Are you still using Drupal 7? With the end of life for Drupal 7 approaching, it’s high time to think about migrating to Drupal 8. Moving to the latest version will help keep your site secure and give you access to new features and better performance.
So in this guide, we will show you the basic steps to make the migration from Drupal 7 to Drupal 8 as easy as possible.
Why Migrate from Drupal 7 to 8, Why Not 9 or 10?
Honestly, you can migrate directly to Drupal 9 or 10 if you want, but here’s the thing: Why migrating from Drupal 7 to 8 first makes your life much easier in the long run.
Once you are on Drupal 8, upgrading to Drupal 9, 10, or even 11 becomes a simple process. There’s no need for a full migration again – it’s just an upgrade.
Like you upgrade the iOS software of your iPhones. Migrating from Drupal 7 to 8 approach also gives you the chance to take advantage of all the powerful features and improvements in Drupal 8, so you are already set up for the future. It’s a smart, efficient path forward.
What Does Migration Mean Exactly?
In simple terms, migration means moving all the important parts of your website—like content, configurations, and custom functionality—from Drupal 7 to Drupal 8.
It’s not just about copying and pasting; it’s about carefully transferring everything so it works seamlessly in the new system.
Think of it as packing up and moving to a new house: you are taking what’s essential, leaving behind what’s outdated, and setting things up in a way that fits the new space.
Now, this process can involve rewriting some features, replacing outdated modules, and restructuring content to fit Drupal 8’s updated framework.
It may sound like a hell of a lot of work but it’s worth the effort cause’ your new platform ensures that your site is secure, modern, and ready for future upgrades.
Pre-migration Checklist for Drupal 8
When it comes to Drupal 8, the baseline is different from Drupal 7. That means you will need to take a few extra steps to ensure your site is ready for the upgrade (Later on when you want to upgrade to 9 or 10).
So before diving into the actual Drupal migration process, it’s important to evaluate your current setup and prepare your environment. Let’s take a quick look at the key steps:
- Audit Your Current Site: Audit your Drupal site to identify what’s essential and what’s outdated. Check your modules, themes, and custom code – anything that won’t work in Drupal 8 will need to be replaced or rewritten.
- Update Your Drupal 7 Site: Make sure your Drupal 7 installation is up to date with the latest patches and security updates. This ensures a smoother migration process and reduces the risk of issues along the way.
- Backup Your Site: Always back up your website before starting any migration. This includes files, databases, and configurations. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
- Evaluate Modules and Themes: Drupal 8 comes with a lot of new features, and many of the modules and themes you use in Drupal 7 may not be compatible. So take the time to research which modules have Drupal 8 versions or alternatives, and plan accordingly.
- Check Hosting Requirements: Make sure your hosting environment meets the requirements for Drupal 8, such as PHP versions, database support, and server settings. Drupal 8 has different technical requirements compared to Drupal 7, so it’s important to ensure compatibility.
Don’t ignore these pre-migration steps or take them lightly—they are essential for ensuring a smooth and successful transition to Drupal 8.
Let cmsMinds guide you through a hassle-free migration.
Drupal 7 to 8 Migration (Step-by-Step Guide)
Now that your Drupal 7 site is all set and ready, it’s time for the actual migration process. Follow these implementation steps for a smooth transition:
1. Set Up a Fresh Drupal 8 Installation
First and foremost, install a clean version of Drupal 8 on your server. This will act as the destination for the migration. Ensure your hosting environment supports Drupal 8’s requirements.
2. Enable Core Migration Modules
On your Drupal 8 site, enable the Migrate, Migrate Drupal, and Migrate Drupal UI modules. These are essential for handling the migration of content, configuration, and other data from your Drupal 7 site.
3. Configure Migration Source
Next, connect your Drupal 8 site to your Drupal 7 database. You can do this by providing the connection details (database name, username, password, and host) in the migration configuration.
4. Run the Migration
You can use the Migrate Drupal UI for a user-friendly experience or Drush for better and more control.
In the Drupal 8 admin dashboard, navigate to Extend > Migrate and follow the prompts to begin the process.
If you are using Drush, then run the migration commands ( drush migrate-import or drush migrate-upgrade) to initiate and monitor progress.
5. Verify Data Migration
Once the migration is complete, you have to carefully review your Drupal 8 site to ensure all content, configurations, and user accounts have transferred correctly. Please pay special attention to complex elements like views, taxonomy, and blocks.
6. Rebuild Themes and Custom Modules
Since Drupal 8 uses the Twig templating engine and a more modern framework, your Drupal 7 themes and custom modules will need to be updated or rebuilt. You can easily adapt them to Drupal 8’s structure to maintain functionality and design consistency.
7. Resolve Any Migration Errors
Even though you followed the steps, your migration process might not always be perfect. So ensure to address any missing or broken elements by manually adjusting configurations, re-importing data, or troubleshooting migration errors using tools like Drush logs.
