One of the reasons why I’ve chosen to run for a position on the Drupal Association Board of Directors is because I’ve noticed that small-to-medium-sized agencies would like to contribute more to Drupal’s strategic direction. These businesses have played a huge role in building Drupal’s code, community and success over the years, and I believe they’re also a key component of its long-term sustainability. Companies with 25 or fewer people registered on Drupal.org make up the majority of those listed in Drupal’s Marketplace. It’s not a comprehensive survey, but it suggests that smaller agencies are the backbone of the community.
I’m an owner and co-founder of an 11-year-old agency that employs just over a dozen team members. We have a diverse client stable that includes non-profits, government departments, universities and businesses of varying sizes. Their project budgets range from $5,000 to $500,000, so it’s important to us—and many others like us—that Drupal continues being able to offer powerful and complex functionality for a wide price range.
I’ve heard the conversations about how Drupal 8 has made it more challenging to work with a smaller team and more expensive to build sites and applications. I’ve seen its relatively sluggish adoption statistics. I’ve watched with interest as Backdrop works on advancing a Drupal fork that doesn’t leave the needs of the smaller agencies behind. I sense that we’re at a watershed moment when these businesses need a strong voice at the table.
Small shops have unique strengths to offer clients: they’re often flexible, speedy, local and personal, with strong customer support. One way the Drupal Association could give a boost to these agencies would be by developing more guidelines and models for Drupal Business Summits. Aimed at helping prospective end-users decide whether Drupal could help meet their needs, these events have the potential to drive Drupal’s growth in new regions. Smaller agencies, often located in places with under-tapped markets, are perfectly positioned to lead the charge.
Getting elected to the Drupal Association Board of Directors would give me the opportunity to share my experience and expertise as a small-business owner. I invite you to make your own voice heard as well, by voting in this important election. (Voting ends today: July 13, 2018).