WordPress is great - and so is Drupal. They are different platforms and should be selected for different projects depending on the needs. So how do you make the choice? Here are a few questions you should ask yourself:
- What features do you need?
- Do you need complex permissions?
- Does the software need to be updated?
- What's your budget?
What features do you need?
If you just want to blog, give WordPress some serious consideration. It's simple, elegant and widely supported. If you want to do more than blog (like collect user input, create a social network, etc) Drupal is likely a better base to build from - the code base is designed to be extensible and there's a large community of developers who have contributed hundreds of plugins called "modules".
If you are looking for specific features, you can check whether something like that already exists for Drupal on drupal.org in the modules section. Not all modules are created equal though and some time should be given to a security review of anything you integrate into your site.
Do you need complex permissions?
If some users needs special kinds of access to your website, Drupal is great. It's got a built in, granular permission system that allows you to create any number of roles you need and assign permissions with the click of a checkbox.
Does the software need to be updated?
Drupal - when developed properly - maintains a clean upgrade path. While this doesn't matter for all websites, when it is in place this allows for relatively painless security updates. On a high profile website, this can be very important.
What's your budget?
Finally - and maybe most importantly - budget can be a big factor. WordPress is generally easier to get up and running, which means it will cost less, at least initially. If you do need to get started on a budget, but think that Drupal will be a better long term fit, you can get started with a hosted service like Drupal Gardens. This free service gives you the ability to build a Drupal site using WYSIWYG tools and later export your site for custom Drupal development.
No matter what you choose, working with someone who is familiar with both of these platforms can often be a good idea. Development teams may have a preference to one or the other, but a good developer - like any other good craftsperson - will always choose the right tool for the job.