What will you learn
- Create and configure content types and fields
- Build custom lists with Views
- Design site navigation with menus
- Set up access control with roles and permissions
- Manage and sync your site's configuration
- Set up content moderation and workflows
- Tune your site's performance
- Learn to use command line tools like Composer, Git, and Drush
Overview
Site building is the Drupal role that everyone should know, as it's the core Drupal competency for site creation. Site building involves getting Drupal up and running, and configuring the options to build a functional site. This covers tasks such as creating content types, lists with Views, menus, and setting up roles and permissions.
One of the most rewarding aspects of being a site builder is that you can build a very powerful site without writing a single line of code. By understanding the many contributed Drupal modules and how they work together, you can build a complete site, or take a key role as part of a larger team that customizes on top of the foundation laid by the site builder.
Site builders will need to know how to install Drupal, configure core, and add new features with contributed modules. Over time, you'll learn to assess new modules you're reviewing to be able to find and choose the best one for your needs.
The most important prerequisite for Drupal site building is a general understanding of how the web works and how to follow steps to install a dynamic web application. Although being familiar with code is not a prerequisite, knowing HTML and CSS can be very helpful, even if you don’t apply the knowledge regularly. Knowing how to set up a Drupal site manually or using an application or service is also an important prerequisite skill for a site builder not only to learn Drupal but to test out configuration changes before deploying or configuring them on a live website.
Check out the What is a Drupal Site Builder? podcast for more insight into this role.
Drupal site builder learning resources
Learn to build a site with Drupal
Written by the Drupal community, with videos added by Drupalize.Me, the Drupal User Guide is the best way to get started with Drupal concepts and site building skills.
Drupal User Guide
GuideExpand your site building skills
Learn Views UI module
After you have learned the basics of Views from Chapter 9 of the Drupal User Guide, learn about the advanced filtering features of Views, customizing the output, and giving users control over filter criteria.
Views in Drupal
GuideLearn Layout Builder module
Drupal's Layout Builder is a flexible, drag-and-drop tool used for designing and customizing page layouts without writing code, enabling site builders to create complex and responsive layouts through the UI.
Layout Builder
GuideLearn Media and Responsive Image modules
Drupal's Media module is used for managing and reusing multimedia assets such as images, videos, and documents across a site, providing a centralized and flexible system for handling media content.
Drupal's Responsive Image module provide a mechanism for delivering responsive image styles: appropriately sized images based on device screen size, optimizing performance and user experience by reducing unnecessary data loading.
You'll learn to use both these systems in this guide to Media and Responsive Images.
Next steps in site building
Closely related to site building is site administration, where you learn methods for clearing the cache, how to use and configure modules for search, content moderation, and tune site performance. You'll also learn to use Drupal's configuration management system to manage configuration and deploy new features and changes from your local development site to the live site.
Learn how to install Drupal and keep the core software up-to-date with the latest releases.
Keep Drupal Up-To-Date
GuideRelated topics
These related topics contain both Drupalize.Me and external resources to help you along.
Development environments provide a sandbox where you can work on your application without affecting the live site.
Back up Your Drupal Site
TopicA reliable backup will allow you to restore your site if something goes wrong.
Learn command line tools
Learn to navigate and run basic commands in a terminal, and use essential command line tools such Composer, Drush, and Git to install and update Drupal core as well as contributed modules, perform essential site administration tasks.
Learning tips
While development skills are typically not involved in site building, you’ll need to have broad knowledge about using Drupal contributed projects, and the best practices for building a Drupal site. As you become familiar with all the options Drupal has to offer, here are some things to keep in mind:
- There are many modules that expand on what Drupal core can do. This is the real power of working with Drupal. Take your time learning best practices to quickly find the right modules. See Extend Drupal with Modules for more curated resources on this topic.
- When learning to build a site, set up a test environment to purposely make mistakes. If you find yourself with a blank white screen, just start over.
- There's a wonderful service called simplytest.me that allows you to quickly and easily create a Drupal site with a module installed, so you can try it without building your own test site first.
- Take advantage of services that allow you to create and destroy your own Drupal installation for free. Many shared hosting providers also provide a "1-click Drupal install".
- There are many resources where you can find help and share solutions. Become familiar with resources like the Drupal.org forums and Drupal Answers on Stack Exchange. Check out Getting Help with Drupal and the Drupal User Guide Chapter. 14 Final Thoughts, to learn more about the resources that offer support.
- If you are interested in taking the Acquia Certified Site Builder Exam, you will also definitely want to work your way through our exam guide.
Broaden your skills
There are many ways to grow your skills and knowledge outside of tutorials. Here are some of our favorite resources for exploring Drupal site building.
Podcasts
Podcasts are a great way to hear from others in the Drupal community about current events and hot topics. Here are a few of our favorite podcasts produced by members of the Drupal community that you might find interesting as a site builder.
Community Events
DrupalCon sessions and other local/regional events are a great way to get up to speed on the latest in Drupal development. All DrupalCon sessions are recorded and are available for free on the Drupal Association’s YouTube channel. Many Drupal "Camps" (local or regional Drupal community events) also record sessions. For DrupalCon and many other Drupal events, the recorded sessions are embedded on the session description pages on the event's website.
- DrupalCon — Find links to past and future DrupalCons and session recordings.
- Drupical — Filter and find Drupal camps, sprints, user groups, and training events.
- Upcoming Drupal community events — Filter and find Drupal-related events.
Meet some site builders
Get to know more about what it means to be a Drupal site builder through these interviews:
