One of the keys to enterprise-level business success is operating multiple brands or services effectively. A considerable portion of the operation of any massive organization depends on the ability to distribute content and resources across different channels efficiently. This can be an expensive and time-consuming task for teams that rely on multiple content management platforms.
WordPress Multisite enables the management of multiple websites from a simple control panel, creating a network. Once the multisite is properly set up, adding as many websites as desired to the network is possible. Like the operational chain of a large-scale business, the WordPress Multisite solution has several interconnected components, each equally critical to the whole.
- With WordPress Multisite, each new website incorporated into the network is entirely independent in content, even though the installations share the same database.
- All sites can be accessed from a single control panel, allowing a single set of credentials per user. Users can be added to one or multiple sites within the network.
- Themes and plugins are shared throughout the network. Plugins can be activated network-wide or only on sites that require them. By updating a plugin once, it updates it through the entire network.
How Can a Multisite Installation Benefit Your Business?
The advantages go beyond operational resources. Strategically speaking, your editorial possibilities multiply when you can create and manage different sites within the same instance. The same works for business opportunities, as hosting a corporate website, an eCommerce store, and individual brand websites within the same network is possible.
One of the main reasons to opt for a multisite solution is to become more efficient by saving time with development and content creation. Building one theme that can be shared across the network or extended through a child theme will save time and development costs.
For an even more time-efficient solution, it is possible to clone a site within the network. This is beneficial when you have other brands or sub-brands that require their own site with the same pages and content. It is also possible to syndicate content across your multisite network. A post can be created on one site and distributed to other sites within the same network.
Multisite networks are the preferred setup for businesses that own multiple brands, have different sites per language, and media companies that operate multiple publications.
Improved Deployment Workflows
As WordPress Multisites rely on a single codebase, maintaining themes and plugins becomes much more efficient. Through Continuous integration (CI) your deployment pipeline is streamlined as code updates are applied to all sites within the network. Connecting to multiple servers and maintaining multiple GitHub repositories is no longer needed with this type of architecture.
Security Matters
Because all sites within the network use the same WordPress installation, whenever a security release or major version update to WordPress is available, the update will be applied to all sites with a single click. This has a clear advantage over performing these updates on individual sites.
The same principle applies to plugins, where security patches and updates will be applied to the network. If a vulnerability is present in a plugin, having to patch the plugin once versus dozens of sites mitigates the risk significantly.
Examples Worth Sharing
Maple Leaf Foods: Revolutionizing Brand Management with a Unified Digital Ecosystem
Maple Leaf Foods, a staple in Canadian households for over a century, boasts a portfolio of more than ten renowned brands, including Maple Leaf, Schneiders, and Greenfield Natural Meats. Managing such a diverse brand array required a unified platform to streamline operations and maintain each brand’s unique identity.
Previously scattered across various hosting solutions and platforms, Maple Leaf Foods faced significant challenges due to the dispersed nature of its digital properties. This fragmentation led to considerable technical debt, complicating updates and new site deployments. Trew Knowledge engineered a consolidated WordPress Multisite ecosystem in response, offering a scalable, secure, and harmonious architecture. This solution not only streamlined operations but also preserved the distinctiveness of 7+ brands.
D4C Dental Brands: Elevating Pediatric and Orthodontic Care
D4C Dental Brands is dedicated to enhancing children’s oral health by supporting high-quality patient care through partnerships with specialized pediatric and orthodontic offices. As the largest and fastest-growing network of pediatric dental and orthodontic practices in the United States, D4C sought Trew Knowledge’s expertise to expand this exceptional care across its extensive network of partners. We designed a scalable WordPress VIP solution, developing a fully customizable theme that aligns with each practice’s unique branding. This allows site administrators to quickly launch new sites as the network grows, with over 100 sites now unified under this robust multisite installation.
Elevating Corporate Digital Strategies
Contact Trew Knowledge today to discover how our WordPress Multisite solutions can streamline your digital operations. Let us help you create a cohesive and dynamic online presence that drives growth and enhances your brand’s market impact. Connect with us to get started!
