Sector(s)
American Councils is a global leader in international education, advancing language learning and cultural exchange for students and educators worldwide. Its mission — to prepare individuals for globally connected careers — requires a digital presence that is as strong and forward-thinking as its programs. To better support its mission, American Councils required a secure, modern, and user-friendly website that could grow with its organization.
To achieve this, American Councils partnered with Inclind to complete a comprehensive Drupal 10 upgrade accompanied by performance, SEO, and usability improvements. The transition to Drupal 10 provided a future-ready foundation while allowing us to address technical issues that were affecting stability and overall user satisfaction.
The Challenge
Performance Issues
Although the website remained operational, the underlying performance had begun to lag. Slow page loads and inconsistent responsiveness threatened to frustrate users and hinder staff efficiency.
Aging Drupal Version
Operating on an outdated version of Drupal introduced security and compatibility concerns. Without an upgrade, the platform would become increasingly difficult to maintain and integrate with modern tools or features.
Technical SEO Limitations
American Councils sought to increase its organic visibility. Still, issues such as outdated metadata, broken links, and indexing gaps were preventing the site from performing optimally in search results.
Security Risks
As an organization handling sensitive information, modern security protocols were essential. The older configuration left room for potential vulnerabilities that could undermine user trust.
Inefficient Search Experience
The existing search template made it difficult for users to quickly access programs and resources. Limited filtering and an outdated layout negatively impacted engagement.
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Our Solution
Drupal 10 Migration
Inclind upgraded the site to Drupal 10, providing American Councils with a secure, modern CMS that supports improved performance, streamlined workflows, and long-term scalability. This update created a stable foundation for future growth.
Comprehensive Audit & Optimization
We conducted a comprehensive evaluation of site structure, load performance, accessibility, and backend configuration. This allowed us to pinpoint high-impact improvements and implement targeted enhancements.
Technical SEO Improvements
Leveraging tools like Google Search Console and SEMrush, we resolved SEO issues, including metadata updates, link repairs, and indexing corrections. This helps search engines more effectively understand and rank the site.
Google Tag Manager Cleanup
We refined GTM configurations to ensure cleaner event tracking and more accurate analytics, giving American Councils clearer insights into user behavior and program interest.
Security Enhancements
By implementing HSTS, updating header configurations, and aligning the site with modern security standards, we significantly strengthened its overall security posture.
Redesigned Search Template
The search experience was rebuilt to be more intuitive and efficient. Improved filtering, cleaner layouts, and enhanced performance now help users find relevant content quickly and confidently.
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The Results
Noticeably Improved Performance
The site loads faster and performs more consistently, improving both the end-user experience and internal workflows.
A Strong, Future-Ready Drupal 10 Platform
The upgrade provides American Councils with a secure, modern foundation that supports future enhancements and integrations.
Greater SEO Reach
Correcting technical SEO issues helped elevate the visibility of American Councils’ programs in search results, expanding its reach to broader global audiences.
Enhanced Security & Reliability
Modernized security configurations reinforced user trust and reduced risk across the site.
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Looking Forward
Inclind will continue supporting American Councils as its digital needs grow. With Drupal 10 in place, the organization now benefits from a flexible platform that can evolve in tandem with new technologies and user expectations. Our ongoing collaboration ensures the site remains modern, performant, and aligned with American Councils’ mission to advance international education.
Back to topDrupal was the ideal platform for American Councils because it aligns with the organization’s need for stability, security, and long-term scalability. Already operating on Drupal, American Councils relied on its flexible content management capabilities to support complex program information and multilingual content. Upgrading to Drupal 10 allowed the organization to retain familiar workflows while gaining a modern, fully supported CMS built for performance, accessibility, and security. Drupal’s modular architecture and strong ecosystem also made it easier to integrate analytics, streamline user experience improvements, and support the organization’s global mission with confidence.
Technical Specifications
Drupal version:
