Support » Networking WordPress » Multisite or not?

  • Hello,
    I am in the process of setting up a site for a non-profit org which will include the general site, an online community/buddypress install, and eventually an online store. Wondering if I should use Multisite to install the store, buddypress and reg site in sub-domains, or if I’d be better off with a single WP install, or one on each sub-directory. I would want to share the user database across all subdomains, and wondering if Multisite is the way to go, for that reason alone….Any thoughts, or suggestions would be welcome.
    Thanks

Viewing 7 replies - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)
  • If you want to share the user databse, then multisite is was you want. I don’t think there is any other way to share it.

    Moderator Ipstenu (Mika Epstein)

    (@ipstenu)

    🏳️‍🌈 Advisor and Activist

    There is. WP Hive can do that, but Multisite is … not easier, but more supported 🙂

    Good to know.

    dannidar, one thing I like about the multisite is for updating/upgrading. Rather than updating 18 or so different blogs every week (with plugins I spent half my time updating) I only have to do it once.

    Thread Starter dannidar

    (@dannidar)

    Thanks for the replies.
    I’m just trying to work this out in my head!

    So what would the disadvantages be for doing a single wp install as opposed to the multisite? I’m assuming it would be really slow loading and that there would possibly be compatibility issues using so many plug-ins…(buddypress, s2member, contact 7, event espresso, cart66, etc.)

    But if I did 3 separate wp installs in subdirectories, I would not be able to share information across subdirectories, right?
    I’d like to be able to have a directory page on the main site that would pull from the Buddypress members’ profiles…I don’t think I could do that using three wp installs on sub-domains, but I could do it on Multisite and in a single, regular wp install, I believe.

    I just know that there are wp sites that have similar set-ups…like most plug-in sites that also have a support forum and sell products…just wondering the most efficient way to go about it, and if I even really need to share the database…
    I have more research to do, obviously!

    I’m still a newbie. I only started using WP in September, and multisite just a month ago. I’m still learning the nuances of the network.

    I haven’t noticed a difference in loading between the two set ups. They run basically the same plugins except the multisite uses buddypress.–Actually I take that back I did need to make changes because I found that jetpack and buddypress don’t get along very well. I found alternatives to the few features I was using and I think in the long run it was a better way to go.

    One site I set up with single installs. Next, month I’m going to move them all over to a network. Mostly for the reason I stated above, but also for ease of logging in, posting, etc.

    Single installs are easier to set up and figure out, but if you plan on creating lots of blogs under one domain I like the multisite.

    You might want to check out WP Hive that Ipstenu recommend and see if it will do everything you want.

    I currently have 3 separate wp sites for different domains. I’ve acquired a new domain and trying to determine whether I should do another individual installation or possible go to a multisite installation. All sites are using various versions of the same theme which needs up-dating to the current edition.

    With the multisite installation, would I have individual dashboards?

    Thanks for your thoughts.

    Tom

    Moderator Ipstenu (Mika Epstein)

    (@ipstenu)

    🏳️‍🌈 Advisor and Activist

    I personally recommend Multisite, most of the time 😉

    With the multisite installation, would I have individual dashboards?

    Yes.

Viewing 7 replies - 1 through 7 (of 7 total)
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