Drupal, while being a free, flexible and open-source Content Management System (CMS), requires a steep learning curve especially when you have to install it.

Keeping the complexity of the installation process in mind, here are 9 simple steps to setting up Drupal:

#1: Install Drupal on your web server, by visiting the tarball from drupal.org. Also ensure that your web server is configured and is setup with all the appropriate libraries that are required to install Drupal.

#2: Learn how to use the administrative dashboard. Some of the functions that you can perform are adding content and users, installing modules, modify the appearance, configuring the structure and much more.

#3: Install Modules that your website requires by clicking on the ‘Add Module’ in the Module section of the administrative dashboard.

#4: Install either finished or your own themes to ensure that the look and structure of the page is exactly what you had in mind.

#5: Begin work on the structure of the site by creating the content types, menus and views as well as adding content. In particular, look at the ‘Blocks’ and ‘Taxonomies’ section.

#6: Create the ‘Views’ section. This module is used for creating slideshows, tables and lists of other nodes on your website.

#7: Add your content once you have configured the structure of the website.

#8: Test and edit everything before releasing the website for public view. Check on the permission levels for the protection of your site. Also, test the website and its readability on different browsers and platforms.

#9: Make the Drupal website live by using a domain name and spread the word just as any other site would do.