Drupal vs. WordPress: Both Drupal and WordPress are big players in the world of Content Management Systems (CMS). Even though both platforms have very similar release dates, WordPress has a customer base that is almost ten times larger than Drupal. But does this mean that it is ten times better? Let’s take a look at some of the differences.
The Issue of Size
WordPress was originally designed as a blogging platform. It lacks the ability to manage large numbers of web pages and massive amounts of content volume which can ultimately create a much slower user experience. But Drupal can support everything from a thousand-page website to a single static page, even in cases where thousands of readers are reviewing the website at the same time.
Website Security
WordPress requires the use of multiple plugins that not only slow down the upload speeds for the reader but also have tremendous vulnerabilities to hacking, especially if the plugins become outdated. Drupal, on the other hand, is so secure that even government agencies use it due to its enterprise-levels of security and its ability to provide highly-detailed security reports in an instant.
Multiple Authors
For websites used as a publishing platform with multiple authors and profiles, WordPress is likely the better choice. WordPress allows many different ways to manage the work of numerous authors. For example, you can simply view the work of “subscribed authors.” Or you can review and edit the work of authors before publishing by simply changing the plugins and settings.
Does Google Prefer one over the other?
While search engines like Google, Yahoo, and Bing have no specific preferences to any individual platform, there are a couple of differences between WordPress and Drupal that you might find interesting. Both have a certain level of SEO already built into them, but Drupal is specifically designed to be search-engine friendly. With WordPress sites, webmasters need to install additional plugins to make this happen.
Who Uses Each Platform?
Advocates of WordPress include CNN and The New York Times. Meanwhile, Drupal enthusiasts include The Economist and The White House. But no single platform is designed to handle every type of website. Those focused on publishing creative content tend to run more efficiently with WordPress. Drupal is the preferred choice for a stable and easily scalable website where visual aesthetics is secondary to consistent adaptability and efficiency.
So, The Winner Is….?
Obviously, that depends on the type of website that you are designing. You’ll need to consider not only what your needs are now but what they will be in the future as well. Take some time to review your options. You’ll be happier in the long run.
Please take time to visit the Drupal or WordPress organization websites.
For more information on various CMS platforms we at Kento Systems in the Los Angeles area support, please feel free to contact us at 310-882-7755.