The announcement of yet another extension for the end-of-life of Drupal 7 has come as a relief for many organisations that still rely on the ageing platform. Initially released in January 2011, Drupal 7 has managed to defy expectations with its longevity, outlasting three subsequent versions of the platform.
During DrupalCon Pittsburgh, the final extension was officially declared, setting the new retirement date for Drupal 7 to January 5, 2025. The decision to extend Drupal 7's lifespan was driven by the popularity of the version, with government portals, educational institutions, businesses, and non-profit organisations still heavily relying on the platform to deliver crucial services to their users.
The panel discussion provided valuable insights into the future path for Drupal 7 users, highlighting the importance of proactive planning for the transition to more recent versions such as Drupal 9 or Drupal 10.
When should organisations think about upgrading?
The short answer is NOW!
The importance of upgrading from Drupal 7 cannot be emphasised enough. The ideal time to consider the upgrade is now. Delaying the process poses risks and adds unnecessary pressure in the long run. Here are some key reasons why organisations should prioritise the upgrade:
Access to new features
Upgrading to the latest versions of Drupal opens up a wealth of new features and functionalities that can enhance your website's performance, user experience, and overall capabilities. By staying on Drupal 7, you miss out on these advancements and the opportunities they bring.
Mitigating risks
As Drupal 7 reaches its end of life, it will no longer receive security updates and bug fixes from the Drupal community. This leaves your website vulnerable to potential security breaches and compatibility issues, jeopardising the integrity of your data.
Evolving technology landscape
Technology is constantly evolving and staying on an outdated platform like Drupal 7 means falling behind. As new innovations emerge, your website will struggle to keep up and may face limitations in integrating with other tools and technologies. Upgrading ensures that your website remains compatible and adaptable to the ever-changing digital landscape.
Complex upgrade process
Upgrading from Drupal 7 is not a small task. Significant changes have been made in the newer versions of Drupal, requiring careful planning, code migration, and possibly a partial site rebuild. It's essential to allocate sufficient time and resources to ensure a smooth transition and minimise disruptions to your website.
How Webcurl can help - free site audits!
At Webcurl we have experience in helping businesses upgrade to the latest versions of Drupal. Our team are offering a free site audit to help identify the best approach to upgrading your website and how we might be able to help you with the next steps. In addition, we offer bespoke development, hosting and support to help keep your website up-to-date and running smoothly.