Drupal 11 is out! With the official release of Drupal 11 on August 2, 2024, the platform introduced several new advancements and features which were greatly missed in the previous versions.
Drupal, being one of the world's most flexible and robust content management systems (CMS), continues to evolve with the release of its new version. As anticipated, Drupal 11 is packed with features aimed at enhancing the user experience, strengthening performance, and improving development efficiency.
This release not only ensures that Drupal remains a top choice for web development for businesses but also signifies a strong commitment to innovation and adaptability.
Hence, if you’re considering a website upgrade or starting a new project, it’s the perfect time to look into Drupal 11. So in this blog, let’s unwrap the top features, improvements, and what these mean for your digital presence.
What’s new in Drupal 11?
[Source: Drupal]
Drupal 11 introduces a wealth of enhancements. It is designed to streamline content management, improve security, and elevate the user experience. With a modernised user interface, it makes content creation and administration more intuitive and mobile-friendly.
A major update is the integration of CKEditor 5, offering collaborative editing, advanced formatting options, and seamless media embedding, which simplifies the content editing process.
Automatic core and module updates enhance security by keeping sites up-to-date with minimal manual intervention. Enhanced support for headless CMS architecture and multilingual functionality caters to global and multi-channel demands.
With accessibility improvements and a focus on compliance, Drupal 11 promises a more inclusive, powerful platform suited for enterprise-level projects.
However, there are 6 models which are not supported by Drupal 11. These have been eliminated by this latest update on the basis of their contribution and use cases and are now being parted away from the Drupal core development.
Drupal 11 | |
What has been added? | What has been removed? |
CKEditor 5 with collaborative editing and enhanced media embedding | CKEditor 4 (older version of the editor) |
Automatic updates for core and modules to enhance security and ease of maintenance | Legacy update mechanisms |
Modernised, mobile-responsive admin interface and navigation improvement | Outdated, less responsive admin UI elements |
Improved caching mechanisms and optimized database queries | Deprecated caching configurations that slowed performance |
Enhanced language detection, improved translation workflows, and expanded language support | Old translation workflows and limited language support |
Enhanced support for JSON, GraphQL, and real-time webhooks | Less flexible API options for headless architecture |
Improved colour contrast, screen reader compatibility, and accessible form elements | Legacy accessibility practices that fell short of WCAG standards |
New and customizable theme options, along with responsive layout improvements | Deprecated themes incompatible with modern UI standards |
Expanded support for integration with modern tools and frameworks (e.g., React, Vue, and Angular) | Support for outdated or inflexible third-party integrations |
Improved API for decoupled Drupal (e.g., better JSON and webhook support) | Older REST API options with less functionality |
Enhanced backend tools, including faster database handling and refined data storage capabilities | Obsolete or slow database query mechanisms |
Key features and enhancements in Drupal 11
Drupal 11 hosts a series of new features and improvements to empower developers and content creators to build dynamic, scalable, and secure websites. Let us now see the key features and enhancements of this new version below:
Enhanced User Experience with Modern UI
Drupal 11 introduces a more refined, intuitive user interface (UI) that’s designed to simplify content creation and management. With fresh updates to the administrative dashboard, content creators can enjoy:
- Improved Content Editing Tools: Featuring modern editing options, including advanced text formatting, drag-and-drop options, and media handling.
- Responsive Design: The UI now supports a fully responsive layout, allowing administrators to edit and manage content effectively on mobile devices.
- Simplified Navigation: Updated navigation options make it easier for both experienced users and new administrators to access frequently used tools quickly.
This focus on usability makes it possible for non-technical users to manage their websites more effectively, streamlining workflows and reducing training time.
New and Improved CKEditor 5
CKEditor 5 is a significant upgrade in Drupal 11, replacing the previous CKEditor 4. CKEditor 5 offers an even better editing experience by providing:
- Collaborative Editing: Multiple users can work on content simultaneously, making it ideal for teams.
- Improved Formatting and Styling Options: New options help maintain brand consistency across your site.
- Advanced Media Embedding: Easily embed media content, such as videos and social media posts, with a few clicks.
[Source: CKEditor 5]
CKEditor 5 makes content editing feel modern and efficient, reducing the need for developers to step in for simple formatting tasks.
Automatic Updates for Core and Modules
One of the most exciting updates in Drupal 11 is the introduction of automatic updates for core and modules. This long-awaited feature brings the following benefits:
- Enhanced Security: Ensures that your Drupal website remains secure by automatically applying the latest security patches.
- Reduced Maintenance Overhead: Automates routine updates, freeing up valuable time for your development team to focus on custom development.
- Customizable Options: Choose between automatic and manual updates for specific modules, allowing flexibility based on your site’s unique requirements.
Automatic updates are a game-changer for companies that want to stay secure and up-to-date with minimal downtime.
