Why You Need a Drupal Certified Partner

Google can be an overwhelming place to begin the search for a Drupal development agency. Save yourself the headache: Skip ahead to the Drupal Certified Partner Marketplace.

These agencies are verified by the Drupal Association, the non-profit behind Drupal. They've shown their enterprise and industry expertise through verified case studies, leadership and innovations that push the Drupal Project forward. (Talk about checking all the boxes.) 

Let’s look at how to navigate the Drupal Certified Partner Marketplace on Drupal.org like a pro. We’ll also go over the benefits of having a Drupal agency partner with these creds. 

What Does it Mean to be a Drupal Certified Partner?

Any agency can claim to be a Drupal champion. But are they making a major and sustained contribution, like sponsoring a Drupal core maintainer, or a just drop-in-the-bucket effort? The Drupal Certified Partner Program helps evaluators to check the claim.

Unlike commercial directories for Drupal development agencies, the barrier for an agency to enter the Certified Partner Program ensures a higher level of quality. Ranking position and tiers on the Drupal Certified Partner marketplace are driven by a credit system that assesses annual contributions. The system rewards the activities that are having the biggest impact on the stability, security, and innovation of Drupal.

Inside the Drupal Ecosystem: Makers vs. Takers 

No doubt, Drupal is a well-respected OG in the DXP world. Drupal powers 1 in 8 enterprise sites, often with the support of a Drupal development agency.

How has Drupal held the throne? Thousands and thousands of people and organizations contribute code and support this open source platform and its community. Every effort counts. However, the level of investment agencies make in the platform by contributing regularly can vary greatly.

There are two types of Drupal agencies in this world: the makers and the takers. 

Simply put, makers invest in giving back to Drupal’s open source software. Takers do the opposite and get a free ride.

Drupal makers are few, but their impact is mighty: 

• Only 25% of Drupal agencies contributed to the platform in 2023. 
• The top 14% of that small slice pulled nearly all the weight: 88% of total contributions. 

4 Advantages of Choosing a Drupal Certified Partner

1. Expertise: Need a Drupal expert? You can count on a Drupal Certified Partner agency to be up to speed on new and upcoming developments for Drupal. These orgs, especially those in the top tier, have deep roots in the software and have established themselves in their domain. Of the top 5 Drupal agencies currently listed, all have been around for 10 or more years. 

2. A Proven Track Record: Drupal Certified Partners are required to have published case studies for the Drupal websites they have built or supported. Look for clear, measurable results. They can speak volumes about an agency's approach and ability to deliver. A trophy case of industry awards (like the Acquia Engage Awards) is a good sign, too.

3. Top Talent: Drupal.org is the main hub for Drupal developers. It houses all the resources and documentation needed for site building. It's also where Drupal talent can see which companies are high-profile contributors. So, they can see which ones are desirable places to work. If your site or project calls for A-team talent, bet on a Drupal Certified Partner. 

4. Protection for Your Website Investment: No one knows Drupal better than its development sponsors, and their deep knowledge can keep your site running smoothly for the long haul. 

Take this from the founder of Drupal himself, Dries Buytaert:

If you are an end user looking for a company to work with [Drupal development sponsors] are some of the companies I'd work with first. Not only do they know Drupal best, but they also help improve your investment in Drupal.

Conclusion 

The Drupal Certified Partner marketplace is the gold standard starting point on your search for a Drupal agency partner. You won’t find a more thorough and transparent directory out there. Check to see if the potential partners you're evaluating have topped the list. If their name appears, you’ll know your project will be in capable hands.