WordPress Network - What is it? Beginner's guide.

Have you heard of WordPress Network or WordPress Multisite and want to know what it is? If so, you've come to the right place. Today, we are going to see together what WordPress Multisite or Network is. How it works and how it can help you as a business.

What is WordPress Network (Multisite)?

A WordPress Network , or Multisite, is a feature of WordPress. Indeed, it allows users to create and manage multiple WordPress websites from a single WordPress installation. This means you can operate multiple sites using the same set of themes, plugins and a unified dashboard. For this reason, you can greatly facilitate the management of several projects or sites.

How it works ?

A Multisite installation centralizes the management of several sites. In a network, all sites share the same WordPress core code. However, they can have their own themes, plugins, and content. This allows a significant saving of time and effort in managing updates, security and extensions. This is because you can manage all resources from your admin panel.

How to create a network on WordPress?

Building a network on WordPress requires technical skills. We invite you to consult the WordPress guide. However, we will summarize the steps below.

1. Preparation : Make sure WordPress is already installed on your hosting. For a Multisite, the hosting must be reliable and capable of managing several sites.
2. Activation : You will need to modify the wp-config.php file of your WordPress installation by adding the line define('WP_ALLOW_MULTISITE', true); just before the line /* C'est tout, ne touchez pas à ce qui suit ! Bon blogging. */ .
3. Installation : Go to Tools > Network Configuration in your WordPress dashboard. Follow the instructions to configure your Multisite network, including URL structure and adding sites to the network.
4. Configuration : Once the network is created, you will be able to configure aspects such as the themes and plugins available for the network sites, security settings, and storage limits.

WordPress Network (Multisite) vs WordPress Simple

The main difference between a WordPress network and a simple WordPress lies in the management of multiple sites. A single WordPress site is a single WordPress installation managing a single site, while a WordPress network allows multiple sites to be managed from a single installation. This has implications in terms of management, performance, and resource use.

However, it is possible to use a simple WordPress website for several sites by using the REST API. If you want to learn more, check out our article on the WordPress REST API .

How to better leverage WordPress Network

Before using WordPress Network, you must evaluate whether it is suitable for your needs. Indeed, although being an easy-to-use solution, its use without real understanding can have bad consequences. Below are some tips.

• Standardization : Use common themes and plugins to maintain consistency across sites.
• Centralized management : Update WordPress, themes and plugins in a single operation for the entire network.
• Security : Apply security measures centrally, improving protection for all your sites.
• Development : Develop sites more quickly and efficiently, by reusing configurations and tools.

Some frequently asked questions

Q: Can I convert an existing WordPress site to a Multisite?
A: Yes, but this requires modifying the configuration of your WordPress and potentially your server. The official WordPress documentation offers a guide for this conversion.

Q: Do plugins and themes work on all sites on the network?
A: Some plugins and themes are designed specifically for Multisite, while others can work on a site-by-site basis. It is important to check compatibility.

Q: Can each site in a WordPress network have its own domain?
A: Yes, with domain mapping configuration, each site in a Multisite network can use its own domain name.

In conclusion, WordPress Network is a powerful solution for those who manage multiple WordPress sites. By understanding how it works and following best practices, you can significantly improve the efficiency of the management of your sites, while benefiting from a

increased flexibility and centralization of resources. However, setting up a WordPress network requires a solid understanding of WordPress as well as some familiarity with networking concepts. By mastering these skills, you will be able to get the most out of this powerful feature, optimizing the management of multiple sites to meet a variety of needs, whether for personal projects, businesses, or educational initiatives.

Additional tips for optimal operation

• Performance : Monitor your network performance regularly to ensure all sites are operating optimally. Use caching tools and optimize databases to improve site loading speed.
• User Separation : Effectively manage user roles and capabilities across the network to maintain clear hierarchy and strong security.
• Regular backups : Make sure you have a regular backup strategy in place for the entire network, minimizing the risk of data loss.
• Support and Training : Provide resources and training to users on your network to help them use WordPress effectively, contributing to the quality and security of the entire network.

Conclusion

WordPress Network (WordPress Multisite) is a robust and flexible feature. Indeed, It is designed for those who need to manage multiple WordPress sites efficiently and centrally. Although it has many advantages, such as ease of management and standardization of practices, it requires an in-depth understanding of WordPress. You need to plan carefully to deploy effectively.

Ultimately, using WordPress Multisite depends on the specific needs of your project or organization. Therefore, with the right preparation and management, this solution can significantly simplify the management of multiple sites. This allows administrators and content creators to focus on what really matters: providing quality content and offering an exceptional user experience to their audience. However, it is important to note that poor management can lead to the downfall of all websites. Hence the need to work with experts. Contact us to evaluate your project.