WordPress Multisite is a built-in feature that lets you run a network of websites from one installation and one dashboard.

How it works

All sites share the same WordPress core, themes and plugins, but each site has its own content, users and settings. Sites can use subdomains (uk.example.com) or subfolders (example.com/uk/).

Good reasons to use Multisite

• Franchises and branches: one site per location with a shared design.
• Universities and schools: separate sites for departments.
• Brand networks: several brands managed by one team.
• Country sites: regional sites with shared features.

When Multisite is not ideal

• Sites that need very different plugins or hosting setups.
• Sites that may be sold or moved separately later.
• Teams that need full independence for each site.

Things to plan

• Hosting that can handle the whole network
• Which plugins are network-wide and which are per site
• User roles and who can manage what
• Backups and updates for the entire network

If you are considering a network of sites, we can help you decide and build it properly — see our WordPress CMS development service.

Further reading

• WordPress Multisite (WordPress.org)