One WordPress, many websites
Agencies usually build each client site as its own WordPress install. Ten clients, ten installs, ten sets of updates. It works, until it doesn’t scale.
In Gran Canaria I talked about the alternative: WordPress Multisite, one install running many sites.
Why it helps
One codebase to update. One place to manage plugins and themes. New sites in seconds. Fun fact: WordPress.com is the biggest Multisite installation in the world.
Running it well
Set it up with WP-CLI so it is repeatable. Use a domain mapping plugin so each site gets its own domain, and Better Search Replace when moving between staging and production. Automate SSL with Let’s Encrypt. Schedule maintenance with cron.
Scaling
When the network grows to hundreds of sites, the server stack matters. Go cloud, add caching, and keep an eye on the database, which grows faster than you expect.
A network of networks
For agencies with very different client groups, you can go one level higher: several Multisite networks under one install, with single sign-on across them. It is powerful, and it needs discipline.
Multisite isn’t right for everyone. But when the sites share a codebase and a team, it saves a lot of repeated work.
