Drupal Basics: From Installation to First Page

Drupal Basics: From Installation to First Page

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If you’re new to Drupal web development, you might feel overwhelmed at first. Known as one of the most powerful and flexible content management systems (CMS), Drupal powers everything from small NGO websites to enterprise-grade platforms. Unlike some simpler CMS options, Drupal provides unparalleled scalability, security, and customization — making it a favorite for organizations that want a future-proof digital presence.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through Drupal basics, covering the installation process and how to create your very first page. Whether you’re a small business owner, a non-profit organization, or an enterprise looking for a robust digital solution, this blog will help you understand why Drupal is the right choice and how to get started.

As a Drupal web agency, we’ve helped numerous clients set up and optimize their Drupal websites, and this guide reflects our expertise in ensuring smooth onboarding for new Drupal users.

Why Choose Drupal?

Before diving into the Drupal installation guide, let’s look at why so many organizations prefer Drupal over other CMS platforms:

  • Scalability: Perfect for small websites that might grow into enterprise-level platforms.
  • Security: Drupal is known for its enterprise-grade security and dedicated security team.
  • Flexibility: With thousands of contributed modules, Drupal can be tailored to fit unique business needs.
  • Multilingual support: A built-in multilingual framework makes it ideal for global businesses.
  • Community support: A large community of developers ensures continuous innovation and assistance.

For businesses and NGOs that want a robust website capable of handling growth, Drupal stands out as the clear winner.

Step 1: Preparing Your Server for Drupal Installation

To begin, you’ll need a suitable environment for installing Drupal. The basic server requirements for Drupal 10 installation are:

  • Web server: Apache, Nginx, or Microsoft IIS
  • Database: MySQL/MariaDB, PostgreSQL, or SQLite
  • PHP: Version 8.1 or higher (depending on your Drupal version)
  • Composer: Essential for managing Drupal and contributed dependencies

Many hosting providers now offer Drupal hosting solutions with one-click installations, but if you want better control and optimization, manual setup is recommended.

Pro Tip from Our Drupal Experts:

If you are planning a high-traffic site, consider using Drupal-optimized hosting with features like caching, CDN, and SSL. This ensures faster page load times and improved security.

Step 2: Installing Drupal

There are two main ways to install Drupal:

a) Using Composer (Recommended)

  1. Install Composer globally.

  2. Run the following command:

    composer create-project drupal/recommended-project my_site_name_dir
  3. Navigate to your project directory and set up your web server.

b) Manual Installation

  1. Download Drupal from Drupal.org.
  2. Extract the files into your web server’s root directory.
  3. Run the installation wizard by visiting your domain in the browser.
  4. Enter database credentials and complete the installation.

Both methods lead you to the Drupal setup wizard, where you’ll configure your site name, admin account, and basic settings.

Step 3: Configuring Your Drupal Site

Once installed, you’ll have access to the Drupal admin dashboard. From here, you can:

  • Add modules to extend functionality
  • Install themes for design customization
  • Set up user roles and permissions
  • Configure basic site settings such as timezone, language, and performance settings

As a Drupal development agency, we recommend creating different user roles early on (like Content Author, Editor, and Admin) to streamline content workflows and ensure better security.

Step 4: Creating Your First Page in Drupal

Now that Drupal is installed, let’s create your very first page.

Step-by-Step Guide to Add a Page:

  1. Log in to the Drupal admin dashboard.
  2. Navigate to Content → Add Content → Basic Page.
  3. Enter your page title (e.g., “Welcome to Our Website”).
  4. Add your page content using the built-in text editor.
  5. Set the URL alias (for SEO-friendly URLs, e.g., /about-us).
  6. Choose whether to publish the page immediately.
  7. Save, and your first page is live!

SEO Tip:

Use Drupal SEO modules like Pathauto (for automatic URL aliases), Metatag (for meta descriptions), and XML Sitemap to boost your site’s visibility in search engines.

Step 5: Enhancing Your Drupal Site with Modules

Your first page is only the beginning. Drupal becomes truly powerful when extended with modules. Here are some must-have Drupal modules for beginners:

  • Pathauto: Automatically creates SEO-friendly URLs.
  • Metatag: Helps with metadata for SEO.
  • CKEditor: Improves the text editing experience.
  • Views: Enables advanced content display.
  • Webform: Allows easy creation of contact forms and surveys.

As your Drupal site grows, you can integrate advanced features like e-commerce (Drupal Commerce), CRM integrations, and multilingual capabilities.

Step 6: Choosing the Right Theme

Your site’s design depends on the Drupal theme you choose. Drupal offers both free and premium themes. When selecting a theme, consider:

  • Mobile responsiveness
  • SEO-friendliness
  • Customization flexibility
  • Performance optimization

For clients, we often build custom Drupal themes that align with their brand identity and deliver a unique user experience.

Step 7: Maintaining Your Drupal Website

Installation and setup are just the start. To ensure long-term success, regular Drupal maintenance and support is crucial. This includes:

  • Updating Drupal core and contributed modules
  • Performing security audits
  • Optimizing performance with caching and CDN
  • Backing up your website regularly

Partnering with a Drupal support agency ensures your website remains secure, fast, and fully functional.

Conclusion

Getting started with Drupal may seem daunting at first, but once you understand the basics — from installation to creating your first page — you’ll see why it’s such a powerful and reliable CMS.

Drupal’s flexibility, scalability, and security make it the perfect choice for businesses, NGOs, and enterprises that want more than just a website — they want a digital platform that grows with them.

If you’re looking to build or optimize your Drupal website, our team of experienced Drupal developers is here to help. From initial setup to custom theme development and ongoing support, we provide end-to-end solutions tailored to your business needs.

👉 Ready to build your Drupal website? Contact our Drupal web agency today and let’s bring your vision to life.

Next: Explore Drupal Content Structure →