WordPress Multisite Overview

Here, we outline WordPress Multisite and how it functions, as well as common use cases and which plans support them.

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WordPress Multisite

• Enables you to manage multiple WordPress websites from a single installation
• Allows you to create a network of sites, each with its content and users, while sharing the same core installation, themes, and plugins
• Particularly useful for organizations, businesses, or individuals managing multiple websites with a unified backend
• Used for a variety of reasons
• Unlike standalone WordPress installations, Multisite allows users to administrate and oversee multiple websites seamlessly
• Each site within the network operates independently, yet they share a common backbone, streamlining updates, maintenance, and user management
• Whether managing a network of blogs, an intranet for an organization, or a series of niche websites, WordPress Multisite brings them all together as one cohesive entity
• Multisite is most useful for people who are planning to maintain several websites that all follow the same basic requirements
  • Since all the sites will share the same core, theme, and plugin files, it is easier to maintain many sites by updating them for the whole network
• Multisites can be configured to use domains for the subsites instead of only subdomains and subdirectories
  TIP: Review Configure Domain Mapping in WP Multisite for how to set this up.

Common Multisite Purposes

• Company Intranet Sites
  • Allows the creation of separate sites for different departments or teams while sharing a common platform
  • Streamlines user authentication, ensuring a seamless experience for employees accessing various intranet sections
  • Promotes efficient collaboration, content customization, and consistent administration across the organization
• Online Community
  • Useful for creating subforums or sites that share the same style as the original
  • For example, online communities such as Reddit
• Branded Sites
  • Websites of similar style and layout such as e-commerce platforms are owned by a singular entity but use different branding on their storefronts

Multisite Hosting

NOTE: While it is possible to utilize Multisite with Managed WordPress Hosting, we currently do not provide technical support for Multisite apart from the initial installation. 

• All of the hosting plans we offer are capable of running a WordPress Multisite configuration
• Limitations on how many sites can be added are based on the limitations of the plan selected
• Implementing standard WordPress optimization practices is essential for effectively managing the scalability challenges inherent in large Multisite networks
  • The more sites you have, the more resources will be required