Top 8 Challenges When Migrating from Drupal 7 to Drupal 10 or 11
Migrating from Drupal 7 to Drupal 10 or 11 can be quite challenging. Common issues, such as neglecting a detailed website analysis or failing to prioritize user training, frequently result in delays, increased costs, and frustration. In this blog post, we’ll explore the top pitfalls in Drupal migration and provide tips on how to avoid them, helping you make the transition smoother and more predictable.
Incomplete analysis of the current website
Challenge
One of the biggest pitfalls in migrating Drupal 7 to the latest version is jumping into the project without fully understanding the structure of the current website. Skipping a thorough analysis of the database, content types, and custom modules often leads to mid-project surprises. The traps usually include unplanned content adjustments, new custom code, or database changes - all of which add time and complexity to the process.
Impact
When these elements aren’t analyzed up front, initial project estimates are off. As the team discovers hidden complexities, they face a wave of new tasks and change requests that drive up both the costs and timeline. The result? A project goes over budget, takes longer than expected, and causes frustration for the client and the development team.
Solution
The best way to avoid these pitfalls is to start with a detailed audit of your Drupal 7 website. You can catalog all content types, custom modules, and unique configurations or data structures. Documenting this complexity at the outset allows the team to accurately estimate the scope and anticipate potential issues. This approach provides a clear view of migration requirements and helps keep the project on track.
Complex content types and fields to migrate
Challenge
Migrating from Drupal 7 to Drupal 11 or 10 becomes especially tricky when you’re dealing with complex content types. Content with multiple references, embedded paragraphs, or custom data fields can quickly become complicated to move over.
Impact
If you don’t carefully consider these content structures from the start, there may be problems with content transfer, which will increase the implementation time and costs. In some cases, the team might even have to cut back on the amount of data migrated to stay within budget, which could limit the new website’s functionality.
Solution
To avoid these issues, take the time upfront to fully understand the structure of each content type. Look at how fields interact and identify any migration challenges they might present for the migration. Having a clear plan helps set an accurate budget and timeline to ensure the project is running smoothly.
Inaccurate project scope definition before Drupal 7 to 10/11 migration
Challenge
Defining project scope sounds simple, but essential tasks are often overlooked. These include, for example, server setup, SEO, security settings, user training, accessibility compliance checks, backup and disaster recovery, testing and QA, and analytics setup. These “small” tasks are crucial for a smooth launch.
Impact
Overlooking key tasks at the project planning stage often generates serious difficulties. For example, failure to consider basic requirements, such as security compliance or accessibility, can result in security vulnerabilities, regulatory burdens, or user frustration. Neglecting testing or analytics setup impacts post-launch usability, performance, and decision-making. These issues collectively jeopardize the project’s success, creating inefficiencies and diminishing trust in the final product.
Solution
For a project to run smoothly, it's a good idea to start with a clearly defined process for identifying potential gaps. Collaboration with stakeholders and technical teams is key at this stage, allowing you to align expectations and develop a detailed checklist that addresses all aspects of the project. Regularly reviewing and adjusting the scope in response to new requirements helps maintain alignment with project goals. A well-defined scope not only minimizes the risk of unexpected problems but also promotes better communication and accountability, ensuring that all key tasks are prioritized and completed on time.
Module compatibility and replacement needs
Challenge
Assuming Drupal 7 modules will work in Drupal 10/11 is a common mistake. Many modules don’t have direct replacements or require different solutions, leading to unexpected work finding or creating alternatives.
Impact
Skipping the module compatibility check in the migration process often results in unexpected migration challenges. Teams may need to spend additional hours identifying alternative modules, customizing functionality, or even developing entirely new solutions to replace unsupported features. This delays the project timeline and can also strain budgets and resources, especially if unforeseen issues arise during testing. In addition, the complexity of adding custom fixes can pose risks to site stability and performance, potentially requiring further adjustments after going live.
Solution
Start with a thorough audit of Drupal 7 modules, using tools like Upgrade Status to identify supported upgrades or gaps requiring custom development. Where modules lack direct replacements, consider leveraging core features in Drupal 10/11. Create a detailed migration roadmap with clear timelines for testing and implementation. You can also reach out to the Drupal community or module maintainers to find solutions to your problems. This proactive planning ensures a smoother migration, controlling costs and avoiding delays.
Re-theming and design challenges during Drupal 7 to 10/11 migration
Challenge
Drupal 11 and 10 introduce a new theme system that significantly differs from previous versions. Themes built for Drupal 7 or 8 cannot be directly transferred, as the underlying structure requires a complete rework. This means developers must rebuild the theme from scratch, ensuring compatibility with the modern theming standards of Drupal 10 and 11, including the use of the Twig engine. For projects with custom designs, this process can be particularly demanding.
