WordPress multisite is a powerful and unique feature of the content management system (CMS). As the name suggests, you can use it to host multiple websites within a single installation. The sites share a database, but can use separate themes and plugins. What’s more, each site can have a unique domain or use subdomains.
Multisite installations are commonly used for enterprise and educational website networks. Why? It’s easy to create or remove sites, and you can manage users on a network or per-site basis. There are also endless customization possibilities to fit just about every niche.
The WordPress ecosystem has produced some outstanding multisite plugins. Some are designed specifically for site networks, while others have additional features catering to these installs.
The following is a collection of plugins that help you make the most out of your network. They make it easier to share content, keep tabs on site details, perform maintenance tasks, and more.
Broadcast Multisite WordPress Plugin
Broadcast makes it easy to share content throughout your multisite network. For example, you can create a page or post on the “parent” site and broadcast it to “child” sites. Need to make a change to the original post? Those changes are synced to the child sites. The plugin also works with custom fields, attachment images, and taxonomies. Commercial add-on packs enable broadcasting of forms, page builder layouts, and WooCommerce products. There are also options for syncing menus, widgets, and site cloning. Whatever you need to share, Broadcast can do it.
WP Multisite User Sync/Unsync
WordPress multisite includes the Super Admin role, providing administrative access to each site in the installation. That’s great, but adding lower-level users to multiple sites must be done one at a time. WP Multisite User Sync/Unsyc makes it easy to add (or remove) users to one or more sites in their WordPress user profile. Simply check (or uncheck) the sites you want the user to access. It’s a simple idea that can save you a lot of time.
Multisite Enhancements
Do you know which of your network sites are using a specific plugin or theme? Multisite Enhancements will show you where these items are active, helping you identify things you no longer need. The plugin also shows a user’s last login date, adds handy items to the WordPress admin bar, and makes it easy to identify each network site’s ID. In short, you’ll find lots of details that make multisite management a little easier.
WP Activity Log
The more websites you manage, the harder it is to keep track of what’s happening. Multisite installations are of particular concern: frequent user logins, software, and content changes are made. WP Activity Log provides a centralized place to view these activities. The log includes the user’s account, role, and IP address, along with a timestamp. The plugin also tracks multisite activities such as adding, removing, or archiving a single site. File change detection helps you identify any suspicious activity from the start.
NS Cloner
Spinning up new websites with identical looks and functionality is a common use of WordPress multisite. For example, consider retailers with multiple locations or organizations with multiple departments. NS Cloner is perfect for this scenario, as it lets you duplicate any site on your network. The site’s plugins, theme settings, and content are all copied to your desired URL. Don’t need the content? Build a “starter” site that includes only what you need and clone it each time you build a new site.
Disable Comments
Comments are great for blogging, but not every site needs them. Disable Comments gives you full control of your multisite’s comment settings, including the ability to deactivate them globally. You can also enable comments on just the sites where you want them. What’s more, there are settings to block comments created via XML-RPC and the REST API. It’s a way to reduce spam while leaving core functionality in place.
Multisite Language Switcher
Multisite Language Switcher will help you manage translations of your WordPress content, including pages, posts, custom post types, and taxonomies. The plugin is unique in that it connects posts in different languages across your network sites. For instance, you might have a site written in English and another in Spanish. You’ll create associations between these different versions of your content. From there, add the custom widget or block to your theme so users can switch between the available languages. It’s a niche use case, but part of what makes multisite so cool!
Relevanssi
The default WordPress search capabilities are limited, which can be an issue for content-heavy multisite networks. Relevanssi lets you tweak your search settings to include things like custom fields and use fuzzy logic. The pro version takes things a step further by allowing users to search your entire install. The results page will show content from every active site on the network – a powerful feature for large organizations.
Plugins to Supercharge Your Multisite Network
WordPress multisite provides a mix of convenience and power. You’ll get the advantage of managing multiple websites through a single login. Plus, you’ll get the same flexibility that WordPress is famous for.
The plugins in this roundup are here to help you achieve your goals. Some make site management a little easier, while others add features only available with a multisite installation. Use them to improve efficiency and build a network to suit your project needs.
Now, you have the tools to take advantage of this unique way to power your websites!
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