Optimising Drupal’s Admin Experience: Introducing AX+

Many users find Drupal’s admin interface challenging at first, but sentiment improves significantly over time as they become familiar with its capabilities.

THE INITIAL EXPERIENCE
New users often find Drupal’s admin interface complex, with a steeper learning curve than simpler CMS platforms, leading to low sentiment early on as they navigate workflows

THE TRANSITION PHASE
As users gain experience, they understand how Drupal works, workflows become second nature, and they appreciate its power and control, boosting confidence

THE LONG-TERM OUTLOOK
Once past the learning curve, sentiment improves dramatically, with many users preferring Drupal for its flexibility and scalability, though early frustration can still be a barrier without enhancements

AX+ transforms the Drupal admin experience by simplifying the initial learning curve while retaining the flexibility that makes Drupal so powerful.

THE INITIAL EXPERIENCE
AX+ streamlines the admin interface, reducing complexity and making it far more intuitive for new users. This helps them get started faster, minimising early frustration and boosting confidence right from the start

THE TRANSITION PHASE
As users become familiar with AX+, they discover how to harness Drupal’s capabilities without being overwhelmed by unnecessary complexity. Workflows feel natural, and users can easily adapt as their needs grow

THE LONG-TERM OUTLOOK
With AX+, users not only master the system faster but also unlock the full power and flexibility of Drupal. This ensures a positive, productive experience long-term, without the steep learning curve traditionally associated with Drupal

Discover how AX+ makes Drupal’s admin experience simpler, more intuitive, and ultimately more powerful:

We use a curated set of modules to enhance the admin experience, including:
 

• ADMIN TOOLBAR
  Replaces the default menu with a more intuitive, dropdown-based navigation
   
• LAYOUT BUILDER OR PARAGRAPHS
  Provides greater flexibility in structuring content while maintaining consistency
   
• ENTITY BROWSER + MEDIA LIBRARY
  Improves media management with drag-and-drop functionality and better search tools
   
• GIN ADMIN THEME
  A modern, cleaner admin interface that makes Drupal far easier to navigate
   
• PERMISSIONS BY TERM
  Gives content managers fine-grained control over access without unnecessary complexity
   

These modules lay the foundation for a more usable admin experience while still maintaining Drupal’s power and flexibility.

While off-the-shelf modules improve usability, they don’t always go far enough. That’s why we have developed our own Custom Components to further refine the experience, including:
 

• A STREAMLINED CONTENT EDITING INTERFACE
  Removes unnecessary fields and reduces the number of steps required to publish
   
• A DRAG-AND-DROP PAGE BUILDER
  Allows marketing teams to create flexible layouts without needing a developer
   
• A SMARTER MEDIA EMBEDDING SYSTEM
  Makes it easier to reuse assets across multiple pages
   
• ENHANCED REPORTING AND CONTENT INSIGHTS
  Available directly within the admin area, helping editors make data-driven decisions
   

These enhancements ensure that content teams can work faster and with more confidence, reducing reliance on technical support.

Not every admin user needs access to every feature. We configure Drupal to show the right tools to the right people, ensuring:
 

• EDITORS GET A FOCUSED, CONTENT-DRIVEN INTERFACE
  Direct access to publishing tools
   
• MARKETING TEAMS CAN MANAGE LAYOUTS AND CAMPAIGNS
  Without needing deep technical knowledge
   
• DEVELOPERS AND ADMINS RETAIN FULL CONTROL
  While ensuring content teams can't break key functionality
   

By tailoring the admin experience to specific roles, we make Drupal feel like a tool designed specifically for each team.

By optimising Drupal’s admin experience, we help organisations:
 

• REDUCE TRAINING TIME
  New users can quickly get up to speed without extensive documentation
   
• IMPROVE CONTENT PRODUCTION VELOCITY
  Editors and marketers can create, edit, and publish content faster
   
• ENHANCE CONSISTENCY AND GOVERNANCE
  Structured workflows ensure content meets brand and compliance standards
   
• REDUCED RELIANCE ON DEVELOPERS
  Teams can manage more without needing constant technical support
   

These enhancements streamline admin workflows, reducing costs, saving time, and empowering editors to manage content more efficiently without relying on developers.