Should You Use WordPress Multisite? 12 Pros and Cons of Multisite vs. Multiple Sites

WordPress Multisite is a popular feature for website management. However, it greatly differs from managing multiple websites separately. Administrators must weigh the pros and cons to decide on the best approach. But first, what is WordPress Multisite and which types of websites should utilize it?

What Is WordPress Multisite?

WordPress Multisite allows for multiple website management on one WordPress platform. All sites are hosted on a single network, each sharing duplicate files, databases and administrators from one account. 

This approach helps save money and time in hosting, designing, optimizing and maintaining business websites. For example, Multisite occupies less server space and delivers the same functions and features everywhere.

Unlike regular WordPress sites, Multisite has a Super Admin role, enabling all user accessibility and website or blog creation within the primary account. The Super Admin has complete authority over the content that appears on the websites, including which plugins to enable. 

When Is WordPress Multisite Most Suitable?

There are several advantages to using WordPress Multisite, but it isn’t suitable for every website. For example, a college or university might use Multisite to create different department websites or student and faculty-run blogs. Having all sites under the school’s primary account makes site management much more straightforward, especially during data backups. 

Financial institutions with several branches might also find Multisite conducive to their needs. Other industries that may use this approach include hotel chains, outlet stores, e-commerce sites and online publications.

6 Pros and Cons of WordPress Multisite

Although not ideal for everyone, the right industry or company will benefit from using WordPress Multisite. Of course, some caveats exist, even if a business is most suitable for this approach. 

1. Centralized Management

The beauty of using WordPress Multisite is the centralization of website management on a single dashboard. This setup makes updating sites, content sharing and user management much more straightforward than employing multiple sites.

For example, account managers must log into individual accounts with multiple sites to conduct updates and customizations. With centralized management, primary account managers can maintain better control over access and permissions. Overall, the centralization is a time saver and helps boost productivity. 

2. Streamlined Updates

WordPress Multisite allows more streamlined updates to optimize performance and security. This means the Super Admin can simultaneously update site themes, plugins and cyberattack protections across all sites. 

While a time saver, this method prevents overlooking important website updates for individual sites. It’s also a better approach for creating a smooth and enjoyable user experience through increased functionality. 

3. Consistent Branding

Website designers understand the importance of branding. For instance, color alone can influence 90% of a consumer’s first impression of a product or environment. For this reason, Multisite administrators will appreciate this approach to consistent branding across every page. 

A consistent design helps build a unified online identity and presence, enhancing user experience. With Multisite, websites maintain the same color schemes, fonts, logos and aesthetics. In turn, the brand demonstrates authenticity and recognition while building consumer trust and loyalty. 

4. Complex Setup and Customization

Although there are plenty of pros to launching WordPress Multisite, it doesn’t have the most straightforward setup. For one thing, administrators must enable Multisite functionality and configure network settings. The Multisite dashboard and site-building structures are also complicated for those with limited experience. 

Administrators should also have excellent troubleshooting skills and greater technical knowledge to address challenges that appear on each website at the same time. These might include critical plugins or performance issues.

5. Single Network Dependence

Because WordPress Multisite depends on a single network, all websites are impacted when issues arise, such as server disruptions, corrupted plugins or breaches. Likewise, if one website needs maintenance, all sites will undergo the same updates since they’re on a single network. This is problematic for websites with independent requirements. 

6. Security Problems

WordPress Multisite presents several security issues — for instance, one site failure will affect all websites on the network. It’s also far more difficult to manage numerous user roles, which could ultimately result in unauthorized access and security breaches.

Often, breaches occur because of weak passwords. In one study of 20,000 websites, researchers found that 75% of sites didn’t require eight characters for passwords — the recommended standard. Thirty percent didn’t require special characters, such as punctuation.

6 Pros and Cons of WordPress Multiple Sites

Sometimes, having multiple WordPress sites is better than using the Multisite interface. However, like Mutilisite, there are just as many cons. 

1. Individual Site Management and Customization

Some administrators find that having multiple pages instead of WordPress Multisite is better for site management and customization. There is more flexibility in choosing individual sites’ themes, colors, and plugin features without running the plugin across all the websites. 

For example, Estée Lauder Companies is the parent company of Estée Lauder, Clinique, and MAC Cosmetics. Each brand has distinctive color schemes, fonts, logos and messaging, requiring different website customization and plugin features. Using Multisite wouldn’t allow Super Admins to manage each cosmetics brand under The Estée Lauder Companies separately as they could with individual sites.

2. Simpler Troubleshooting

Unlike WordPress Multisite, having multiple pages allows for easier troubleshooting. Administrators can isolate and rectify the issue on a stand-alone website without affecting the others. This also helps them quickly debug the network and address compatibility issues, site performance problems, and cyberattack security threats.

3. Allows for Independent Hosting

One critical benefit of stand-alone websites is the ability to host on separate servers and accounts. This enables greater flexibility in configuring and tailoring specifications to each website’s requirements. Overall, administrators can improve user experience and performance without compromising the other with unnecessary fixes.

4. More Time Required for Maintenance

Of course, managing multiple sites means spreading one’s time out among each for maintenance. Site managers must make these changes separately rather than send widespread updates across WordPress Multisite — including branding changes. This could take hours or days, depending on the intricacies of the website requirements. 

5. Inconsistent Design and Branding

Regarding branding, it’s much harder to achieve consistency across multiple websites than through Multisite. Administrators must repeat the design process for each website when they could essentially issue the same customization in one sweep. 

6. Difficult Management 

Managing multiple sites requires logging into each one individually. This can become complicated for administrators, who must keep track of all the changes they need to make. Likewise, they may overlook essential security updates for one site rather than being able to issue an update across multiple sites at once. 

Multisite or Multiple Sites: That Is the Question

Website designers and managers must choose whether to use WordPress Multisite or approach website management across several websites. Weighing the pros and cons based on the type of business and its needs can help them make the best decision.