8. Test the New Site
Perform thorough testing on your Drupal 8 site to ensure everything is functioning as expected. Check links, workflows, user permissions, and responsiveness to confirm that your site is ready for launch.
9. Go Live
Once you make sure everything is tested and polished, you can make your Drupal 8 site live. Update your DNS settings, redirect old URLs if necessary, and monitor the live site for any unexpected issues.
10. Future-Proof & Maintain Your Site
Now that you are on Drupal 8, upgrading to newer versions like Drupal 9, 10, or even Drupal 11 will be much easier. Keep your site updated regularly to maintain security and take advantage of the latest features.
Challenges and Recommendations
Migrating from Drupal 7 to Drupal 8 is a huge step, and just like any major upgrade, it comes with its own set of challenges. However, understanding that you might face these hurdles in advance can help you navigate the process a little more efficiently. Here are some common challenges you might see during the migration process and tips for how to overcome them:
1. Module Compatibility
- Challenge: Many modules that worked in Drupal 7 might not be available in Drupal 8, or they may work differently. Some modules might not even exist for Drupal 8 yet.
- Recommendation: So before starting the migration, audit your current Drupal 7 site’s modules and check if Drupal 8 versions are available. For modules that don’t exist, look for alternative solutions or consider custom Drupal module development to rebuild the functionality.
2. Theme Overhaul
- Challenge: Drupal 8 uses Twig for templating, a significant shift from Drupal 7’s PHP template. This means themes from Drupal 7 won’t work out of the box in Drupal 8, requiring a decent amount of changes.
- Recommendation: Plan for a complete rebuild or upgrade of your Drupal theme. If you are not familiar with Twig, you can consider engaging a front-end developer experienced with Drupal 8 themes to ensure your site’s design is properly migrated.
3. Custom Code and Functionality
- Challenge: Custom modules or code written for Drupal 7 may not necessarily be compatible with Drupal 8, as Drupal 8 is built on a more object-oriented architecture.
- Recommendation: Make sure to review all custom code and identify areas that need rewriting to work with Drupal 8’s new API. This might involve updating hooks, and services, or replacing deprecated code with new methods. A thorough audit of custom code before migration will save you a lot of time and frustration.
4. Content Migration Issues
- Challenge: Migrating complex content structures like multi-step forms, embedded media, or custom content types can be tricky, as their configurations may need to be adjusted for Drupal 8.
- Recommendation: Try to use the Migrate module with care. If your site has complex content, break the migration process into smaller chunks. Test each chunk individually before moving on to the next. Also, consider using the Migrate Upgrade module to transfer content from one system to another smoothly.
5. Performance and Scalability
- Challenge: With all the new and fancy features in Drupal 8, your site’s performance could be impacted during and after the migration, especially if your site is large or has heavy traffic.
- Recommendation: After migration, put your complete focus on performance optimization. Clear caches frequently, optimize your database and make sure your server configuration is optimal. Enable caching and make use of Drupal 8’s built-in performance tools, like BigPipe for faster rendering of pages.
6. SEO and URL Structure
- Challenge: There’s a chance that URL structure and SEO elements might change during migration, which could affect your site’s search engine rankings.
- Recommendation: Ensure to implement proper redirects (301 redirects) so that all old URLs point to the correct content on the new Drupal 8 site. Review your SEO settings, metadata, and sitemap, and test all URLs to make sure they are correctly mapped.
7. User Training
- Challenge: Drupal 8 introduces a new admin interface and changes in how things are configured, so users who are accustomed to Drupal 7 might struggle with the new system.
- Recommendation: Get good training for your team on how to use Drupal 8’s new features and interface. Offering hands-on workshops or tutorials will help smooth the transition for anyone responsible for content management or site maintenance.
8. Time and Budget
- Challenge: The migration process can be a little time-consuming, especially if your site is large, custom, or has a lot of content.
- Recommendation: You can plan for a realistic timeline and budget. Consider the time it will take to rebuild themes, update custom code, and test thoroughly. Allow for some buffer time in case unexpected issues arise. If you need help, consider hiring an expert Drupal developer or migration service.
Conclusion
After reading this post, migrating from Drupal 7 to 8 might seem like a lot of work but it’s a necessary one given that Drupal 7’s EOL (End of Life) is in January 2025. As we said earlier, by following the right steps and preparing in advance, you can effortlessly migrate to Drupal 8 and make sure that your website is ready for any and all future upgrades.
Other than the aforementioned challenges, if you run into anything else, then make sure to consult a Drupal migration expert team or a Drupal development company. With the power and flexibility of Drupal 8, you will be in a better position to grow your site and make the most of all the new features it offers.
At cmsMinds, we specialize in seamless Drupal upgrades.
