(Drupal Development · London)
Drupal, for organisations
that have outgrown
everything else.
WebAnts is a London Drupal development agency. We build and maintain Drupal 10 and Drupal 11 sites for enterprises, government bodies, universities, and large publishers — custom modules, Drupal Commerce, multi-site, headless architecture, site audits, and strict accessibility standards.
Drupal 10 & 11
Current versions we build on
1.4M+
Active Drupal community members
WCAG 2.2
AA accessibility, built in
D7 EOL
Jan 2025 — upgrade urgently
(Urgent)
Drupal 7 is end of life. Your site is no longer receiving security patches.
- →Drupal 7: End of Life — 5 January 2025. No further security patches from the Drupal Security Team.
- →Drupal 8: End of Life — November 2021. Already unsupported for nearly 4 years.
- →Running EOL Drupal exposes your organisation to unpatched CVEs — with no fix coming.
- →Cyber Essentials, ISO 27001, DSPT and public sector IT frameworks require supported software.
(Why Drupal)
Three reasons enterprise organisations
choose Drupal over everything else.
1.4M+
Active community members worldwide
The CMS that scales without limits
Drupal powers GOV.UK, NASA, the BBC, the NHS, and some of the largest digital platforms on earth. It handles millions of nodes, complex taxonomies, granular permissions, and multi-language content at a scale no other open-source CMS matches.
SA-CORE
Dedicated security advisory team
Security rigorous enough for government
Drupal has a dedicated security team, a structured advisory process, and a 15-year track record of responsible disclosure. UK government departments — including GOV.UK and NHS Digital — run Drupal specifically because its security posture meets standards that WordPress cannot match at the policy level.
JSON:API
Built-in headless & DXP capability
Headless-ready and DXP-capable out of the box
Drupal ships with JSON:API and GraphQL built in, making it a full Digital Experience Platform (DXP). Use Drupal as a structured content backend for any frontend — Next.js, React, Vue, or a native app — without sacrificing the editorial experience your content teams depend on.
(Who we build for)
Drupal is not for everyone —
it is for the right organisations.
If you run a small business website or a marketing blog, a WordPress site is probably the right answer. If you run a government department, university, large publisher, or enterprise platform with complex content requirements — Drupal is what you need.
Government & Public Sector
WCAG 2.2, GDS-aligned, strict security, procurement-ready. GOV.UK and NHS both run Drupal.
Higher Education
Multi-site for faculties, student portals, multilingual, SSO. The UX used by campus teams.
Enterprise & Corporate
CRM integration, custom workflows, role-based access at scale. Salesforce, Dynamics, SAP.
Media & Publishing
Complex content models, editorial pipelines, content scheduling, multi-channel distribution.
Healthcare & Regulated
GDPR-compliant, DSPT-ready, audit trails, granular access controls and WCAG AA.
Charities & NGOs
Multi-lingual, accessible, open-source to reduce licensing cost. Fundraising integrations.
(What we build)
Eleven Drupal services,
all delivered in-house.
From a Drupal 11 greenfield build to a Drupal 7 rescue, a Drupal Commerce store, or a site audit before your next upgrade — we do all of it without subcontracting or offshoring.
01
Custom Drupal 10 & 11 Development
Bespoke Drupal 10 and Drupal 11 sites with custom content types, fields, views, display modes, Single Directory Components (SDC), and Twig templates. Architecture designed for editorial teams who publish at scale.
02
Drupal 7 & 8 End-of-Life Upgrades
Drupal 7 reached end of life in January 2025. Drupal 8 in November 2021. We handle the full upgrade path: module compatibility assessment, custom module rewrites, content migration, and a UAT period before go-live.
03
Headless Drupal + Next.js
Drupal's JSON:API or GraphQL as a structured backend, Next.js App Router as the decoupled frontend. Preview API, on-demand ISR, TypeScript throughout — maximum performance without losing Drupal's editorial power.
04
Drupal Commerce & Ecommerce
Drupal Commerce builds for B2B and B2C — product catalogues, complex pricing rules, subscription billing, multi-currency, and checkout flows fully integrated with Drupal's content model. No platform switching required.
05
Custom Module Development
Bespoke PHP modules following Drupal coding standards — custom entity types, field formatters, REST endpoints, event subscribers, queue workers, and third-party API integrations. Drupal 10 and 11 compatible.
06
Drupal Site Audit & Technical Roadmap
A structured audit of your existing Drupal site: security posture, module health, performance bottlenecks, accessibility gaps, and technical debt. Delivered as a written report with a prioritised remediation roadmap.
07
Multi-site & Multi-lingual
Single Drupal instance managing multiple sites or languages. Domain access module, per-site themes, language negotiation, content translation workflow, and a centralised admin interface for 5 to 50+ sites.
