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Welcome to your Drupal 11 Web site

Welcome to your Drupal 11 Web site

Drupal Overview

Drupal is an open-source Content Management System (CMS) used by Franklin College websites to create, manage, and organize content. It also provides tools for controlling user permissions and building flexible page layouts.

Your Role

As a content administrator or web committee member, technical expertise is not required. Your primary responsibilities include creating, editing, organizing, and publishing content to ensure that our websites remain accurate, accessible, and user-friendly.

Key Drupal Concepts You Should Know

1. Creating Content with Content Types

Your Drupal website organizes content using content types, each with its own set of fields (such as title, body text, or images). Think of these as templates for different kinds of content. You simply enter information into the fields, and Drupal automatically formats and displays it, placing the content on the appropriate pages without requiring manual design.

Here are some examples of content types used in most of our sites:

  • Article — Allows you to post Departmental News

  • Basic Page — Allows you to post mostly static information that changes infrequently (i.e. NOT news, events, directory listings, etc)

  • Courses — Allows you to provide basic information about courses

  • Event — Allows you to post upcoming departmental events based on dates

  • FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions — Allows you to post frequently asked questions for the department. 

  • Homepage Image Header - Allows you to add landscape sized wide screen images in the masthead (header) area of your web site

  • Lab — Allows you to post information about Research Labs in your department.

  • Majors & Degrees — Allows you to post undergraduate and graduate degrees that your department offers

  • Personnel — Allows you to provide contact information, biography, CV, research, publications, etc for a Faculty & Staff directory

  • Photo (Media) Gallery — Allows you to post a photo gallery that can be added to a basic page or a news article

  • Project Showcase — Allows you to post project showcases that can be featured in specific areas of your website (i.e. Home Page)

  • Research Area — Allows you to list the different types of research being done in the department.

homepage.png

 

2. Nodes (Content Items)

A node is an individual piece of content.

  • Every page, article, or post you create is a node

  • Nodes follow the structure of their assigned content type

3. Fields

Fields are the building blocks of content.

  • Examples: text, images, links, dates, file uploads

  • Each content type contains predefined fields you fill out when creating content

4. WYSIWYG Editor

The “What You See Is What You Get” editor allows you to format content without coding. You will find this editor in many of the content types you create.

  • Format text (headings, lists, links)

  • Add media like images or files

  • Maintain accessibility and consistency

5. Media Management

Drupal uses a media library to manage assets.

  • Upload and reuse images, documents, and videos

  • Add alt text for accessibility

  • Avoid duplicate uploads by reusing existing media

6. Menus and Navigation

Menus control how users navigate the site.

  • Add or update menu links to make content easy to find

  • Ensure links are clear and properly placed within the site structure

7. URL Aliases

URL aliases create user-friendly web addresses.

  • Example: /about instead of /node/123

  • Helps with usability and search engine optimization (SEO)

8. Publishing & Unpublishing

  • Publishing: Makes content live and visible to website visitors. Use when content is complete and approved.

  • Unpublishing: Hides content from the public without deleting it. Use when content is outdated or not ready.

Key difference: Publishing shows content; unpublishing removes it from view while keeping it saved. When you are logged into your website you can view unpublished content.

9. Revisions

Drupal keeps a history of content changes.

  • You can view, compare, and revert to earlier versions

  • Helps prevent permanent mistakes

10. Blocks and Layout

Blocks are reusable pieces of content placed in different regions of a page. This is only available for content admins.

  • Examples: sidebar content, banners, project showcase

11. Permissions and Roles

Access to features is controlled by roles.

  • Examples: Unit Administrator, Web Committee Member, Personnel

  • Determines what content you can create, edit, or publish

12. Taxonomy (Categories & Tags)

Taxonomy is used to organize content.

  • Helps group related content (e.g., departments, topics)

  • Improves search and filtering

13. Accessibility Basics

Content must be accessible to all users.

  • Use proper headings (H2, H3)

  • Add alt text to images

  • Use descriptive link text (avoid “click here”)

Digital Accessibility Handbook

14. SEO and Content Best Practices

Effective content improves visibility and usability.

  • Use clear page titles and headings

  • Write concise, readable content

  • Ensure links and metadata are accurate

15. Content Maintenance

Keeping content current is essential.

  • Regularly review pages for accuracy

  • Update outdated information

  • Remove or archive unused content

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