Not Ready To Migrate? How Drupal 7 Never-Ending Support Can Buy Your Business More Time

Introduction

Drupal 7, launched over a decade ago, is reportedly used by 42.2% of all Drupal-based websites. Despite this substantial user base, Drupal 7 will reach its End Of Life (EOL) on 5 January 2025, which means it will no longer receive security updates or bug fixes.

As this deadline looms, the pressure to migrate can feel overwhelming. Many organizations find themselves in a difficult position, struggling to balance the need for an updated CMS with the resources and expertise required to migrate to Drupal 10 or 11.

Drupal 7 never-ending support can provide a vital buffer, offering organizations the time and security needed to plan and execute a thoughtful migration strategy without rushing the process.

Why You Should Consider Drupal 7 Never-Ending Support

Drupal 7 never-ending support is designed to extend the life of your Drupal 7 site beyond the official support timeline. This option is valuable for organizations that need more time to migrate their systems due to complex architectures, tight budgets, or other operational constraints.

With Drupal 7 never-ending support, organizations can maintain their site’s security, performance, and functionality without rushing through the migration process.

Some of the major benefits of Drupal 7 never-ending support are:

1. Security And Compliance

One of the primary concerns with continuing to use Drupal 7 post-end-of-life is the lack of official security updates. Drupal 7 never-ending support offers a solution by providing ongoing security patches and updates. This ensures that your site remains secure from vulnerabilities, which is particularly crucial for organizations in regulated industries that must adhere to strict compliance standards.

2. Cost-Effective Transition

Migrating from Drupal 7 to a newer version can be a significant investment in terms of time, resources, and budget. By opting for Drupal 7 never-ending support, you can spread out the costs of migration over a longer period, allowing for a more manageable and phased approach. This can be especially beneficial for smaller organizations or those with limited budgets.

3. Tailored Support For Complex Sites

For organizations with complex Drupal 7 architectures, migrating to Drupal 10 or 11 is not a simple task. It requires careful planning, testing, and execution to ensure a successful transition. Drupal 7 never-ending support gives you the time to thoroughly assess your site’s needs, customize your migration strategy, and avoid the pitfalls of a rushed upgrade.

4. Minimal Disruption To Business Operations

Business continuity is a critical consideration when planning a CMS migration. A hurried transition can lead to downtime, disruptions in service, and a negative impact on your organization’s reputation.

With Drupal 7 never-ending support, you can maintain your site’s stability while working on a long-term plan for migration. This minimizes disruption and ensures that your digital operations continue to run smoothly.

Ready To Migrate From Drupal 7? Here Are Your Options

Whether you're looking to upgrade to the latest version of Drupal or considering a move to a different platform, planning your next steps is crucial to minimize disruption and maximize the benefits of your new CMS.

Option 1: Upgrading From Drupal 7 To Drupal 10 Or 11

Upgrading to Drupal 10 or 11 is the most straightforward path for organizations that want to stay within the Drupal ecosystem. Drupal 10 offers enhanced features, improved performance, and long-term support, making it an excellent choice for maintaining and growing your digital presence. 

How Axelerant Helped The National Law Review Migrate From Drupal 7 To Drupal 9

The National Law Review (NLR) is a leading American law journal and legal news site, providing hourly updates on court decisions, regulatory changes, and legislation. With a history spanning over 135 years and contributions from more than 400 publishers, NLR is a vital resource for legal professionals and enthusiasts.

The National Law Review encountered major difficulties migrating its website from Drupal 7 to Drupal 9. The discovery phase revealed that NLR's Drupal core and contributed modules were outdated, leading to possible migration issues and heightened security risks. Additionally, the legacy database had significant data inconsistencies. 

Axelerant helped the National Law Review migrate to Drupal 9, minimizing the need for custom scripts. This migration helped:

• Build a secure, modern platform with enhanced performance.
• Dramatically reduce the content publishing time, from weeks to just a few days, enabling NLR to provide timely and relevant content for their readers.
• Improve security and reliability, laying a solid foundation for NLR's extensive content and future growth.

Option 2: Migrating To Other Platforms

If you're considering moving away from Drupal altogether, migrating to a different CMS platform may be the right choice for your organization. This option allows you to explore other systems that may better align with your business needs, whether you're looking for different features, integrations, or ease of use.

How Axelerant Can Provide Drupal 7 Never-Ending Support For Your Business

As the end of official support for Drupal 7 approaches, there's no need to rush into a migration that might not be the best fit for your organization. Axelerant’s Drupal 7 never-ending support provides a practical solution, enabling you to use Drupal 7 securely and effectively while you prepare for a future migration.

With Axelerant’s Drupal 7 never-ending support, you receive:

• Comprehensive Support Services: Full support for your Drupal 7 site, including security updates, performance optimization, and ongoing maintenance.
• Strategic Migration Planning: Expert assistance in creating a customized migration plan that matches your organization’s goals and timeline.
• Expertise Across Drupal Versions: Proficiency in Drupal 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11, ensuring a smooth transition when you’re ready to migrate to the latest Drupal version.

If you’re still unsure about the best path forward, Axelerant’s experts are here to assist.

Schedule a call to explore how we can support your Drupal 7 site and guide you through the migration process when you're ready.