08
Enterprise Integrations
CRM (Salesforce, Dynamics 365), SSO (CAS, SAML, LDAP, Azure AD), marketing automation (Marketo, HubSpot), ERP and middleware integrations — delivered as stable, tested Drupal modules.
09
WCAG 2.2 Accessibility & Compliance
Full WCAG 2.2 AA audit and remediation for public sector, higher education, and regulated organisations. Axe, WAVE, and manual screen reader testing (NVDA, VoiceOver, JAWS) included.
10
Drupal Performance Optimisation
Drupal-specific performance work: BigPipe, Internal Page Cache, Dynamic Page Cache, Varnish configuration, Redis caching, lazy loading, CDN setup (Cloudflare / Fastly), and Core Web Vitals remediation.
11
Drupal Maintenance & Support
Monthly security updates, module updates, performance monitoring, content support, and ongoing development on a retainer. Acquia or Pantheon managed hosting configuration, Drush and Composer automation included.
(Drupal 11)
Drupal 11 is here.
Build on it from day one.
Released October 2024, Drupal 11 is the current recommended version for all new projects. All WebAnts Drupal builds now start on Drupal 11 by default — unless your contributed module ecosystem requires Drupal 10.
- Recipes — New way to package and apply site configuration — like distributions but composable
- Single Directory Components (SDC) — Component-based front-end architecture built into Drupal core
- PHP 8.3+ required — Faster, more secure, modern PHP — no legacy versions
- Cleaner codebase — All deprecated Drupal 9 and 10 APIs removed — leaner, faster core
- Starshot / CMS initiative — Easier out-of-the-box experience for editors and site builders
Drupal version support timeline
Drupal 11
Current — recommended for all new builds
Drupal 10
Supported until January 2026
Drupal 9
End of life November 2023
Drupal 8
End of life November 2021
Drupal 7
End of life 5 January 2025 — upgrade now
(Drupal vs the alternatives)
An honest comparison —
because the right CMS matters.
We build Drupal, WordPress, Webflow, and headless CMS projects. Here is a straight comparison so you can choose the right tool — not the one we happen to sell hardest.
| Topic | Drupal | The alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Security process | Dedicated SA-CORE security team, structured CVE disclosure, used by GOV.UK and NHS | Plugin ecosystem introduces frequent vulnerabilities; no centralised security advisory team |
| Content modelling | Any content type, field, entity and relationship — no schema ceiling, ideal for complex taxonomies | Custom post types and ACF cover most needs; complex entity relationships become awkward |
| Multi-lingual | Core, no plugin required — language negotiation, content translation, RTL support built in | Requires WPML or Polylang; translation workflows are less mature |
| User permissions | Granular role/permission system with per-entity and per-field access control | Basic roles out of the box; complex permission schemes require additional plugins |
| Scale | Millions of nodes, hundreds of content types, enterprise traffic — no practical ceiling | Fine for most sites; very large content sets require significant performance engineering |
| Ecommerce | Drupal Commerce — tightly integrated, complex B2B pricing, subscriptions, multi-currency | WooCommerce is mature and well-supported for most ecommerce use cases |
| vs Contentful | Self-hosted, no per-seat SaaS fees, full editorial UI, better for complex content models | Contentful is strong for developer-led headless, simpler content models, faster to start |
| vs Sitecore | Open-source, no licence cost, comparable enterprise features, larger community | Sitecore suits organisations already in Microsoft stack wanting DXP + CDP in one platform |
| Best for | Government, universities, enterprise, regulated industries, large publishers, DXP needs | SMEs, agencies, ecommerce, blogs, marketing sites, faster delivery at lower budget |
Also building a simpler site? See our WordPress and web design services →
From idea to live site in four steps.
Milestone payments — you see progress weekly and own every deliverable the moment it's completed.
Discovery Call & Flat Quote
Every project starts with a free 30-minute call — no pitch deck, no jargon. We ask the right questions about your goals, your audience and your budget, then deliver a written flat-fee proposal within 24 hours. You know the full cost before we touch a single wireframe.
- Free 30-minute strategy call
- Digital brief and business goal analysis
- Written flat-fee quote within 24 hours
- No hourly rates, no scope creep surprises
- Platform and technology recommendation included
(Related services)
(Start a project)
Free 30-min call.
Flat written quote.
No prepayment.
Describe your Drupal requirements — whether it’s a new Drupal 11 build, a Drupal 7 upgrade, Drupal Commerce, a site audit, or a maintenance retainer. We’ll assess complexity, advise on approach, and send a flat written quote within 24 hours.
★★★★★ 4.9 on Google
★★★★★ 5.0 on Clutch
★★★★★ 5.0 on Upwork
Top Web Designers 2025 — DesignRush
(FAQ)
Drupal questions,
answered directly.
