Across Maryland, government agencies are increasingly standardizing on Drupal as their website platform of choice. While this shift may appear to be a technical decision on the surface, it reflects a broader commitment to accessibility, security, scalability, and long-term sustainability.
Drupal has proven itself well-suited for public sector use. But as many agencies are learning, selecting the platform is only the first step. The real work and opportunity begin with how Drupal is planned, implemented, and supported over time.
Why Drupal Aligns So Well with Government Needs
Government organizations face a unique set of digital challenges. Websites must be accessible to all users, secure enough to protect sensitive information, and flexible enough to evolve as programs and policies change. Drupal addresses these needs in ways that few platforms can.
Its open-source foundation allows agencies to avoid vendor lock-in while maintaining strong governance and security controls. Built-in accessibility features help agencies meet compliance requirements, and its modular architecture supports integration with enterprise systems and third-party tools. Drupal also scales well, making it easier to support multiple departments or agencies on a shared platform.
For many organizations, Drupal is not just a content management system. It is a foundation for delivering reliable, citizen-focused digital services.
Common Drupal Misconceptions Debunked
Despite its increasing adoption across federal, state, and local agencies, Drupal is sometimes overlooked due to lingering misconceptions. Let's break it down:
Drupal is outdated: Drupal is actively maintained and evolving fast. It’s built on modern frameworks and regularly releases security and feature updates. Many governments and large enterprises are moving to Drupal, not away from it—because it keeps pace with security, accessibility, and performance requirements.
Drupal sites do not look modern: Drupal is design-agnostic. It can look like anything. The frontend is completely customizable and pairs beautifully with modern JS frameworks, design systems, and headless or decoupled architectures. If a Drupal site looks dated, that’s a design decision, not a platform limitation.
Drupal is overly complex: Drupal scales down just as well as it scales up. You don’t have to use every feature. A well-configured Drupal site implemented with intention can be lean, focused, and easy to maintain. It is suitable for any size organization.
Drupal resolves all accessibility issues: While the platform is designed for accessibility, compliance still depends on how templates, content, and integrations are maintained.
Upgrades are a nightmare: Concerns about difficult upgrades linger from the Drupal 7 era but is not the case anymore. Drupal was intentionally redesigned to make upgrades predictable and manageable, especially from version to version. Complexity arises based on architectural decisions, custom development choices, and governance practices. Delaying regular hosting, performance, and security updates play a critical role in adding or reducing upgrade complexity.
Drupal is too expensive: Drupal is open-source and flexible. Costs depend on your hosting choices, customization, and governance needs. Plenty of organizations run successful Drupal sites without massive budgets—especially when automation and smart configuration are involved.
WordPress is easier: WordPress may be faster to spin up, but Drupal often wins when you need structured content, complex permissions, multiple user roles, or governance and compliance. Drupal reduces long-term pain when content models and workflows get sophisticated.
What Sets Successful Drupal Projects Apart
Agencies that succeed with Drupal tend to approach it as a long-term platform rather than a one-time project. They plan for modernization and upgrades as part of an ongoing lifecycle, not a future problem to be dealt with later.
They also address accessibility, security, and integration needs early in the process, when changes are easier and less costly to make. Just as importantly, successful projects align stakeholders across IT, communications, and leadership, so expectations and responsibilities are clear from the start.
When Drupal is treated as a living system that evolves with the organization, it delivers far greater value.
Why Experience and Partnership Matter
Drupal’s flexibility is one of its greatest strengths, but it can also introduce complexity in large government environments. Integrations, governance models, and cross-department coordination all influence how well the platform performs over time.
Experienced Drupal partners understand these dynamics. They know how to reduce risk during migrations and upgrades, integrate Drupal with existing systems, and establish support models that keep platforms stable and secure. They also recognize that successful implementations depend as much on process and communication as they do on technology.
The right partnership helps agencies move forward with confidence and avoid common pitfalls.
Looking Beyond Platform Selection
Maryland agencies are making the move to Drupal for good reasons. But the true benefits come when the focus shifts from choosing a platform to planning for long-term success.
With the right strategy, governance, and support, Drupal becomes more than a CMS. It becomes a sustainable digital platform that helps government organizations deliver secure, accessible, and reliable services to the people they serve.
Ready to Make Drupal Work for Your Agency?
The Canton Group has helped government organizations across Maryland plan, implement, and modernize Drupal websites that support long-term success. From early strategy and migration planning to ongoing support, we bring the experience needed to deliver results that last.
Let’s talk about how we can help your agency get the most out of Drupal.
Contact The Canton Group today to start the conversation.
