Drupal 7 reached end-of-life in January 2025
Drupal Upgrades & Migrations
We've upgraded dozens of Drupal sites — from legacy D7 migrations to straightforward D8–11 in-place upgrades. Let's talk about yours.
Upgrade paths
How We Approach Your Upgrade
The process depends entirely on the version of Drupal you're currently running. Here's what each path looks like.
Drupal 7 uses a fundamentally different architecture than Drupal 10/11, so upgrading requires a full migration: we move your content into a fresh Drupal installation rather than upgrading in place.
What gets migrated
- All content (pages, blog posts, custom content types)
- Users and their permissions
- Files, images, and media
- Menu structure and navigation
- URL paths (so your links don't break)
What gets rebuilt
- Your theme (updated to be mobile-responsive)
- Custom modules (rewritten using modern Drupal APIs)
- Any custom JavaScript or CSS
Drupal 8, 9, 10, and 11 share the same underlying architecture, making upgrades much more straightforward. We upgrade in place — no migration needed.
Typical process
- Update your hosting environment (PHP 8.1+, current database version)
- Upgrade Drupal core to the next major version
- Update all contributed modules to compatible versions
- Test and fix any issues with custom code
- Repeat for each major version until you're current
The case for upgrading
Why Upgrade Your Drupal Site?
Enhanced Security
Outdated Drupal versions no longer receive security patches — every unpatched vulnerability is a door left open. Staying current means staying protected.
- Latest security patches applied automatically
- Drupal 7 is actively unpatched since January 2025
- Reduced attack surface from modern APIs
Improved Performance
Newer Drupal versions come with significant performance improvements under the hood. Modern PHP alone is 2–3× faster than the versions Drupal 7 ran on.
- Better caching (fewer database queries)
- Modern PHP support (2–3× faster)
- Optimized database queries built in
Access to New Features
Modern Drupal has evolved dramatically. Your upgraded site can take advantage of capabilities that simply didn't exist in older versions.
- Layout Builder: drag-and-drop page building
- Media Library: better image and file management
- API-First: connect to mobile apps and other systems
Better Scalability
As your business grows, so do your website's needs. A current Drupal version is architected to scale — handling increased traffic and complex content structures.
- Handles traffic spikes without breaking
- Supports complex content architectures
- Multi-site management options
Enhanced User Experience
Every Drupal major version improves the experience for both site visitors and content editors. Your team will work faster and your visitors will engage more.
- Better mobile experience for visitors
- Improved accessibility compliance
- Modern admin UI for your content team
How we do it
Our Upgrade Process
Every upgrade starts with understanding your specific situation. Here's what working with us looks like from start to finish.
Site Audit
We evaluate your current Drupal site: version, module inventory, custom code, content volume, and any third-party integrations (payment gateways, CRMs, etc.). This tells us exactly what we're working with before we commit to a timeline or price.
Planning & Estimate
Based on the audit, we provide a detailed project estimate, a realistic timeline, and recommendations for improvements. This consultation is free and there's no obligation — you're welcome to use our estimate for planning or to compare with other vendors.
Development
We build your upgraded site in a development environment while your current site stays live. You don't experience any downtime during development. We'll show you work-in-progress and incorporate your feedback before launch.
Testing
Before launch, we thoroughly test that all functionality works, content migrated correctly, forms send email properly, the site looks right on desktop and mobile, and performance is solid.
Launch
When everything's tested and approved, we schedule launch at a time that works for you — often outside business hours. The actual cutover typically takes 1–2 hours. We do a final content sync, switch DNS, and you're live. We always have a rollback plan ready.
Post-Launch Support
After launch, we provide ongoing support to fix any issues that come up and answer questions about managing your new site. Many of our upgrade clients become long-term maintenance clients.
Common questions
Common Questions About Drupal Upgrades
Will my site go down during the upgrade?
No. We build the upgraded site in a separate development environment while your current site stays fully live. When we're ready to launch, there's a brief DNS cutover (typically 1–2 hours, often scheduled outside business hours). We always have a rollback plan in case anything unexpected comes up.
What happens to my custom modules?
We review every custom module during the audit. For each one, we'll recommend the best approach: rewrite it for the new version using modern Drupal code, replace it with a contributed module if equivalent functionality exists, or eliminate it if it's no longer needed or is now part of Drupal core.
Do you preserve all my content?
Yes — 100% of your content gets migrated. We don't delete anything without asking you first. We do filter out obvious spam (like spam comments) and give you the option to clean up content you no longer need, but nothing is removed without your approval.
How long does a Drupal upgrade take?
Timelines vary by site complexity. A Drupal 8–10 in-place upgrade can often be completed in 2–4 weeks. A Drupal 7 migration with significant custom code typically takes 6–12 weeks. We provide a detailed estimate after the initial site audit.
What does the free estimate include?
We review your site, assess the full scope (modules, custom code, content, integrations), and provide a detailed written estimate — at no charge and with no obligation. You'll get a realistic timeline and specific recommendations. You're welcome to use that estimate for your own planning or to compare with other vendors.
Ready to get started?
Whether you have a detailed spec or just an idea, we're happy to talk it through. Tell us about your project and we'll respond within one business day.