Best Practices For Creating a WordPress Multi-Site

Most people hear 'WordPress CMS' and think about building one website. Why have one when you can have several? You now have the option to run multiple websites more efficiently with less effort. How? You may ask through the WordPress multisite or WordPress Multi-user (WPMU). It is an old feature of WordPress that is often overlooked. WordPress Multisite gives you the ability to manage several different websites from a single dashboard. Additionally, you can also invite anyone to have their site on your network.

As cool as it sounds, many people don't use it, sometimes due to ignorance on setting it up effectively. This article provides you with the information you need when implementing the WordPress multisite. WordPress multisite is a feature that allows for the creation of multiple websites on the same server, and the multisite all existing on the same installed WordPress network. Each site is managed on a dashboard in the home URL accessible only to you (the super administrator). This makes you the "top administrator" of the subsidiary websites.

Gone are the days when you had to create individual hosting arrangements and installations for each website. You can also invite other people to develop and run their website under your hosting account for commercial or educational reasons. This way, you can access multiple websites on a single dashboard, making various websites a breeze. Each site under you can still have their local administrators that can make website changes, but only you will have access to effect a server-wide change.

To create your WordPress multisite on your existing WordPress website isn't going to be as easy as the click of a button; your installed WordPress will require some modifications to its code. Code? Do not let this word scare you off. With the right information and support of our experts at clarity ventures, anyone can execute this modification.

Critical Components of WordPress Multisite

WordPress multisite, otherwise known as WPMU, comes with its key features, and knowing them will help you understand a little better what exactly WordPress multisite is.

• Plugin Accessibility Apart from limiting the accessibility of other users, the network admin is also in charge of what plugins are made available on the network to all other users. However, the website admin determines which plugin from the ones available will be activated on their website.
• Website Theme The network admin is responsible for the theme of each website on the network. However, if the network admin decides not to enforce a 'general' theme strictly, each local website admin will be responsible for their website's outlook.
• Content management The last and most crucial take for the super admin is the content. The network admin does not have sole responsibility for the websites' content. Both the network admin and website admin can control the content. The network admin control spans the entire network. The website admin determines what content from the main domain is displayed on their website.

Is WordPress Multisite Ideal for Me?

The integration of multiple websites under one host is not for everyone. To know if WPMU is for you, the answer lies in your company's purpose and structure. You must determine if your business needs WordPress multisite to ensure it doesn't negatively impact the long run. You should know that every website on a multisite network shares the same database. In other words, each website on a WordPress multisite network has no individuality beyond its appearance.

Take, for example, a brand that has been successful enough to have various branches dealing with different products. If that brand starts a WordPress multisite, sharing the same database would not prove a problem as each branch/product shares the same purpose and company name. The sort of merger that is a characteristic of WordPress multisite is necessary for the following instances;

Educational Sites; Multisite is a great tool when training web developers and web designers. This way, the subsidiary websites can deal with various classes and instructors.

Various Client Websites; if you handle different client websites, then having them under an umbrella hosting domain is an excellent way to synchronize management. You can effectively monitor each one with more ease and keep them up to date through a single dashboard.

A local business network; Does your company have a large workforce and a massive client base? If your employees need to communicate with clients independently, then having an internal network of websites under your brand site will aid this form of communication.

Commercial network of websites; The perfect example of this is WordPress itself, where people pay a fee to host their website on your network. With the multisite feature, you can have an unlimited number of websites on your hosting domain.

If you decide to use WordPress multisite to host and manage unrelated users and at a certain point a user chooses to move their website, this would constitute a problem as that user's website is no longer just theirs. So, is WordPress multisite an ideal choice for you? Well, that's up to you to decide based on the purpose of your website. You need a WordPress Multisite if

• You want to manage your many personal blogs better
• You want to manage various client websites effortlessly
• You want to have a professional website administrator for a startup
• You are running an educational or commercial program

With all the information in this section, it is customary to speak to a well-trained expert before making a tailored decision. Our professionals at clarity ventures are available to guide you as you determine whether or not you need a multisite. Knowing the pros and cons will help you determine if you're willing to take some risks or not. Weigh your options carefully.

Requirements to Start a WordPress Multisite

Knowing the pros and cons, you should have enough information to decide if WordPress multisite is an ideal option for you. If you have decided it is the right fit for you, this is the requirement to begin using WordPress multisite.

1. Get a hosting provider The first and most basic requirement is a hosting provider that supports multiple websites (domains) in a single web hosting plan. The hosting provider you choose would depend on how large you want your network.

If your plan comprises only a few websites, then you should opt for a shared hosting account. If you want a massive WordPress multisite, then some hosting providers to consider are;

• A Managed WordPress hosting
• VPS hosting

Siteground or Bluehost are two hosting plan providers we recommend.

2. InstallWordPresss Another is to install WordPress. Although if WordPress is already installed, then you have the advantage to go on ahead to the next requirement.

3. FTP Access Lastly, you need to possess FTP access. Here you will have to modify the code (FTP). After which, you will need to activate permalinks. All to have functional subdomain and directories. To get more information on this, you can contact our well-trained professionals to make this transition effortless.

Also, you should ensure you make use of plugins. WordPress Multisite plugins make your job as easy as they can get. An advantage is that it may consist of Security, Performance, and SEO, all essential to your website's functionality.

Clarity WordPress Experts

Finally, you are here, now when you have made up your mind to launch your WordPress multisite, the following benefits of; efficient coding, management, and development is only a click away. Clarity – Ventures is your one stop shop to all your essential digital needs. We have the right tools and team of professionals under our wing. Just reach out to us, and we'll handle your digital journey and take your business on the top.