WordPress is a popular content management system (CMS) that powers over 40% of all websites on the internet. One of the features of WordPress is called a “Multisite”, which allows you to create multiple websites using a single WordPress installation. In this article, we’ll explore what a WordPress Multisite is, who needs one, and how to manage it.
What is a WordPress Multisite?
A WordPress Multisite is a network of WordPress sites that share a single installation of WordPress. With a Multisite, you can create multiple sites that share the same WordPress core files, themes, and plugins. Each site on the network can have its own unique domain name, or they can all use a subdomain or subdirectory of the main site’s domain.
How does a WordPress Multisite work?
When you create a WordPress Multisite, you start with a single WordPress installation. From there, you can create multiple “sites” within that installation. Each site has its own set of pages, posts, and other content, and can be customized with its own theme and plugins. However, all of the sites on the network share the same WordPress core files, which means that updates to the core will affect all of the sites.
Who needs a WordPress Multisite?
A WordPress Multisite can be useful for a variety of situations, including:
- Organizations that need to manage multiple websites, such as a university with different department sites or a company with separate sites for different product lines.
- Bloggers or publishers who want to create a network of sites that share content or users.
- Web designers or developers who create websites for multiple clients and want to manage them all in one place.
How to Manage a Multisite
Managing a WordPress Multisite requires a bit more technical know-how than managing a single WordPress site, but it’s still relatively straightforward. Here are some key tasks you’ll need to know how to do:
- Create a new site: To create a new site on the network, you’ll need to log in to the Multisite dashboard and use the “Add New” feature. From there, you can customize the site with its own theme, plugins, and content.
- Manage users: You can add users to the entire network or to specific sites within the network. You can also set different levels of permissions for each user.
- Install themes and plugins: Themes and plugins can be installed on the network level and activated on individual sites as needed.
- Manage updates: Updating the core files, themes, and plugins on a Multisite can be more complex than on a single site, since the updates will affect all of the sites on the network. It’s important to test updates on a staging site before applying them to the live sites.
Conclusion
WordPress Multisite is a powerful feature that can be useful for managing multiple sites within a single installation of WordPress. Whether you’re a blogger, publisher, organization, or web designer, a Multisite can save you time and make it easier to manage your online presence. By following best practices for managing a Multisite, you can ensure that your sites stay up-to-date, secure, and running smoothly.