Impact
Re-theming adds extra work to the project as developers have to recreate the look and feel of the original website. This can be time-consuming, especially if you’re aiming to keep the design consistent and on-brand with your brand identity. If this stage is underestimated, it may lead to delays, increased costs, and unexpected compromises in design quality. For businesses relying heavily on custom visual identity, re-theming becomes a critical aspect of the migration process that directly affects how users perceive and interact with the web page.
Solution
Plan for a full theme redevelopment, starting with a thorough audit of the current design elements and identifying which components can be optimized or modernized. Work closely with designers and developers to ensure the theme aligns with the brand’s visual identity and the capabilities of Drupal 10 and 11. Leverage the opportunities offered by the new theme system, such as improved accessibility, responsiveness, and performance.
Performance optimization requirements
Challenge
Moving to Drupal 10 or 11 brings a host of new features and structural improvements, but it also requires a new approach to performance optimization. Legacy performance configurations from Drupal 7 or 8 are often incompatible with the newer systems, requiring a complete re-evaluation of caching and database efficiency. If these updates are neglected, the website may underperform and fail to take full advantage of the new architecture.
Impact
Without proper performance adjustments, websites migrating to Drupal 10 or 11 risk running slower than their previous versions. This can lead to longer load times, decreased user satisfaction, and even a drop in search engine rankings due to slower page speeds. Poor performance can also strain server resources, resulting in higher hosting costs and potential downtime during high-traffic periods. Ultimately, these issues negatively impact the user experience, reduce engagement, and can hinder the achievement of business goals tied to the web page.
Solution
Dedicate time and resources to a thorough performance re-optimization for Drupal 10 and 11. Start with an audit of the bottlenecks, focusing on areas such as caching strategies, image optimization, database queries, and frontend assets. By implementing these optimizations early, you ensure a seamless, fast-loading experience for users while maintaining high operational efficiency.
Developer experience and skills gaps as migration challenges
Challenge
Successfully transitioning from Drupal 7 to Drupal 10 or 11 demands a team equipped to handle the complexities of both platforms. The differences in architecture, theming, and module systems require a nuanced understanding to ensure a smooth migration. Developers unfamiliar with these changes may struggle with many tasks.
Impact
Without the right skills, critical elements of the migration can be mishandled, leading to inefficiencies and roadblocks. It can result in underestimating the scope of work. This often leads to missed deadlines, budget overruns, and subpar implementations that require rework. Inexperienced teams may encounter unforeseen migration challenges during key stages, such as data migration or integrating updated modules, which can stall progress and lead to frustration.
Solution
Ensure the team includes developers with strong expertise in both Drupal 7 and Drupal 10/11. These professionals should have experience in handling migrations, including tasks like custom code rewriting, module compatibility assessment, and leveraging Drupal 10/11’s new features. If in-house skills are insufficient, consider partnering with experienced consultants from the Drupal agency to guide the process, identify potential risks, and implement best practices.
User training and documentation
Challenge
Adapting to Drupal 10 or 11 can be challenging for admins and editors, especially when the interface and workflows differ significantly from Drupal 7. Training and documentation are often overlooked in project planning, leaving users unprepared to handle the new system’s features and processes effectively. Without a clear understanding of how to manage content, navigate the updated interface, or use new tools, users may struggle to perform day-to-day tasks.
Impact
If users aren't properly trained, they may find the new system confusing, leading to frustration, reduced efficiency, and delays in their work. This can increase dependency on the development team or support channels, driving up costs and diverting resources away from other priorities. Poor user adoption may also result in not using the new system’s features, limiting the return on investment and undermining the migration’s success.
Solution
Incorporate user training and comprehensive documentation into the migration costs and plan. Provide tailored sessions that address the specific needs of admins and editors, focusing on essential tasks such as content management, workflows, and system customization. Supplement training with detailed, easy-to-navigate documentation, including step-by-step guides and FAQs, to support users after the initial sessions. Consider using video tutorials or interactive demos to enhance learning and retention.
Drupal 7 to 10/11 migration challenges - summary
Migrating to Drupal 10/11 comes with a range of challenges that, if unplanned, can lead to project delays, budget overruns, and frustration. From conducting a detailed website analysis and planning for complex content types to addressing module compatibility and re-theming needs, every step requires careful attention. Including essential tasks like performance optimization, developer experience considerations, and user training in the project scope can make a big difference in the migration’s success. By proactively identifying these common issues and incorporating solutions, you can ensure a smoother, more predictable Drupal 7 migration that stays on budget and delivers a well-functioning, future-ready website.