Improved Backend Performance
Drupal 11 offers several backend improvements designed to speed up site performance and enhance stability, including:
- Faster Caching Mechanisms: Improved caching capabilities allow for faster page loads, contributing to better SEO rankings and user experience.
- Optimised Database Queries: By reducing the number of queries and increasing database efficiency, Drupal 11 enhances the CMS’s ability to handle high-traffic sites.
- Enhanced API Integrations: Support for more API-first functionality, enabling seamless integration with external systems and services.
These backend optimisations make Drupal 11 highly suitable for enterprise-level websites and applications with complex needs.
Improved Layout Builder with Drag-and-Drop
The Layout Builder in Drupal 11 is designed to be more user-friendly and customizable, featuring:
- Drag-and-Drop Functionality: Arrange and adjust page layouts without needing coding expertise.
- Flexible Grid Options: Customise grids and columns to achieve unique, branded designs.
- Reusable Layouts: Create reusable templates that can be applied across multiple pages, enhancing consistency and saving time.
This flexibility allows marketing teams and content editors to take charge of their website’s look and feel, freeing up developers for more strategic tasks.
Enhanced Multilingual Capabilities
With an increasingly global user base, Drupal 11 places a stronger emphasis on multilingual functionality, including:
- Simplified Translation Workflows: Improved language selection and translation workflows for a smoother localisation process.
- Automated Language Detection: Enhanced automation for detecting user languages and adjusting content accordingly.
- Extended Language Support: Offers more language options with updated dictionaries, making it easy to expand your reach globally.
These upgrades make Drupal 11 an excellent choice for organisations targeting multiple regions or countries.
Decoupled Architecture and Headless CMS Support
As headless CMS architectures grow in popularity, Drupal 11 continues to lead with decoupled capabilities. New updates include:
- Improved JSON and GraphQL Support: Facilitates data sharing across front-end frameworks like React, Angular, and Vue.
- Webhooks for Real-Time Updates: Enable real-time content delivery to external applications, ensuring consistency across platforms.
- Flexible Content Distribution: Manage and distribute content to mobile apps, digital kiosks, and IoT devices with ease.
For businesses needing advanced content distribution, Drupal 11’s headless capabilities are ideal for multi-channel strategies.
Stronger Focus on Accessibility and Compliance
Web Accessibility has been a strong focus in Drupal 11, ensuring websites built on this platform meet WCAG standards and offer an inclusive experience. Improvements include:
- Enhanced Colour Contrast Options for visually impaired users.
- Screen Reader Compatibility for all new UI elements.
- Accessible Form Elements for easier navigation by keyboard users.
By building a Drupal 11 website, you’re not only offering an inclusive experience but also meeting legal compliance standards.
Choosing Drupal 11 for your next project?
Heading towards starting a new project? Quickly get the best quote for your project from the Drupal development companies because nothing can make the better choice other than Drupal 11 itself.
Drupal 11 is currently in its minor version, Drupal 11.1. However, looking at its series of enhancements and features, it is needless to say that this version can be highly beneficial to businesses compared to its previous versions like Drupal 10. |
Drupal 11’s latest enhancements cater to both technical and non-technical users, providing an improved user interface, faster backend performance, and streamlined content creation tools.
The introduction of automatic updates for core and modules greatly reduces maintenance efforts and improves security, keeping your site up-to-date with minimal manual intervention.
For businesses looking to expand globally, Drupal 11 brings advanced multilingual capabilities and enhanced accessibility, ensuring your content can reach a diverse audience while meeting compliance standards.
Additionally, with its strong support for decoupled architecture and APIs, Drupal 11 is well-suited for headless CMS implementations, making it a great choice for multi-channel content distribution across platforms such as mobile apps and IoT devices.
Overall, upgrading to Drupal 11 not only future-proofs your digital infrastructure but also positions your business to deliver more engaging and efficient user experiences.
Partnering with an experienced Drupal development agency
Upgrading to Drupal 11 is more than just a technical enhancement—it’s a strategic decision that can impact your site’s functionality, user experience, and performance.
However, sometimes the migration process or building an entirely new website on Drupal 11 can be a daunting process. Here comes a need of a strategic and experienced Drupal development partner who can understand your needs and provide the best outcome.
With Enterprise Monkey as your partner, you can fully leverage Drupal 11’s features to create a robust digital experience tailored to your business needs. Our expertise in Drupal ensures that your website is not only visually compelling but also optimised for performance, security, and scalability.
With us you can expect:
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Conclusion
Drupal 11 is poised to bring a new era of flexibility, performance, and user-friendliness to web development. From enhanced editing capabilities to improved security and accessibility, this release provides valuable tools and features for businesses aiming to provide top-tier digital experiences.
Don’t miss out on the benefits of Drupal 11! With Enterprise Monkey as your Drupal development company, whether you’re upgrading an existing site or creating a new one, we can provide you with the experience and expertise to help you leverage every feature of Drupal’s latest version effectively.
Contact us today to see how we can bring your digital vision to life with Drupal 11.