Drupal modules are the cornerstone of any Drupal site. These components are essential because they enhance the functionality of your website and, depending on the module, they can help you stand out through customization.
There are three main types of Drupal modules:
- Core modules - they include Drupal core and default functionalities.
- Contributed modules - modules developed by the Drupal community.
- Custom modules - designed to be tailored to the customer’s needs.
How to choose the best Drupal modules for your website
Choosing the right Drupal module is crucial for optimizing your website’s performance and functionality. To make an informed choice, you should consider the following criteria:
Compatibility
Before deciding on a Drupal module, you should find out which version of Drupal you are using on your website. Lack of compatibility with the module can lead to functionality issues and conflicts with the other Drupal security modules installed on your website. To ensure full compatibility, you can check the details of the Drupal module you selected on Drupal.org.
Performance
While Drupal SEO modules are free, they can demand significant resources to operate efficiently. Lack of these resources can negatively impact the overall performance of your site, resulting in a lower quality of the user experience.
Updates
The best Drupal modules are secure because they are constantly updated by their developers. However, it is crucial to regularly check for updates and apply them promptly. Even well-maintained modules can occasionally have vulnerabilities that need to be addressed. Keeping your modules up-to-date helps protect your website from potential security threats and ensures that you benefit from the latest features and improvements. Furthermore, you should choose a module whose developer you can contact quickly and easily in case problems arise. Checking the Last Update page also shows you how quickly the developer fixes bugs.
Popularity
Drupal modules with a higher number of uses are often more reliable, safer, and well-supported. They offer more detailed documentation and better community support.
14 Top Drupal modules: a list of the must have features
The choice of the Drupal module for your website is highly dependent on your preferences and necessities, more than just your budget. However, there are some indispensable Drupal modules that can greatly enhance the site’s performance.
Admin Toolbar
Using the Admin Toolbar module on your website can enhance the default admin interface thanks to its sleek drop-down toolbar. This streamlines navigation, improving productivity and simplifying site management.
Paragraphs (and Paragraphs Library)
The Paragraphs module is important for content creation, because it lets you create and manage different types of elements, from text blocks to multimedia. This allows you to take a more structured approach to content creation, but at the same time offers more flexibility.
The Paragraphs Library extends this functionality by offering a collection of reusable paragraph types. The result is a more intuitive user experience and seamless content management.
Views
The Views module is a powerful tool for creating custom lists and reports from your site’s data. It allows you to define and display data in a flexible manner, enabling you to build tailored pages, blocks, and other displays. With Views, you can filter, sort, and organize content based on specific criteria; as a result, your dynamic content will be presented more effectively and its management will be easier.
Taxonomy
The Taxonomy module provides a robust system for categorizing and tagging content. By creating custom vocabularies and terms, you can organize content into meaningful categories, improving content classification and searchability. This module is particularly useful for managing large volumes of content, allowing users to navigate and find information more easily through well-structured taxonomies.
Media
The Media module is designed to improve the management of media assets such as images, videos, and documents. It offers a unified interface for uploading, organizing, and embedding media within your content. This module simplifies the integration of multimedia elements into your site, ensuring efficiency.
Webform
The Webform module is essential to every kind of website because it provides a user-friendly interface for designing complex forms and surveys. The module is easily customizable and manageable. Thanks to this component, you can gather inputs, feedback and other types of data from your users.
Layout Builder
Thanks to its drag-and-drop interface, the Layout Builder module allows you to design and arrange page components with ease, providing greater flexibility in how content is displayed. With this Drupal module, you can create unique and visually appealing page layouts without needing to write custom code, enhancing the overall design and user experience of your site.
Redirect
Over time, you might need to change your URLs or remove pages from your website. The Redirect module helps you manage these redirections, ensuring a smooth transition to the correct pages and avoiding broken links. This aspect is crucial for maintaining SEO and enhancing user experience.
Pathauto
The Pathauto module automates the generation of SEO-friendly URLs based on configurable patterns. It reduces the need for manual URL editing and simplifies URL management by creating clean, descriptive paths for content, which enhances search engine visibility and user navigation.
Google Analytics
The Google Analytics module integrates Google Analytics 4 with your Drupal site, providing valuable insights into user behavior, traffic sources, and site performance. By tracking and analyzing key metrics, you can make data-driven decisions to optimize your site’s content and user experience. This module is essential for understanding how visitors interact with your site and identifying areas for improvement.
Metatag
Meta descriptions, keywords, and other tags are extremely important to improve your website’s visibility and relevance, but adding them manually can be tedious. By managing the meta tags on your Drupal website, the Metatag module allows you streamline this process, thus improving SEO and allowing you more control on how your content is presented to users.
Simple XML Sitemap
The Simple XML Sitemap module generates an XML sitemap for your site, which helps search engines index your pages more efficiently. An XML sitemap provides a structured overview of your website’s content, making it easier for search engines to crawl and understand its structure. This Drupal module is crucial for improving SEO and enhancing visibility for your important pages.
Field Group
To enhance user experience, organizing content effectively is crucial. The Field Group module allows you to neatly present and manage fields within content types and forms. By grouping related fields into logical sections, it improves the structure and readability of both content entry and display. This ensures that complex data is presented in a user-friendly manner, making content management more intuitive and accessible.
Video Embed
The Video Embed module simplifies the integration of videos into your content, enhancing the multimedia experience of your website. This component supports embedding videos from various sources, including YouTube and Vimeo. Additionally, you can customize display settings.
How to add Drupal Modules to a website
Adding Drupal 10 modules to your website is an extremely simple process that includes only a few steps:
Search and download your desired module from Drupal.org
The first step is to find the Drupal module you need for your website. You can find over 24.000 modules on Drupal.org, where a filter option allows you to narrow down the search. Make sure to filter the search for your version of Drupal, to ensure compatibility with your website. You can also filter the search by category, popularity, and status.
Once you have found the Drupal module you wish to download, click on its name to read the details. If you’re certain that the component is compatible with your website, scroll down to downloads, and find the correct version you need. Drupal.org offers a clear view of the versions available, so it’s wise to rely on the Recommended release section.
Install the module using the Drupal Admin Interface
Once you have downloaded the Drupal module you need (usually it comes in a .zip or tar.gz file), installation requires admin access. If you haven’t already, you should login with your Drupal admin credentials, which should bring you directly to the Extend page. By clicking on ‘Install new module’, you will be able to see the Drupal modules you can install. You can install your Drupal module by pasting an URL in the intended section, or upload the file you’d previously downloaded.
Need help with Drupal modules integration? Get in touch and let us help you!
Partnering with OSWorkshop.com means entrusting the success of your website to Drupal experts that will ensure you get the most out of your modules and overall website functionality. Contact us today for a free consultation and let us assist you in optimizing your Drupal site.
