WordPress Multisite allows for multiple websites to be managed from a single WordPress installation and dashboard. It allows sites to be sub-domains or sub-directories and each site can have its own pages, posts, users, and plugins while being managed together. While Multisite can work for large networks like news sites and universities, it is often not needed for most small business or portfolio sites and a single site WordPress install will suffice in those cases. The presentation provides an overview of when and how to use Multisite as well as resources for setup, plugins, and documentation.

1. WordPress Multisite
What? Why? How?

2. Hello.
Brian Casel
Twitter: @CasJam
Restaurant Engine
restaurantengine.com
Today’s Slides & Notes Available Here:
casjam.com/wordpress-multisite-talk

3. What’s in store...
What is WordPress Multisite?
Should I Use WP Multisite For My Project?
Examples of WP Multisite
WP Multisite in Action
Setup & Installation (overview)
Plugins & Resources

4. What is WordPress Multisite?
WORDPRESS WORDPRESS MULTISITE
Multiple Websites (Main Site + Sub Sites)
One Website
Sites can be Sub-Domains or Sub-Directories
One set of pages
Sub-Domain: subsite.mainsite.com
One set of posts
Sub-Directory: mainsite.com/subsite
One set of users
One Set of Plugins & Themes
Each Site Has it’s Own Pages, Posts, & Users

5. Should I use WP Multisite?
MOST OF THE TIME... PROBABLY NOT.
My Client’s Small Business Website... Don’t Use MS.
My Portfolio Website... Don’t Use MS.
My Blog... Don’t Use MS.
Blog With Multiple Authors? Categories? ... Don’t Use MS.
Handful of Websites... Probably Shouldn’t Use MS.

6. Where’s WP Multisite Being Used?
News Networks: NYTimes Blogs (nytimes.com/blogs)
Universities: University of Maine (umaine.edu)
Blog Networks: Teach For Us (teachforus.org)
Hosted Site Services:
wordpress.com
edublogs.org
restaurantengine.com

7. WP Multisite in Action
WHAT’S DIFFERENT?
Additional User Type: “Super Administrator”
Network Admin
Creating a Site
Managing Plugins
Managing Themes

8. Setup & Installation
First, be sure your web host can handle WP Multisite.
Instructions for enabling WP Multisite in the WP Codex:
codex.wordpress.org/Create_A_Network
Choose Sub-Domains or Sub-Directories
Finish Setup & Test

9. Plugins & Resources
Official Documentation on WordPress.org
http://codex.wordpress.org/Create_A_Network
Domain Mapping
http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wordpress-mu-domain-mapping/
Site Replicator
http://wpebooks.com/replicator/
Gravity Forms + User Registration Add-on
http://www.gravityforms.com