What is Drupal 11 and should we upgrade from Drupal 10?
Drupal 11 was released in October 2024. It drops support for older PHP versions (requires PHP 8.3+), removes several deprecated APIs that cluttered Drupal 10, and introduces Recipes — a new way to package and apply site configuration — plus full adoption of Single Directory Components (SDC) for front-end theming. If you are starting a new Drupal project, build on Drupal 11. If you are on Drupal 10 and all your contributed modules have Drupal 11-compatible releases, upgrading is straightforward and recommended. Drupal 10 is still actively supported and will reach end of life in January 2026, so there is no urgency — but planning for 11 now avoids a more disruptive upgrade later.
Is Drupal 7 really end of life and what does that mean?
Yes. Drupal 7 reached official End of Life on 5 January 2025. From that date, the Drupal Security Team no longer issues security advisories or patches for Drupal 7 core. If a vulnerability is discovered — and they continue to be — your site will not receive a fix. For organisations subject to Cyber Essentials, ISO 27001, DSPT, or public sector IT security frameworks, running EOL software is a compliance failure. Upgrading to Drupal 10 or 11 is the correct and only supported path.
How much does a Drupal 7 to Drupal 10 or 11 upgrade cost?
Drupal 7 to Drupal 10/11 upgrades typically cost £15,000–£40,000 depending on the number of custom modules, content migration complexity, and third-party integrations. Sites with 1–3 simple custom modules and straightforward content models sit at the lower end. Sites with complex taxonomies, many custom entity types, SSO integrations, or bespoke workflow logic sit at the upper end. We provide a flat written quote after a free scoping call — no hourly estimates.
How much does a new Drupal 10 or 11 website cost in London?
A custom Drupal 10 or 11 site with standard content types, a custom theme, and basic integrations typically costs £15,000–£30,000. A complex multi-site or multilingual build with custom modules, enterprise CRM integration, and WCAG compliance typically costs £35,000–£80,000+. Flat written quote after a free discovery call — no hourly estimates, no retainer to sign before we start.
Can Drupal be used for ecommerce?
Yes — via Drupal Commerce, a module that is tightly integrated with Drupal's content model rather than bolted on top of it. Drupal Commerce is particularly strong for B2B ecommerce with complex pricing rules, tiered discounts, multi-currency, subscription billing, and order workflows that connect to ERP or CRM systems. For straightforward B2C retail, Shopify or WooCommerce are often more cost-effective and faster to launch. We advise honestly on which approach fits your product catalogue, team, and budget.
What is headless Drupal and should we use it?
Headless Drupal uses Drupal as a structured content management backend — accessed via its built-in JSON:API or the optional GraphQL module — while a separate frontend (Next.js, React, Vue) handles the user interface. You keep Drupal's powerful content model and editorial tools while gaining a modern, high-performance frontend. We recommend it for organisations with strict performance requirements, multiple frontend channels (web, app, digital signage), or teams with strong JavaScript skills. For most organisations, a traditional Drupal Twig theme is simpler, cheaper, and equally capable.
Drupal vs WordPress — which should we choose?
Choose Drupal if you need: complex content models with many custom entity types, granular user permission systems, robust multi-lingual support without plugins, or a security posture that meets government and enterprise standards. Choose WordPress if you need: a lower total cost, a faster time to launch, a larger pool of available developers, or a simpler editorial experience for non-technical content teams. Most government bodies, universities, healthcare organisations, and large publishers choose Drupal. Most SMEs, agencies, and marketing-led businesses choose WordPress. We build both and will tell you honestly which fits your situation.
Drupal vs Contentful — which is better for headless?
Contentful is a cloud-based headless CMS with a polished developer experience and a quick time to first content. Drupal is self-hosted with a more powerful content model, a built-in editorial UI, and no per-seat SaaS licensing fees. For organisations with complex content relationships, multiple content types, or enterprise traffic volumes, Drupal's flexibility and cost profile usually win. For smaller teams wanting a fast headless setup without infrastructure management, Contentful is worth considering. Drupal also ships JSON:API out of the box, so there's no 'headless tax' — you get the full CMS and the API in the same package.
What Drupal hosting do you recommend?
Acquia Cloud is the leading managed Drupal hosting platform — built by the company founded by Drupal's creator, with excellent performance, built-in security scanning, Cloud IDE, and CI/CD pipelines. Pantheon also supports Drupal well and offers competitive multidev environments. For self-managed infrastructure, AWS or Azure with Redis caching, Varnish or Nginx reverse proxy, and a CDN (Cloudflare or Fastly) is a solid enterprise configuration. We configure, advise, and manage hosting as part of our delivery.
Can you build a multi-site Drupal installation?
