Using WordPress Multisite is creating more possibilities for many entrepreneurs. WordPress 3.0 makes Multisite capabilities available to all WordPress users with a sufficient hosting service. WordPress Multisite helps to consolidate the work of many websites into one network admin module. Using WordPress Multisite creates more possibilities for webmasters, although it must be managed properly to avoid increasing potential risks as well. Going into one admin account to maintain and manage different types of unrelated websites is a great asset to have for multiple startup web campaigns; this is ideal for webmasters with diversified interests.
Advantages of WordPress Multisite
Implementing Multisite for WordPress is the best way to take the webmaster experience to the next level. Master accounts can host an unlimited number of websites that are edited by users or locked by admin. Themes and plugins can be used by all the sites or only selected ones. The savings in time in installing and upkeep is significant for anyone with a number of websites.
In addition, eliminating the need for a separate WordPress installation for each site reduces the demands on the server and helps sites run faster and more smoothly.
There are extensive plugins to make WordPress Multisite management and security easy tasks for even for a novice webmaster or blogger.
More WordPress options with Multisites
WordPress Multisite has many characteristics to make it a great content management system for any avid WordPress user or webmaster to use. The capabilities are limitless when plugins are added to this extensive Multisite function. The neat part about WordPress Multisite is the versatility that is available to webmasters from the top down. Multisite can differentiate between the smaller site admin and the network admin for the entire account. The owner of the WordPress account can decide to make each smaller site or blog as similar or dissimilar as needed. The websites under the umbrella WordPress account can share the same properties, themes and plugins or webmasters can choose to have different properties for each site.
In addition to the ability to isolate or conglomerate various groups of websites under one WordPress account, Multisite allows webmasters to designate different URLs for each website or blog as well. WordPress account holders can designate varied domains or different paths to each website under one master domain. There are also WordPress multisite plugins that help webmasters designate an individual domain for each website under the master account. Webmasters should have a basic understanding of HTML, but there is enough WordPress support online to guide anyone through installation and customizations.
Secure the WordPress Multisite
Putting all the eggs in one Multisite basket makes reliable security even more important. There are many ways assertive webmasters can manipulate HTML, use plugins and applications to enhance the security of the WordPress network and protect the data from hacker attacks. Webmasters can use HTML to protect against spam and limit access to crucial data as well. One of the most important tips for webmasters to do is to establish different accounts for the network admin login and the logins to add content to the sites. It is important to consider all levels of security when building a multisite.
The best WordPress Multisite plugins
There are WordPress plugins that will help webmasters in several different ways. There are site-specific plugins, network plugins and must-use plugins. Webmasters will dictate which use for site-specific plugins; network plugins and must-use plugins will be applicable to all the sites under the master account. Security and speed are two of the most important factors for the success of any blog or website, and the proper use of Multisite can help.
WordPress plugins like Exploit Scanner will scan the network of sites for malicious content or questionable files. Askapache Password Protect is a plugin that can be used to add further security to measures to the multisite as well. This plugin will help protect the multisite from hacking attacks. W3 Total Cache and Cloudfare are cache plugins to help the multisite run faster for internet users and other bloggers on the multisite. Cloudfare also adds extra security measures along with the plugins WP-DB-Backup and WordPress Backup that create secure backups of the multisite data.
User Role Editor and Multisite User Management are multisite plugins that help the admin user define and manage roles for people on the multisite. The Domain Mapping plugin allows webmasters to map domains onto subdomains, for example, jibjab.com can host under widget.com. This feature allows individual websites under the master accounts to have unique domains apart from each other. WPMU Theme Info manages the various themes while WPMU Plugin Stats and Multisite Plugin Manager are for managing the plugins throughout the multisite.
Apart from its other advantages, the ability of admin user for the WordPress account to lock the content of the smaller sites or leave them open to modification such as when building a WordPress blog, creates many interesting opportunities for innovative business models or community networks. Enable Multi-Site allows Multi-site to be installed very easily. In addition, an explanation on how to get started by migrating multiple blogs can be found here.
