Drupal 10 Upgrade and Performance Enhancements
American Councils is a leader in international education, focusing on innovative learning and cultural exchanges for students and educators. Its goal is to prepare individuals for global careers through meaningful cross-cultural interactions. However, to match its robust mission, it needed a stronger online presence—one that was secure, modern, and user-friendly.
To meet this need, American Councils collaborated with Inclind. The project combined a critical Drupal 10 upgrade with performance, SEO, and usability improvements. By upgrading to Drupal 10, we ensured long-term stability and compliance with modern web standards, while simultaneously addressing technical challenges to improve the site’s health and user experience.
The Challenge:
Performance Limitations
Although the site wasn’t experiencing downtime or major complaints, performance was lagging. Slow load times and inconsistent stability risked frustrating users and reducing staff efficiency.
Outdated Drupal Version
Running on an older Drupal release, the site faced growing risks around security, support, and compatibility. Without upgrading to Drupal 10, the platform could become harder to maintain and integrate with new tools over time.
Technical SEO Gaps
American Councils wanted to expand its visibility in search results. While not severely underperforming, technical SEO issues—such as broken links, missing meta tags, and indexing inefficiencies—were preventing the site from reaching its full potential.
Security Concerns
Protecting sensitive data and ensuring compliance with best practices was critical. Without modern security protocols, the site risked vulnerabilities that could erode trust with users.
Clunky Search Experience
The search template lacked usability. Users found it difficult to quickly locate programs and resources, making navigation less intuitive and limiting engagement.
Our Solution:
Drupal 10 Upgrade
At the foundation of this project, Inclind migrated the site to Drupal 10. This ensured a secure, future-ready CMS with compatibility for the latest modules, improved performance, and long-term vendor support. The upgrade created a modern backbone that American Councils can confidently build on for years to come.
Comprehensive Site Audit
We began with a full audit of performance, structure, and technical health. By analyzing load times, accessibility, and backend configurations, we identified where optimizations would have the greatest impact.
Technical SEO Optimization
Using Google Search Console and SEMrush, we corrected SEO issues—such as broken links, metadata gaps, and indexing errors. These updates improved how search engines interpret and rank the site, enhancing discoverability.
Google Tag Manager Refinement
To support better decision-making, we streamlined Google Tag Manager. Cleaner configurations and event tracking provided American Councils with more accurate data on how users interact with programs and content.
Enhanced Security Compliance
We implemented HSTS, additional headers, and best-practice configurations to strengthen security. These steps reduced risk, protected user data, and aligned the site with modern compliance standards.
Redesigned Search Template
We revamped the search functionality to improve both performance and design. With smarter filtering and cleaner results, users can now find content faster and more intuitively.
The Result:
Faster, More Reliable Performance
The site now loads significantly faster and runs more consistently, creating a smoother experience for users while improving efficiency for staff.
Future-Proof Platform with Drupal 10
With the Drupal 10 upgrade, American Councils has a secure and modern CMS foundation that supports long-term growth, security, and integration flexibility.
Boosted SEO Visibility
Technical SEO fixes improved search rankings, making American Councils’ programs more discoverable to global audiences.
Stronger Security Infrastructure
Updated protocols and configurations reinforced trust by creating a safer digital environment for users.
Smarter Search Experience
The new search template streamlined navigation, helping users find critical resources with less friction and greater clarity.
Looking Forward
Inclind remains committed to American Councils’ long-term success. With Drupal 10 now in place, future improvements will be easier to implement, from performance optimizations to new integrations. Our ongoing support ensures the site continues to evolve alongside technology and user needs, empowering American Councils to further its mission in international education.