Is it better to use multi network then multisite when sites are independent?

  • Let’s say I need to have three independent sites. If I create a multisite environment, then I have a main site and I can create three subsites, but sometimes, plugins would not show up on subsites (like BP) and making then show up there is tricky and sometimes doesn’t work well with shared users etc.

    By configuring WP as a multi-network with three networks (without subsites), would I get three sites which are more stable and closer-to-physically independent sites?

Viewing 9 replies - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
  • Moderator Bet Hannon

    (@bethannon1)

    Yes, by setting up three independent single-install sites, the plug-ins will be easier to manage. Was that your question?

    Thread Starter rechazame

    (@rechazame)

    @bethannon1

    I meant for something a little bit different. I will try to explain it in a different approach:

    1. WordPress as multisite:

    Network Dashboard (site 0)
    Main site (site 1)
    Subsite (site 2) (in use)
    Subsite (site 3) (in use)
    Subsite (site 4) (in use)

    2. WordPress as multi-network:

    Network Dashboard (site 0)
    Network (site 1) (in use)
    Network (site 2) (in use)
    Network (site 3) (in use)

    Question: Is it right to think situation 2 is better for having three independent sites running the same plugins and content structure?

    Moderator Bet Hannon

    (@bethannon1)

    Multisite doesn’t function as you’ve outlined in situation #1 — if I am understanding your scenarios. I think we might have some mis-communication with terminology going on.

    network= 1 multisite installation, consisting of one main site and any number of subsites.

    The network dashboard is not a site in itself, but rather the overarching control panel for the entire network.

    Each subsite will be a completely separate site, and while you can have the same plugins activated in each site, you will need to separately (manually) configure them. You will have to replicate manually any similarity in content structure.

    They will be three separate sites just as if they were, well… three individual installs of WP. They can share users (but don’t have to), and you will only have to update plugins, themes & WP once — but given the increase in complexity of management, I’m not sure you gain much by putting this into multisite. I would lean toward individual installs…

    Thread Starter rechazame

    (@rechazame)

    Yeah I see what you mean. I indeed described the scheme pretty awfully, my bad ??

    The environment in which I develop these sites changes a lot so I still want to deal with one platform to which I will apply the constant modifications.

    I guess putting my question more accurately would be asking whether three subsites under a multisite environment are less independent than three main sites under multi-network environment or not.

    I hope I got it right this time ??

    Moderator Bet Hannon

    (@bethannon1)

    There is no such thing as “multi-network”. You either have a network with subsites, or you have individual installs.

    What do you mean, “the environment changes a lot”? And what “constant modifications” are you thinking you will need to be making?

    Thread Starter rechazame

    (@rechazame)

    Hi Bet,

    I was talking about this and this.

    By modifications I meant that I implement almost all of the sites’ functionality (user management, CPT and taxonomies, etc.) via a plugin I’ve created. This plugin is being modified all the time, especially in the test site. Besides, I need the shared user pool so going multi-something is really seem like the better idea for this.

    What do you think?

    Moderator Bet Hannon

    (@bethannon1)

    I think it will depend a great deal on how that plugin is written.

    Moderator Ipstenu (Mika Epstein)

    (@ipstenu)

    ?????? Advisor and Activist

    I guess putting my question more accurately would be asking whether three subsites under a multisite environment are less independent than three main sites under multi-network environment or not.

    Short answer: No.

    It’s about the same level of mess with multiple networks.

    Thread Starter rechazame

    (@rechazame)

    Thank you both. I’m sticking with multisite.

Viewing 9 replies - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
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