan results from Unlighthouse.dev, government sites, in general, struggle to meet acceptable performance standards, with many scoring below 60 on performance metrics. Drupal sites, while trailing slightly behind other CMSs in terms of performance, reveal that while improvements can be made, these sites are not significantly worse than their competitors. This presents a challenge as government websites are tasked with delivering efficient, user-friendly experiences to citizens, and the current performance levels indicate a need for critical upgrades.
Moreover, accessibility among government websites remains a notable issue, even though many Drupal sites achieve accessibility scores in the upper 80s to 90s. This indicates that while Drupal may not be the worst performer when compared to other CMSs, there is still a considerable gap that needs addressing.
Interestingly, the accessibility capabilities of Drupal could be seen as an asset rather than a drawback. Many other CMS platforms lack built-in accessibility features entirely, leaving additional burdens on developers to implement solutions. Drupal’s approach supports the creation of websites that are more accessible than those built on other systems. Nonetheless, it is clear that the overall performance and accessibility of government websites require urgent attention, particularly for those built on Drupal, to ensure they serve their intended purpose effectively and inclusively.
With the recent release of Drupal 11, there has never been a better time for government entities to make the switch. With major improvements and upgrades, the new Drupal has advantages specifically for government:
Leveraging Drupal for government agencies offers a powerful, flexible, and secure solution to meet the unique needs of public service entities. If you’re ready to make the switch to Drupal, the experts at Engine Room can help you unlock the full potential of this platform, ensuring that your digital presence effectively serves the public.
Schedule a complimentary Drupal consultation with us today and let our team help you navigate the best strategies for your online initiatives.