Drupal 7 End of Life: What It Means for Your Website

Drupal 7’s end of life (EOL) came on January 5th, 2025, marking the end of official updates, security patches, and community support. As a business that has worked with Drupal since its inception and has been delivering web design, development, and marketing solutions for over 27 years, ImageWorks Creative understands the critical importance of staying ahead of these changes.

If your website is still running on Drupal 7, it’s time to start planning your migration to Drupal 10 or another CMS before security vulnerabilities and outdated technology put your business at risk.

Why Is Drupal 7 Being Retired?

Drupal 7 was built on a custom PHP-based architecture that no longer aligns with modern web development best practices. The shift to newer versions introduced major framework and structural changes, making a simple upgrade impossible. Once Drupal 7 reaches EOL, websites that remain on it will be vulnerable to security risks, compliance issues, and higher maintenance costs.

Why a Full Site Rebuild Is Necessary

Unlike past updates, moving from Drupal 7 to Drupal 10 isn’t a simple version upgrade—it requires a full rebuild due to fundamental changes in the platform, including:

  • New Symfony Framework – Drupal 8 and beyond replaced Drupal 7’s custom PHP framework with Symfony, making old themes, modules, and custom code incompatible.
  • Twig Templating Engine – The transition from PHPTemplate to Twig changes how front-end themes and layouts are structured, requiring redesign work.
  • Content Migration Overhaul – The way Drupal stores and manages content has evolved significantly, requiring a carefully planned data migration to preserve site functionality.
  • Modernized APIs & Deprecations – Many Drupal 7 modules and custom integrations no longer work and must be replaced or redeveloped.

Your Migration Options

If you’re still on Drupal 7, you have three primary options:

  1. Migrate to Drupal 10 – The best long-term solution, ensuring security, scalability, and future-proof technology.
  2. Rebuild on Another CMS – If Drupal is no longer the right fit for your needs, transitioning to a platform like WordPress might be a better alternative.
  3. Stay on Drupal 7 (Not Recommended) – While some vendors offer extended security support, this is a short-term fix that will increase costs and risks over time.

Expert Drupal 7 Migrations from ImageWorks Creative

As Drupal experts with decades of experience, ImageWorks Creative has successfully migrated and rebuilt hundreds of Drupal websites for businesses of all sizes. We provide a seamless transition plan, ensuring your website remains secure, modern, and optimized for performance.

If you're ready to future-proof your website, our team is here to help. Contact us today to start your Drupal 7 migration now.