Yes. Drupal's multi-site capability allows a single codebase and database structure to power multiple domains or sub-sites, each with its own theme, content, and configuration. We use the Domain Access module for most multi-site setups, with per-domain content visibility, menus, and user roles. Typical use cases are university faculty sites, local authority microsites, and enterprise regional sites. We scope and build multi-site architectures for organisations managing 5 to 50+ sites from a single Drupal instance.
What does a Drupal site audit include?
Our Drupal site audit covers: security posture (EOL modules, missing patches, file permissions), performance (caching configuration, slow queries, Core Web Vitals), accessibility (WCAG 2.2 AA gaps identified by Axe and manual screen reader testing), code quality (custom module review, Drupal coding standards compliance), content model review (entity structure, taxonomy, redundant fields), and hosting configuration. We deliver a written report with a prioritised remediation roadmap and honest effort estimates. Audits typically take 5–10 business days depending on site complexity.
How long does a Drupal project take?
A standard Drupal 10 or 11 site with custom content types and theme typically takes 8–14 weeks. A multi-site or multilingual build with custom modules typically takes 14–24 weeks. A Drupal 7 to 10/11 upgrade project typically takes 6–16 weeks depending on module complexity. A Drupal Commerce build typically takes 10–20 weeks. We agree a firm timeline in the proposal and deliver weekly staging updates throughout.
How do I choose the right Drupal agency in London?
Look for: real Drupal project experience with named clients or case studies, not just logos; developers who contribute to or follow the Drupal community (module releases, Drupal.org profiles); honest answers about whether Drupal is actually the right choice for your budget and complexity; flat-fee proposals rather than open-ended hourly estimates; and references from organisations similar in size and sector to yours. Be wary of agencies that recommend Drupal for every project — it is a powerful but complex system that only makes sense when the use case genuinely requires it.
Client stories
4.9★ across Google, Clutch & Upwork. 100+ projects. 14 countries.
“WebAnts built something better than I'd ever imagined — shipped faster than any agency I've worked with.”
LaTisha Ebanks North Pointe Marketing
Dr. Nadish Ravindran
Founder · Elite Scholars
“The team were methodical, fast and honest. Exactly what we needed. No surprises, just results.”
Guillaume Etlin Bro Bread
“We ranked #1 in three London postcodes within 90 days of launching with WebAnts. The ROI has been remarkable.”
Ahmed Hassan Papa Doner
Rachel Piccoli
Founder & CEO · Humming Bliss Acres
“WebAnts delivered our marketing site faster than any agency we'd worked with before. Clean build, great communication throughout.”
Patrick Bishop ReRoute Americas
“Incredible attention to detail. The site launched under budget and our leads doubled in the first month.”
Tom Walker Access Super
“WebAnts built something better than I'd ever imagined — shipped faster than any agency I've worked with.”
LaTisha Ebanks North Pointe Marketing
Dr. Nadish Ravindran
Founder · Elite Scholars
“Incredible attention to detail. The site launched under budget and our leads doubled in the first month.”
Tom Walker Access Super
“The team were methodical, fast and honest. Exactly what we needed. No surprises, just results.”
Guillaume Etlin Bro Bread
“We ranked #1 in three London postcodes within 90 days of launching with WebAnts. The ROI has been remarkable.”
Ahmed Hassan Papa Doner
“WebAnts delivered our marketing site faster than any agency we'd worked with before. Clean build, great communication throughout.”
Patrick Bishop ReRoute Americas
Rachel Piccoli
Founder & CEO · Humming Bliss Acres
Verified ratings
Enterprise Drupal, done properly. →
Free discovery call. Flat quote. No prepayment. Drupal 7 upgrades scoped in 48 hours.
WebAnts is a London Drupal development agency specialising in custom Drupal 10 and Drupal 11 websites, Drupal 7 and Drupal 8 end-of-life upgrades to Drupal 10 and Drupal 11, headless Drupal with Next.js, Drupal Commerce for B2B and B2C ecommerce, custom PHP module development, Drupal site audits and technical roadmaps, multi-site and multi-lingual Drupal builds, enterprise CRM and SSO integrations including Salesforce, Dynamics 365, CAS, SAML, LDAP and Azure AD, WCAG 2.2 AA accessibility compliance, Drupal performance optimisation with Varnish, Redis and CDN, and Drupal maintenance retainers. Drupal 11 features include Single Directory Components, Recipes and the Starshot CMS initiative. We serve UK government departments, public sector organisations, NHS and GDS-aligned teams, universities and higher education institutions, healthcare providers, large media publishers, charities and enterprise clients. Based in London, serving clients across the UK and worldwide. 4.9 stars rated on Google and Clutch. Top Web Designers 2025, DesignRush. We also build WordPress websites, Webflow sites, and headless CMS projects.