Being the two most dominant Content Management Systems (CMS), WordPress and Drupal have numerous advantages and demerits against each other.

To understand the whole environment within which these two giants thrive, let us first see what CMS is and how it operates. This way, we shall have a more objective analysis of which between Drupal and WordPress is better for your business website.

What is Content Management System?

According to Techopedia, Content Management System is an interface that allows users to publish content directly to the Web. While this article will only focus on the merits and demerits of WordPress v Drupal, there a bunch of CMS out there.

CMS are categorized into four groups.

  • Web content management systems
  • Enterprise management systems
  • Component content management systems
  • Web group content management systems

Why do businesses need Content Management Systems?

As consumption bends towards the digital world, businesses are increasingly ensuring customers are reached wherever they are. CMS helps businesses to tailor messages and information according to audience preferences.

CMSs also allow businesses to employ elaborate marketing strategies to directly target potential clients.

Additionally, CMS allows businesses to maintain organizational structures, standards and ethic while delivering content to prospects and existing clients.

WordPress v Drupal

As we mentioned earlier on, comparing WordPress vs Drupal is quite a task. This is because there are some desirable qualities in both of the CMSs which lack in the other. Similarly, there are major disadvantages in both which lack in the other.

WordPress

Well, let’s just say it. WordPress is the leading Content Management System. In fact, WordPress controls the lion’s share of 60% of all websites when it comes to known CMSs. Only developed in 2003 as a blogging platform, WordPress has developed over the years to include even E-commerce websites.

As a result of the years of improvement, popular brands that use WordPress are:

  • Facebook
  • Mercedes Benz
  • Walt Disney Company
  • BBC America
  • Bloomberg, among other notable brands.

Advantages of WordPress

Ease of Use: WordPress is developed with the averagely skilled person in mind. You can, therefore, input data, manipulate it and customize it with much ease.

Scalability: As the stored information increases in size and category, WordPress plugins help to scale the efficiency of the website. As a result, you do not have to customize even as your website visitors go up.

WordPress is Versatile: With WordPress, you can create virtually any website with it. E-commerce, rating websites, job boards, e-Learning modules, Membership sites, etc. This level of versatility offers clients little restrictions to create whatever they want however they want it.

Low cost of development: Developing a WordPress website is easier than the Drupal website. Additionally, hiring WordPress developers is also more cost-effective as compared to Drupal.

Disadvantages of WordPress

Security concerns: WordPress allows thousands of third-party plugins into its CMS. These plugins could pose a major security threat to the website.

Limited customization: WordPress was initially developed as a blogging platform. It is, therefore, more rigid for customizations as compared to Drupal

Drupal

What many people may not be aware of is that Drupal came before WordPress in 2000. It is usually preferred as a security-centric CMS as well as its advanced build.

It also enjoys a loyal following from

  • White House
  • Nasa.gov
  • State of Colorado
  • The Economist
  • Pinterest for Business, among other notable brands.

Advantages of Drupal

Customization: Drupal offers more flexible custom content and views as compared to WordPress. This results into better User experience (UX).

Support for Multi-lingual websites: Drupal 8 offers advanced support for different languages while WordPress needs a plugin to do the same.

Security: Drupal has an embedded security structure in its build which makes it a favorite for governments and security-minded institutions.

Disadvantages of Drupal

Less plugins: Drupal offers far less plugins as compared to WordPress. This means you can only do so much.

Higher cost of development: Due to the complexity of the Drupal, User Interface and experience, it is more costly to build and even maintain.

Conclusion

When you are choosing which platform to use for your business, you should think scalability, customization and user-friendliness. Similarly, it has to be something cost-effective to build and maintain. This only leaves you with WordPress as the better option.