Can I develop something like this with Drupal?

neroflick - January 1, 2009 - 09:54

Hi all,

I just discovered Drupal recently having spent the past three years developing websites with Joomla (i wish i discovered Drupal first) so i'm a stark newbie here. I got a client who wants a website similar in functionality with this website: http://www.fxpro.com

Was this site developed with Drupal?
Can i develop it with Drupal?
If yes, what modules do i need to use and what learning path do i take to be able to master drupal website development?

I also have a little fear about availability of exotic themes (or templates like we call it in joomla). I need to know where to get high quality (commercial) drupal themes, or better still if any subscription-based themes club exist.

Thanks in advance of a speedy response.

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It's not Drupal, but yes Drupal can do it

Keyz - January 1, 2009 - 10:54

Though I suspected it might have been Drupal at first (from a few indicators I saw in the view source), but I checked with a more certain method, and it doesn't appear to be Drupal. I use the ./is-drupal command line script mentioned in the comments.

However, yes Drupal can be used to create a site with similar functionality and theming (of course I don't know though about the internal logged-in part of the site).

I can't outline "every" aspect right now, but just looking at the site, here's some thoughts:

Many elements of the site appear to be highly custom themed... this can be done with a combination of good CSS/design skills, Views module, CCK, and probably Panels (CCK and Views are the most powerful and versatile modules in Drupal, and would be what you'd use to create the bulk of what makes up the site).
The language translation options are available in Drupal... core has Locale module and there are a variety of internationalization (i18n) modules to expand even further if needed.
For the video, SWF Tools module, and to make it pop up like they do, use Thickbox module, which is the same Javascript they use.
For a lot of module recommendations that may also apply to a site like this (with links to each), see my list at the bottom of this page (you'll need more than this to cover any special needs/functionality, but these are the "meat and potatoes"): http://www.davidnewkerk.com/book/103

The best commercial Drupal theme site is topnotchthemes.com ... there's some great themes there. I believe templatemonster.com sells Drupal themes now also. There isn't the same level of commercial themes for Drupal as for Joomla, though I find most higher-end Drupal sites will only create their own custom theme from scratch. Theming Drupal is not very hard though, so it's not difficult to transform just about any layout/theme into a Drupal theme. Devel module has a very helpful theming tool also.

I've written a variety of Drupal lessons/guides you may find helpful: http://www.davidnewkerk.com/drupal-articles
Particularly you may want to study my CCK/Views guide, which people have seemed to find helpful in understanding those modules:
Creating a CCK and Views powered Drupal site

There's a good intro level video course on www.lynda.com as well as a video course from www.lullabot.com
The video lessons here are very useful: http://mustardseedmedia.com/podcast/

Also there's a variety of excellent books:
http://www.packtpub.com/drupal-books
http://www.amazon.com/Pro-Drupal-Development-John-VanDyk/dp/1590597559

Hope this helps! :)

-- David
davidnewkerk.com | absolutecross.com
View my Drupal lessons & guides

Thanks for the prompt reply

neroflick - January 6, 2009 - 01:27

I didn't expect such a detailed response to come that fast. Thanks David, I appreciate your taking the time to help. However i still have a few more questions, what modules would i need implement the following features:

1. Application form for prospective investors - information is stored in database
2. Report page showing investment details like amount invested, maturity dates, payout due date etc. Each investor should only see his/her own information.
3. CRM/Live Support Helpdesk
4. Discussion Forums
5. e-Learning
6. Newsletter - site visitors can subscribe to newsletters/alerts

Thanks again for your time ... and anyone else out there willing to contribute.

Re:

Keyz - January 6, 2009 - 04:47

Hi Chris -

One option is to create a CCK type (e.g. call the type Application) that is set to allow anonymous submissions (the user does not have to create an account first). The benefits of this method include: a) Easy to set up the various types of fields you wish to collect... b) Storage of application data in the system, to be browsed/viewed only by users who have the proper permissions (to restrict access you will need a node access control module, such as Content Access)... c) Possible to create multi-step forms (see my guide for an example of one way to do this)... d) Integration with Views module and many others. Alternately you can investigate the Webform module. Its drawback (in certain situations) is that it does not interface with other Drupal modules such as Views, however if you don't need that, and like the features it offers, it is a great solution. Some benefits on its side are emailing the submission to you (if desired) and facilitating the export of submissions into CSV/Delimited or Excel format to display in your own spreadsheet.
This I'm not so sure about. It sounds feasible that this data could be collected from the user through CCK, and displayed back through access-controlled nodes and/or Views, but it's too involved for me to know how far that alone will get you (e.g. not sure where this data comes from, whether the user is submitting/updating it or if something else has to calculate and update the data). I'd suggest learning all you can about CCK and Views, possibly Computed Fields module, as well as (if you're a developer) Drupal's FormAPI and other technologies available in Drupal... if those don't prove enough to complete your exact requirements, you can write (or have written) a Drupal module to fill in the functionality you need.
For CRM, Drupal has direct integration with CiviCRM, and possibly other systems. Here is the group where CRM is specifically discussed: http://groups.drupal.org/enterprise-crm-integration
Drupal core comes with a Forum module, which is light-weight and simple. It can be expanded with any additionally desired features with a variety of add-on modules (here's a list of some add-ons, though there are likely many more). The core forum module is often paired with Advanced Forum module, which serves to make the forum look and behave more like one of the popular 3rd party forum systems (e.g phpbb, vbulletin, etc). It also automatically draws in data and functionality from add-on modules, if they are installed.
I'm not sure on the details about this one, but please see this listing of modules that mention e-learning. Also there's an e-learning discussion group: http://groups.drupal.org/drupal-education
Drupal integrates with a variety of newsletter systems, and also has at least one good integrated module available, Simplenews.

One feature of drupal.org that will help you research modules is the "Search downloads" block, which you can enable in your user account page.

I hope this is helpful :)

-- David
davidnewkerk.com | absolutecross.com
View my Drupal lessons & guides

Can I develop something like this with Drupal?

It's not Drupal, but yes Drupal can do it

Thanks for the prompt reply

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