What is WordPress Single Site?
When you install a new WordPress website with the default settings, you will have a WordPress single site. This is the traditional installation of the WordPress platform, where you have one website with one database and one set of files. It is the most common way people use the WordPress platform.
What Is WordPress Multisite?
WordPress multisite, on the other hand, allows you to create multiple websites using the same WordPress installation. This means that you have one database and one set of files, but you can create multiple websites, each with its own unique domain or subdomain. This is useful for people who want to create multiple websites or blogs but want to manage them all from one place.
The Key Benefits of WordPress Multisite
- Centralized management: With WordPress multisite, you can manage multiple websites from a single dashboard, making it easier to keep track of updates, security, and other administrative tasks.
- Shared resources: Multisite allows you to share themes, plugins, and users across multiple websites, which can save you time and money.
- Easier collaboration: You can give different users access to different websites, making it easier for teams to work together and collaborate on projects.
- Flexibility: Multisite allows you to create different types of websites, such as blogs, portfolios, and landing pages, all within one installation.
- Better scalability: Multisite can handle a large number of websites and users, making it a great option for businesses and organizations that need to manage multiple sites.
- Cost-effective: Instead of paying for separate hosting and maintenance for multiple websites, multisite allows you to manage all the sites under one roof, which can save you a lot of money in the long run.
- Customization options: You can create custom roles and capabilities for users on different sites, giving you more control over who can access certain features and functionality.
What You Need for Multisite
Broadly speaking any hosting service that handles WordPress Single Site can also handle WordPress Multisite. However, you should keep in mind the following:
- Does Your Host Allow Multisite? If your host gives you a simple one-click setup option, then you may not have the option for Multisite
- Server Resources: There are no specific resource requirements for Multisite over Single Site, however, if you are utilising a multisite, then the chances are that your website is going to be larger than a single site. You therefore should ensure that your hosting service provides sufficient files & database storage as well as CPU & memory resources.
Can You Change Between Single Site & Multisite
It is always better to know what type of WordPress setup you need from the start, however, it is possible to switch from WordPress Multisite to Single site and vice-versa. We would not recommend this for the inexperienced, but there are tutorials on-line that can guide you through the process. Backing up your website beforehand is essential.
The safest way to do this is to talk to your web developer about switching your website over to WordPress Multisite.
Should I Use Multisite or Single Site?
That may seem like a simple question, but it does actually require some consideration. Even when you have one website you may wish to opt for a multisite setup because of the flexibility it provides you. As your website grows you may find multisite useful. Below are some examples:
- Create a standalone landing page for promoting a service or product.
- Medium to Large businesses can segment their operations into subsites eg. having sales & servicing subsites for a car dealership.
- A subsite could be created for a members-only area of your website. This is likely to be a more secure option than having member & non-member content on the same website.
Even if you do not need it now, we would recommend that for the flexibility that it provides that every site should default to multisite. The only drawback is that some plugins may not work on Multisite, but they are usually older plugins that aren’t being maintained and should be avoided anyway. So unless you have the need for a specific plugin that does not support multisite and you have to use that plugin, then it should be multisite all the way.
