Community Demands Enhanced Out-of-the-Box Features in DrupalCMS

The Drupal community, under the Starshot Initiative, recently concluded a survey to identify desired out-of-the-box features and contributed modules for the proposed 'Drupal CMS.' The survey, part of the Drupal Starshot strategy, focused on ambitious marketers and gathered 60 submissions and over 100 feature suggestions, which will influence future development tracks. Survey results were announced on Drupal.org by Pamela Barone on Wednesday, 21 August 2024. 

The feedback revealed a strong interest in enhancing page-building tools, SEO capabilities, improved form builders and content management functionalities. Security, media management, and multilingual support also emerged as significant needs. Many of these suggestions align with existing initiatives, but the survey also introduced fresh ideas that the Drupal leadership team is considering for future development. 

The survey also highlighted key modules that could enhance Drupal’s out-of-the-box experience, such as Metatag, Webform, and Admin Toolbar. These modules, among others, are under consideration for inclusion in future releases. The leadership team is assessing these suggestions to ensure they align with planned functionalities and contribute to the overall user experience.

Key Findings:

• High-Demand Features: The survey identified several frequently requested features, including better page-building tools with intuitive layout builders, enhanced SEO capabilities (e.g., meta tags), and an improved form builder. These align with ongoing initiatives like the Experience Builder, SEO, and Contact Form tracks.
• Content Management Enhancements: Respondents highlighted the need for advanced content management workflows, such as bulk actions, content scheduling, WYSIWYG editors, and content access control. Other suggestions included security enhancements like two-factor authentication and configurable password policies.
• Media and Multilingual Needs: Media management improvements, including image resizing, SVG support, and AI-generated alt tags, were prominent. Multilingual features, like asymmetric translations and better translation UI, were also suggested.
• Marketing and General Tools: The community expressed interest in marketing tools such as A/B testing, QR code generation, and easy social media integration. Additionally, features like an accessibility checker, AI-enabled content writing, and admin menu search were proposed.
• Developer-Focused Suggestions: Developer-centric features included integrated deployments, advanced aggregation, better exposure of metrics, and modernization of core themes.

While the survey results are not treated as a direct vote, they serve as a valuable validation tool, ensuring that the Drupal development tracks align with community needs. The feedback will likely lead to the introduction of new work tracks and the refinement of existing ones to serve Drupal’s diverse user base better.