When most people think about a content management software (or CMS for short) for their website, their mind immediately jumps to WordPress. While WordPress definitely has its place, there are other CMS options that are more secure and provide more resources, such as Drupal.
Because of the additional benefits that Drupal can provide, it’s a favourite for many government websites. This includes the website for the Australian Crime Commission, the website for the UK’s Department of Health, and the United States’ White House Petitions website.
Clearly, Drupal has a lot to offer if major government entities have adopted it. Read on to learn more about the benefits of government websites choosing Drupal as their CMS.
What is Drupal?
Let’s start with the basics. What is Drupal and how does it differ from other popular CMS options like WordPress.
Drupal is a popular CMS that you can use for help when building and customizing a website or application. Drupal software is open-source. This means anyone can download, use, and work on it.
It’s built around principles of collaboration and globalism and does not come with any licensing fees. It’s free to use, although you may have to pay for certain upgrades or to hire someone to help you use it to create your website.
Drupal comes with a variety of standard features that are similar to those offered by other CMS options. It’s easy to use it to author content, for example, and it offers top-notch security. Where it really shines, though, is in its flexibility.
You can use Drupal to create virtually any kind of website imaginable. Almost everything is customizable, meaning you can separate your website from others and ensure it works exactly as you need it to. It’s very scalable as well and easy to grow and adapt as your needs change.
Benefits of Drupal for Government Websites
There are lots of reasons why government agencies choose Drupal over other CMS options. The following are some of the greatest benefits that Drupal has to offer governments and the folks who visit their websites:
Enhanced Security
Considering the sensitive nature of the work you do in government, security ought to be of the utmost importance.
At first glance, you might assume that open-source software is less secure than another option. That’s not necessarily the case, though, especially when it comes to Drupal.
In fact, Drupal offers a higher level of security than a lot of other CMS options. With Drupal, you’ll be less vulnerable to hacking and security breaches.
Drupal has its own security team that works hard to prevent data breaches and address any issues that could make a site vulnerable to such a breach. There are several other groups that work hard to keep Drupal a safe and secure option for all users.
Cost-Effectiveness
It doesn’t get much more cost-effective than a free software program, does it?
It’s true that you won’t be able to set your website up for nothing, even if you’re using Drupal. However, you can save a lot of money (without sacrificing the quality or security of your website) by making the switch.
It also comes with fewer maintenance costs. Because of its open-source nature, people are always working to improve it and keep things running smoothly.
Multiple Languages
Drupal makes the content translation process a breeze as well. With over 100 languages supported, it’s easy for you to make your website available to as many people as possible.
Multi-Site Features
It’s common for government agencies to have dozens, if not hundreds, of websites. If you have to develop each one from scratch, you’re going to spend an inordinate amount of time getting everything up and running.
Drupal, however, makes it easy for you to create several websites that have similar features and a uniform look without sacrificing the customization needed to cater to the users who will visit each site.
Accessibility
Drupal also is committed to ensuring that all internet users, regardless of their abilities, can access websites and consume their content with ease. Drupal has a wide range of features that make it easy for you to create a website that’s accessible to all.
Scalability
Drupal truly is one of the best CMS options out there for those who want to be able to scale their websites with ease. Drupal supports some of the most highly trafficked websites in the world without breaking a sweat.
If you want to grow your website and reach as many people as possible, Drupal should be your number one pick.
Customization
Some people fail to realize the importance of a dynamic website for government officials. Your website needs to be able to support a wide range of content, from blog posts to videos and social media posts with ease. Using Drupal, you can set up a website that showcases all kinds of important content and keeps users engaged long-term.
Mobility
These days, the majority of internet users access the internet using their smartphone or another mobile device. If your website isn’t mobile-friendly, it’s going to be much harder for you to reach these people where they are.
Thanks to its flexibility and customisability, Drupal is very useful when it comes to creating a mobile website that is easy to navigate and still provides users with all the information they need.
Easy Traffic and Data Handling
No one wants to worry about their site crashing due to too much traffic. This is especially important for government websites, though.
Drupal does a much better job than other CMS options when it comes to handling traffic spikes with ease. It’s able to support many different types of content, too, without getting overloaded.
Drupal’s a powerful option that is definitely worth considering, especially if you want to shield your website from low uptime numbers.
Start Using Drupal Today
As you can see, there are numerous benefits that come with using Drupal as the CMS for a government website. If you’re a government official looking to update your CMS, you definitely ought to consider switching to Drupal. Keep these benefits in mind to help you make your case.