MultiSite – A Blessing In Disguise

Posted on Jul 14 2014 by in Blog 

Do you plan on managing more than one WordPress site? Then you should definitely take a look at WordPress Multisite. Even though this is a feature that is built into WordPress, many WordPress users have never used it or simply have no idea what it does. Like many other features of WordPress, Multisite does not require a lot of technical knowledge to get started; though, it may require some additional thought when setting up your websites. If you have been planning on creating more than one website using WordPress or would like to learn more about how Multisite works, then be sure to read this helpful guide so that you can decide whether or not to use WordPress Multisite.

What is WordPress Multisite? That is probably the first question WordPress users will have when the topic of WordPress Multisite arises. When WordPress Multisite was first introduced, it was installed as its own separate version of WordPress, referred to as WordPress MU. Eventually, WordPress Mu was integrated into the standard release of WordPress, providing users with a simpler method of managing multiple WordPress sites. Multisite allows for a streamlined approach for keeping track of updates for plugins, themes, and even WordPress itself. Instead of logging into the administrator dashboard of each WordPress site that you manage, you can handle all your administrative tasks from a single dashboard.

How do users switch to WordPress Multisite? This is not a feature that you can start using by simply selecting an option in the dashboard. You must decide whether to use Multisite before you start installing WordPress. It is also a good idea to make sure that the server your sites are hosted on is able to run WordPress Multisite. Some shared hosting plans may not offer the amount of server space and bandwidth necessary to run Multisite. Search the help forums of your hosting plan to find out if WordPress Multisite is allowed. Next, you will need to follow the instruction provided at WordPress.org for altering the code found in the wp-config.php file. This will enable the option that allows Multisite to be installed. The setup process for Multisite is similar to installing a single installation of WordPress, with a few differences. Users must decide whether to use subdomains or sub-directories for the additional sites. This option cannot be changed later on.

When should you not use WordPress Multisite? While Multisite is a great option for certain situations and can save administrators a lot of time, there are plenty of scenarios where Multisite will not work well. For your own personal blog, a small portfolio, or individual business websites, there is no need to use WordPress Multisite. There are also times when Multisite is a bad choice for managing multiple WordPress sites, such as when each website has a completely separate use or function and will not be using the same themes, plugins, and other settings.
The condensing of settings, resources, plugins, and themes is one of the main reasons for using Multisite. Use this feature when you plan on managing multiple subdomains or sub-directories in order to start saving time and energy.

Multisite works with all of our themes, so whether you want to get a package or just select a single premium theme, the options are vast, so get started today!images