Anyone consider using WP Multisite? | Bloggers Lair | Yakezie Forums

I have dealt with multisite numerous times and I do NOT recommend it in most cases. Here are just a few reasons:

• If you ever decided to sell a site, move it, etc. it's very difficult to separate it from all the other sites on the installation. This is my biggest argument against multisite.
• Any plugins or themes you want to install have to be done through the primary site, then either Network Enabled (meaning they're active on every single site) or enabled manually for each site where you want to use them.
• All the sites are set up either in a subdirectory or subdomain, and you have to set up domain mapping to point them to their respective domains. It's not a huge deal but it's a pain in the ass, especially if your host isn't willing to change the server settings you need for automatic subdomain creation.
• If your primary site is ever hacked, every site on the installation is going to be affected.
• Similarly, a plugin conflict could take down all sites because the plugin is only installed once.
• There is quite a bit of technical expertise involved in getting multisite running.
• All the good plugins that take advantage of multisite are sold through WPMU Dev, and they get pretty pricey.

If you're looking for a way to manage all your sites from one place, I'd recommend something like ManageWP, Worpit, Infinite WP, CMS Commander, or WP Remote. Just my two cents (or maybe ten cents in this case!)

MoneyIsTheRoot said:

Andrea…regarding the manageWP and the rest that you do recommend… are they fundamentally different than the multisite pluging…meaning no issues with blog separation down the road, but all the same benefits?

 

Thanks!

I use ManageWP for the client sites I maintain. It's not perfect, but I like it enough to keep paying for it. All the sites have their own WP installs and are completely separate but it makes it easier to manage things.

I can see all available updates, SEO stats, uptime stats, error logs, etc. for all the sites in one place, and it allows me to set up automated backups of each site that are sent to my Dropbox (and it erases the previous one so my Dropbox isn't full of backups). I can go to the dashboard of each site within ManageWP or I can open them all in tabs with one click. It makes things much easier. 

I don't know if all those options are available with the standard pricing package – I use the business one because I needed all the features for it to be worthwhile. With that plan, you basically pay a little over $4 a month per site, but since my clients pay me for management/maintenance it's worth it for me.