Building Web Apps with WordPress, 2nd Edition

Chapter 12. WordPress Multisite Networks

With the release of WordPress version 3.0 came WordPress Multisite. WordPress Multisite was known as WordPress Multiuser (WPMU) prior to version 3.0 because it was a separate open source project. Since WordPress and WPMU shared most of the same code, it made sense to roll it all into one project. Multisite gives WordPress administrators the ability to create their own network with multiple sites. All sites on a Multisite network share the same database and same source files. When Multisite is set up, new tables are created in the database for each new website that is created on the network.

Why Multisite?

If you are running more than one installation of WordPress, especially if they are mostly similar websites, you should consider using Multisite to save your valuable time and/or money. Imagine updating all of your WordPress installs at the same time instead of separately. Some benefits of Multisite includes the following (see Figure 12-1):

• Sharing a common set of plugins, themes, and custom code across many sites.

• Managing all of the users on your network in one location.

• Accessing all of your websites with one super administrator account.

• Updating core WordPress and installed plugins and themes at one time and in one place instead of via multiple websites.

• Easily deploying a new website with a few clicks instead of building a new installation from scratch.

• If you are using a child theme framework for all the sites on your ...