An open-source web content management system (CMS), Drupal has long been among the most celebrated as an ace tool for developing and managing websites and web applications. Drupal is used by countless companies across the globe, including big wigs NASA, BBC, etc. So, we know Drupal is a popular resource — what we must also know is that Drupal 8 has already reached its end of life, while Drupal 7 is quickly inching towards its end-of-life date. That means the focus is now quickly shifting towards Drupal 9.
What is Drupal 9?
Quite simply, it is the latest iteration of Drupal. Released in June 2020, Drupal 9 is based on Drupal 8, albeit with many new features and significant improvements over Drupal 8. It must also be noted that Drupal 9 is a long-term support (LTS) release, i.e., the Drupal community will support it for at least five years.
Top Drupal 9 Modules For Your Drupal Project
●Layout builder: If you look for agile and tailored page layouts, albeit ones that do not necessarily need extensive coding, then the layout builder module is exactly what you are seeking. Thanks to its drag-and-drop interface for arranging and configuring content components on a page, one can exercise better control over the layout and design of the content. This makes it substantially easier to build dynamic pages that are also visually appealing.
●Views: It is a must-have module for creating and managing dynamic lists, grids, and tables of content on your Drupal site. It provides a powerful and flexible interface for site builders to create custom content displays without writing code.
●Pathauto: This feature simplifies URL management by automatically generating clean, SEO-friendly URLs based on your content's title. This module helps improve search engine optimization and enhances the user experience.
●Token: It offers a simple way to add dynamic placeholders, including node titles, paths, and email templates, in various parts of your site. It's often a dependency for other modules and allows for greater flexibility in content customization.
●Webform: This is a versatile module for creating and managing forms on your Drupal site. It offers an easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface, integration with various third-party services, and extensive reporting features.
●Paragraphs: It is one of the essential modules for creating structured content. It enables you to create reusable components or sections of content, making it easier to build complex page layouts without relying on custom code.
●Media: This module simplifies the management of media assets, including images, audio, and video. It provides a central repository for media files and allows accessible media embedding in content.
●Layout Builder: A core module in Drupal 9 provides a powerful way to customize page layouts without complex theming. It allows site builders to arrange content blocks and elements visually.
●Google Analytics: Integrating Google Analytics with Drupal site is essential for tracking user behavior, site performance, and visitor demographics. Further, the Google Analytics module simplifies adding tracking codes to your site.
●Path Redirect: When restructuring your site or updating content, Path Redirect helps manage redirects from old URLs to new ones. This is crucial for maintaining SEO and ensuring a seamless user experience.
●Backup and Migrate: Regularly backing up your Drupal site is crucial for disaster recovery and migrations. The Backup and Migrate module simplifies the backup and restoration process.
●Honeypot: It is a security module that helps combat spam submissions in forms. It uses a hidden field to detect and block automated spam bots, reducing the need for CAPTCHA challenges.
●Search API: This is a robust module for enhancing site search functionality. It allows you to create custom search indexes, implement faceted search, and integrate with external search engines like Solr and Elasticsearch.
●Yoast SEO: If you're focused on search engine optimization, the Yoast SEO module serves as a valuable addition. It provides tools for optimizing content for search engines, including on-page SEO recommendations.
●Admin Toolbar: A user interface improvement module that provides an alternative to the default administration menu. It offers a more intuitive and user-friendly admin experience for site administrators.
●Rules: This is a versatile module for automating actions and reactions on your Drupal site. It allows you to create complex conditional logic without writing custom code.
One must remember that the availability and popularity of Drupal modules tend to evolve. So, it is wise to review module recommendations regularly. Or you could engage the services of a trusted Drupal website development firm.
Kaushal Shah manages digital marketing communications for the enterprise technology services provided by Rishabh Software.