Key Reasons to Switch from Drupal 7 to Drupal 10

In the world of technology, progress is not just an option – it's a necessity. In December 2022, the Drupal community, one of the most popular content management systems (CMS), celebrated the release of Drupal 10. It was a significant event heralding a new era of innovation and advanced features for website developers.

However, despite this significant step forward, surprisingly many sites still run on the older version - Drupal 7. Many site owners may wonder why they should update, especially if their current site works without issues. In this article, we will try to answer this question by presenting the key reasons why migrating from Drupal 7 to Drupal 10 is not only recommended but may be crucial for the future of your online business.

Why switch to Drupal 10?

As technology evolves, it brings a range of benefits that can significantly impact the functionality, performance, and security of a website. Moving from Drupal 7 to Drupal 10 is not just about accessing newer features but also an investment in the future of your online business. Here are some key reasons to consider this migration:

• Community Support. Drupal, as open-source software, draws its strength from an active and engaged community. As newer versions become a priority, support for older versions, such as Drupal 7, begins to decline. Lack of updates and community support can expose your site to potential security threats. Additionally, modules and themes currently used on your Drupal 7-based site may cease to be updated, leading to compatibility and maintenance issues.
• New Features and Updates. Technology doesn't stand still, and new software versions often bring innovations that can significantly enhance the user experience. Drupal 10 introduced several improvements, such as better integration with modern tools, an improved user interface, and new features that were unavailable or challenging to implement in Drupal 7.
• Automatic Updates. In the past, updating Drupal could be a complicated process requiring manual intervention. Drupal 10 introduced an automatic update feature, significantly simplifying this process while enhancing site security by quickly deploying critical security patches.
• Project Browser. Searching and installing modules in Drupal 7 could be time-consuming and complicated. Thanks to the new project browser in Drupal 10, users can easily search and install modules directly from the admin panel without visiting external sites.

Each of these reasons is a strong argument for migrating from Drupal 7 to Drupal 10. In the long run, investing in technology updates can bring significant benefits to your business in terms of functionality and security.

Modules that will no longer be supported in Drupal 10

As technology evolves, some features become obsolete or are replaced with newer, more advanced solutions. Drupal 10, while bringing many innovations, also makes certain choices regarding features that will no longer be supported in the new version. Here are some key modules that will not be included in the Drupal 10 core:

• Collecting and presenting materials from external sources. Modules such as RSS, RDF, and Atom feeds, which were used to aggregate content from external sources, will no longer be available in the Drupal 10 core. Instead, developers will have to rely on external modules or custom solutions.
• QuickEdit. The "in-place" content editing feature allowed for quick changes without having to go to the full editing interface. In Drupal 10, this feature will be removed in favor of more advanced editing tools.
• HAL. A module used for entity serialization using the Hypertext Application Language. Although useful in certain contexts, it was deemed redundant in the newer Drupal version.
• Activity Tracking. The feature that allowed users to track the latest content will no longer be available in the Drupal 10 core.
• RDF. The module that added metadata to pages so other systems could better understand their content will also not be transferred to the new version.

While the withdrawal of support for these modules may seem problematic for some users, it's essential to understand that these decisions were made to simplify and optimize Drupal 10. For many of these features, alternative modules or solutions are available that are more current and better suited to the modern needs of website creators.

Costs of maintaining the old version

Using outdated software carries many hidden costs that may not be immediately apparent but can significantly impact performance, security, and the overall quality of your website over time. Here are some key aspects to consider when thinking about continuing to use Drupal 7:

• Security. Older software versions often become targets for hackers as they no longer receive security updates. Lack of support for Drupal 7 means that any security vulnerabilities will not be fixed, increasing the risk of attacks and data breaches.
• Compatibility. Technology is constantly evolving. New versions of programming languages, libraries, and tools may not be compatible with older Drupal versions. This can lead to integration issues, errors, and the need to write custom solutions.
• Functionality. New CMS versions, like Drupal 10, offer new features and enhancements not found in older versions. By using outdated software, you lose access to these innovations, which can affect the user experience and overall site quality.
• Technical Support. As the community and developers focus on newer versions, technical support for older versions becomes increasingly hard to obtain. This can lead to higher maintenance costs and difficulties in problem-solving.
• Financial Costs. Maintaining an outdated site can be associated with higher operational costs. This may include costs related to hiring specialists to fix issues, purchasing specialized software, or paying for additional support services.

In summary, while it may seem at first glance that sticking with an older software version is less costly, the long-term consequences of this decision can prove much more expensive both financially and operationally. Migrating to a newer version, like Drupal 10, is an investment in the future of your site that can bring significant benefits in the long run.

Conclusion

In the digital age, where technology is evolving at a breakneck pace, the key to success is the ability to adapt and embrace new innovations. Drupal 7, while faithfully serving many organizations for years, is nearing the end of its lifecycle. In contrast, Drupal 10 opens a new chapter full of advanced features, security, and community support.

• Don't wait until the last minute. Although Drupal 7 will only reach end-of-life in November 2023, postponing migration until the last minute can lead to unforeseen complications. Early planning and gradual migration will ensure a smooth transition and minimize potential issues.
• Migration benefits. Switching to Drupal 10 will not only secure your site against potential threats but also open the door to a range of new possibilities. From automatic updates to modern themes and better technical support, the benefits of migration are numerous.
• Expert support. Migrating a CMS system can be a complex process, but you don't have to do it alone. Collaborating with experts in Drupal migration can help ensure a smooth transition and harness the full potential of Drupal 10.

In conclusion, while migrating from Drupal 7 to Drupal 10 may seem like a significant undertaking, the benefits of this decision are invaluable. In today's digital world, where security, performance, and innovation are key, updating to the latest Drupal version is not just a wise choice but a necessity. If you're considering migration, now is the perfect time to take steps towards the future of your website.