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September 5, 2024

Step-by-step Drupal 7 migration guide

Steve King
Director of Technology
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Future-proof your website: migrating from Drupal 7 to Drupal 10

As the end of Drupal 7 support looms, it's crucial for businesses to take action and migrate to Drupal 10. Staying on Drupal 7 puts your site at risk of security vulnerabilities, performance issues, and could even damage user experience (and your reputation).

Stay tuned to learn the essential steps to assess and optimise your current Drupal 7 site, establish a robust Drupal 10 environment, and ensure a seamless migration. By following this guide, you’ll not only protect your digital presence but also position your business for future growth and innovation.

Step 1:
Assess and optimise your Drupal 7 site

Secure a comprehensive backup
Protect your existing Drupal 7 site by securing a full backup. This safety net covers both your database and files, ensuring you’re prepared for a smooth transition.

Content and module audit
This is your chance to streamline your site. Identify the content and modules that drive your business. We’ll help you eliminate outdated or redundant elements, clearing the way for a leaner, more efficient site.

Update for stability
Ensure your Drupal 7 site is fully updated to the latest version. This step not only lays a stable foundation for migration but also presents an opportunity to patch any vulnerabilities and optimise performance before the big move.

Step 2:
Establish a future-ready Drupal 10 environment

Choose the right hosting
Select a hosting environment tailored to support Drupal 10’s advanced capabilities. This stage allows you to reassess your hosting needs and choose a platform that can scale with your business, ensuring long-term reliability and speed.

Deploy Drupal 10
Our team will handle the installation of Drupal 10, setting the stage for your site’s evolution. This is your opportunity to start fresh with the latest technology, ensuring your site is equipped to handle future growth and innovation.

Initial setup and configuration
We’ll configure your site’s basic settings, aligning it with your brand’s unique identity. This is the moment to revisit your site’s core settings and make improvements that reflect your current business objectives and user needs.

Step 3:
Migrate with precision and care

Activate migrate modules
Leverage the power of Drupal 10’s Migrate modules. Our experts will ensure they’re installed and ready to work their magic. This phase is an opportunity to refine the way your data is organised, improving site efficiency and data integrity.

Seamless content migration
We’ll meticulously migrate your content – from nodes to users, and beyond – ensuring your data arrives intact and ready to drive engagement. It’s the perfect time to clean up your content, ensuring only relevant and high-quality information makes the move.

Configuration migration
Transfer your site’s configurations with precision. Whether it’s content types or views, we ensure your site’s core functions are not just preserved but optimised for better performance and user experience in Drupal 10.

Step 4:
Rebuild, redesign, and revitalise

Custom module rebuild
Rebuilding custom modules in Drupal 10 isn’t just a task – it’s an opportunity to innovate. We’ll ensure your modules are not just replicated but enhanced for improved functionality, security, and speed.

Theme overhaul
Elevate your brand’s digital presence with a redesigned theme that’s fully compatible with Drupal 10’s cutting-edge standards. This is your chance to modernise your site’s look and feel, ensuring it reflects your brand’s evolution and appeals to your target audience.

Feature testing
We rigorously test all features to guarantee that your site performs flawlessly. This stage is crucial for identifying areas where user experience can be improved, leading to higher engagement and satisfaction.

Step 5:
Launch with confidence

Comprehensive testing and debugging
Before going live, we conduct extensive testing across all platforms. Our commitment is to iron out any issues, ensuring a smooth launch. This is the final opportunity to fine-tune your site, making sure it’s in peak condition for launch.

Content accuracy review
We perform a detailed review of your migrated content, ensuring everything is aligned with your business objectives and looks impeccable. Use this stage to ensure your content strategy is up-to-date and resonates with your audience.

Go live and thrive
Once we’ve ticked all the boxes, we’ll seamlessly transition your site to Drupal 10. This launch is more than just a migration; it’s an opportunity to reintroduce your brand to the market with a stronger, more powerful digital presence.

The risks of staying on Drupal 7 – don’t get left behind

Sticking with Drupal 7 now that support has ended is a risk your business can’t afford. Without security updates, your site becomes vulnerable to attacks, risking data breaches and downtime. The lack of updates also means your site will fall behind in performance, leading to poor user experience and potential loss of business opportunities.

The clock is ticking – don’t wait until it’s too late. Migrating to Drupal 10 isn’t just an upgrade; it’s a critical step in future-proofing your digital presence. With Drupal 7 reaching the end of its life, now is the time to act.

Book your FREE consultation

Ready to make the move? Let’s talk.

Book a free consultation with our Technology Director, Steve King, and Marketing and Business Development Director, Sophie Harris. Together, we’ll map out the perfect migration strategy for your business, ensuring a smooth transition that positions you ahead of the competition.

To schedule your consultation and take the first step toward a more secure, high-performing website contact us today.

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