Move your Drupal site onto EU infrastructure
For sites that mostly present information, Drupal's real cost is the platform around the pages: upgrades, contrib patching and the developer time both consume. An AI rebuild turns those pages into static files, and VibeDeploy serves them under EU jurisdiction with nothing left to patch.
First, the honest version
No importer runs over your Drupal database here, and pretending otherwise would waste your time. The route is an AI rebuild from your existing content and design, deployed as static files. It suits informational and institutional sites, exactly the ones where EU jurisdiction tends to be a requirement. Sites built around content modelling, editorial workflows or many editor roles should stay on Drupal.
Why people move off Drupal
Upgrade pain
Major Drupal version jumps are famous for being projects in themselves. A static site has no framework to upgrade and no modules to keep compatible, so that recurring cost disappears.
Developer dependency
Even small Drupal changes often need a developer who knows the stack. Once a site is a rebuilt static site, you can change it by prompting an AI, which puts simple edits back in your hands.
Security patching
Drupal core and contrib modules need regular security updates, and falling behind is risky. A static site has no server-side application or database to exploit, so the routine patch treadmill goes away.
Hosting and complexity cost
Drupal wants real PHP hosting, a database, and often caching and a CDN to feel fast. A pre-built static site is fast without any of that, on a flat plan from €15/month.
How the rebuild works
The AI rebuilds; EU infrastructure hosts. This is the realistic sequence, including the domain cutover.
- 1
Map what the site actually needs
Separate the pages that present information from the parts that genuinely use Drupal's content modelling, workflows, or editor roles. The informational part is what rebuilds cleanly as static.
- 2
Rebuild it with an AI
Give Claude, ChatGPT, or Gemini your content and your current design (descriptions or screenshots) and have it produce a responsive static site that keeps your branding and structure. Refine it in the conversation.
- 3
Re-create the small dynamic bits
Contact and request forms use VibeDeploy's built-in forms relay, so they work without a backend. External integrations (maps, embeds, a newsletter provider) carry over as normal client-side code.
- 4
Deploy to VibeDeploy
Deploy from Claude via the VibeDeploy MCP server, paste the exported deploy guide into ChatGPT or Gemini, or upload the built files in the dashboard. You get a live URL in under a minute.
- 5
Cut the domain over
Point your domain at VibeDeploy when the rebuild is ready. SSL is automatic. Lower your DNS TTL ahead of time so you can switch quickly and roll back if something is off.
- 6
Maintain by prompting
Update the site by asking the AI to change it and redeploying, or edit the source copy VibeDeploy keeps for each site. No module updates, no version upgrades.
Is this right for your site?
A static rebuild is a great fit for some Drupal sites and the wrong call for others. Here is the honest split.
Good fit
- doneInformational, institutional, and marketing sites
- doneSites where Drupal has become more maintenance than benefit
- doneSmaller sites that were built on Drupal mostly out of habit
- doneOrganisations that want EU hosting and lower upkeep
- doneMicrosites and campaign pages spun out of a larger Drupal install
Stay on Drupal if
- closeSites built around Drupal's content types, taxonomy, and workflows
- closeLarge editorial teams needing role-based admin access
- closeMembership, login, or personalised-content areas
- closeCommerce, complex search, or heavy dynamic functionality
- closeLarge content repositories edited continuously by non-developers
Drupal vs a VibeDeploy static site
| Drupal | VibeDeploy | |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | PHP + database + modules | Static files on EU edge |
| Version upgrades | Major-version migrations | None |
| Security patching | Core + contrib modules | No server app to patch |
| Who can edit | Drupal admin + developer | Edit via AI or source files |
| Performance | Needs caching + CDN | Fast static by default |
| Hosting location | Depends on host | EU (Belgium) |
| Typical cost | Hosting + dev upkeep | Flat, from €15/mo |
Honest questions about leaving Drupal
Is there an automatic Drupal-to-static export?expand_more
Not one that cleanly preserves a custom theme and content model, which is why we do not pretend to offer one. The realistic route is an AI rebuild from your content and design. For informational sites this is very doable; for content-model-heavy sites it is not the right approach, and we will say so.
What about my content types and views?expand_more
Those are Drupal's strengths and they do not translate to a static site. If your site genuinely depends on them, stay on Drupal. If, in practice, the public site is a set of fairly static pages with a CMS bolted underneath, a rebuild removes a lot of weight.
Can editors still update the site?expand_more
Yes, but the model changes. Instead of logging into Drupal, you (or an editor) prompt an AI to make the change and redeploy, or edit the source files VibeDeploy stores per site. This suits occasional edits, not a busy newsroom.
Will I keep my search rankings?expand_more
Preserve your URLs where possible, carry over titles, metadata, and headings, and submit a fresh sitemap. A faster, simpler site tends to help. For large sites, plan redirects before cutover.
Where is it hosted?expand_more
In Belgium. Your site and visitor data stay in the EU, with a DPA available on every paid plan, which is frequently the deciding factor for public-sector and EU organisations.
One rebuild, then a stack you own
14-day free trial, no credit card. Your domain, forms and snapshots on EU infrastructure from day one.