Several years ago, online business owners were only able to design their websites using basic HTML which involved time-consuming effort to build and maintain each page.Fortunately, advances in technology brought forth the first Content Management System (a.k.a. CMS), around 1992, and it was during this time that content publishers were able to create and modify digital data dynamically, instead of statically.
Nowadays, there are number of CMS options out there to choose from, but two of the most popular open source content management systems out there today are Drupal and WordPress. While both of these software platforms are capable of building sites of various sizes, from simple to complex, they do have their differences, each with their own pros and cons.
In order to determine which CMS platform to choose, it’s important to compare WordPress Vs. Drupal. Here are the pros and cons of each:
WordPress: Pros
• Quick installation in one simple click
• Open source – no software subscription fees
• Quick and easy to learn
• Comes with over 43,000 free plug-ins to provide additional website functionality
• Includes a large number of predesigned themes which can reduce design costs
• Due to its popularity and wide use around the globe, WordPress is augmented by many resources, such as community support, customization options, and helpful tutorials
WordPress: Cons
• Complex data queries require enabling other tools, such as page caching
• Custom content likely requires the use of PHP programming
• Meta-storage lacks good structure
• Due to its popularity among designers, WordPress is a prime target for hackers
Drupal: Pros
• Highly flexible, in that it can develop websites from small to large, simple to complex
• Easy to query complex data within the database
• Manipulating data is simple
• Offers enterprise level security
• Includes a large number of modules, which can be used to extend website functionality
• Has a robust architecture that can easily manage large volumes of database content
• Highly skilled developers
Drupal: Cons
• Steep learning curve
• Development costs can be high, as it takes more time to build a website, due to its higher complexity
• Skilled developers will need to be involved, as Drupal knowledge is necessary for building and maintaining sites
Choosing between Drupal Vs. WordPress depends largely on what your website project needs are. If you only need a small, basic site, WordPress would be a great solution, and it is suitable for larger, more complex projects as well. If your next project requires a site that is on the larger scale with a number of customizations, complex features, and large database, Drupal should be your CMS of choice.
