Moving from wordpress to drupal: what to expect
If you’ve built sites with WordPress, switching to Drupal can feel like entering a different workshop where many tools look familiar but work in new ways. Drupal is a powerful content management system designed around flexible content structures and fine-grained access control. Where WordPress emphasizes quick site setup and an extensive plugin ecosystem, Drupal focuses on built-in content modeling, roles and permissions, and configuration management that scales for complex sites. Expect a steeper learning curve at first, but a lot of control once you get comfortable with Drupal’s concepts.
Key differences that matter to WordPress users
One of the first differences you’ll notice is terminology and the way content is modeled. In WordPress, most sites use posts and pages with custom post types added as needed. In Drupal, the concept of content types is central: each content type can have its own fields, display settings, and workflows. Instead of shortcodes, much of Drupal’s display logic lives in templates (Twig) and in the Views module, which gives you powerful, database-driven lists and displays without custom code. Another big distinction is configuration: Drupal separates configuration from content, which makes deploying site structure between environments more predictable, but initially requires learning a few new workflows like configuration export and import.
Terminology quick reference
Getting comfortable with the names helps reduce friction. Think of a Drupal “node” as a single piece of content (similar to a post). “Fields” are reusable data containers you attach to content types. “Views” are database query builders that render lists or blocks of content. “Modules” play the role of plugins, and “themes” are the layer that controls markup and css, similar to wordpress themes but implemented differently. Understanding these mappings speeds up learning and troubleshooting.
Setting up a basic Drupal site
Starting a Drupal site follows familiar steps: install, pick a theme, add content types and fields, and extend with modules. Many hosting services now offer one-click Drupal installs. After installation, create at least one content type, add fields (text, image, date, entity reference), and use Views to create lists or landing pages. Drupal’s admin UI can be less forgiving than WordPress for quick edits, but it’s intentionally structured for repeatable content models and consistent displays.
Essential modules to install
Some modules are almost always useful on new builds: Pathauto for automatic clean urls, Token for variable replacements, Views (core in newer versions) for building content lists, Redirect for url management, and Devel for developer tools. For multilingual or complex permission needs, check out the Language and Content Moderation modules. If you’re migrating from WordPress, the migrate and Migrate Plus modules are crucial , they provide frameworks to map and import content from different sources.
Migrating content from WordPress to Drupal
migration can be straightforward for simple blogs and more involved for complex sites with custom post types, custom fields, or many plugins. The recommended approach is to plan the target content model in Drupal first, then map WordPress data to that model. Use the Migrate API and contributed migration modules where possible, and export WordPress content as XML or via the REST API when needed. Test migrations on a staging site, verify content relationships (authors, categories, tags, media), and expect to write a few mapping scripts for unusual data shapes.
Practical migration checklist
- Audit WordPress content types, taxonomies, and media usage.
- Design Drupal content types and fields to match or improve structure.
- Install Migrate, Migrate Plus, and any supporting source plugins.
- Run small test imports and verify data integrity.
- Migrate files and adjust paths, then handle redirects for URLs.
Theming and front-end workflow
Drupal themes use Twig templates for rendering, which is a different templating approach than php templates in many WordPress themes. Twig enforces separation between logic and display, so you’ll do less PHP in templates and more configuration and preprocess functions in module or theme files. If you’re comfortable with modern front-end workflows, you can integrate build tools, css frameworks, or a headless approach. Drupal also supports json:API and GraphQL for decoupled front ends, which appeals if you plan to use a JavaScript framework like React or Vue for the UI.
Security, performance, and maintenance
Drupal has a strong security track record and a centralized security team that issues advisories. Updates can be more involved because modules often interact with core features at a deeper level, so test updates in a staging environment before applying them to production. For performance, Drupal offers caching layers out of the box (page caching, dynamic page cache) and integrates with reverse proxies like Varnish. Use configuration management to keep site settings consistent between environments, which simplifies maintenance as a site grows.
When Drupal is a better choice than WordPress
Drupal shines for projects that need complex data models, fine-grained permissions, or multi-site and multi-language setups. If you need custom editorial workflows, relationships between many content entities, or a site that will be maintained by many contributors with different roles, Drupal often handles those cases more cleanly. For smaller brochure sites or simple blogs where speed of setup and a huge plugin marketplace matter most, WordPress may still be the faster path.
Next steps to learn Drupal effectively
Start small: rebuild a simple WordPress page in Drupal to learn content types, fields, and Views. Follow a few practical tutorials on configuration management and the Migrate API, and join community forums or local meetups to ask targeted questions. Practice theming with Twig and experiment with JSON:API if you have an interest in headless architectures. Hands-on practice will solidify concepts much faster than reading alone.
Summary
Drupal is a different mindset more than a harder tool: it rewards upfront planning and a structured approach to content. WordPress users will find many familiar ideas but implemented in a way that favors flexibility and control for complex sites. Learn the core terminology, get comfortable with content types and Views, use the Migrate tools for content transfer, and adopt configuration management as a standard practice. With those foundations you can take advantage of Drupal’s strengths without losing the practical workflows you relied on in WordPress.
FAQs
Is Drupal harder to learn than WordPress?
Yes, for many users Drupal has a steeper learning curve because it encourages more planning and has more built-in concepts like content types and configuration export. After a short learning period you’ll gain capabilities that are harder to achieve in WordPress without many plugins.
Can I migrate my WordPress site automatically?
Some parts of a migration can be automated using the Migrate modules, but complex custom post types, plugin-specific data, and media relationships often require mapping work and testing. Plan for manual adjustments and redirects.
Do I need to code to use Drupal?
You can build basic sites without coding by using the admin UI, contributed modules, and themes, but custom displays, integrations, and advanced theming will require PHP, Twig, or JavaScript depending on the approach.
Is Drupal good for multilingual sites?
Yes. Drupal includes mature multilingual features that let you translate content, configuration, and interface text with robust controls. That makes it a strong choice for sites that must support multiple languages consistently.
When should I choose WordPress over Drupal?
Choose WordPress if you need a quick, user-friendly site with lots of theme and plugin options, especially for blogs, small businesses, or simple ecommerce storefronts. WordPress is faster to launch for straightforward needs, while Drupal pays off on complexity and scale.
