Multisite CMS: Strengths and use cases
- Günther Klee
- 08.01.2024
- Websites
Table of contents
What is a multisite content management system?
A multisite CMS can be thought of as a factory in which several different production lines are housed under one roof. Instead of operating a single website, a multisite CMS can manage multiple websites from a single location: everything is controlled from the same central platform. This means that different websites can be operated, all of which benefit from the same software and infrastructure and are easy to manage.
Advantages of a multisite CMS
- Webseiten management: Updates, security patches and changes to all websites can be conducted centrally, saving time and resources.
- Cost efficiency: Fewer resources are required for the separate administration and maintenance of each individual website.
- Design consistency: Changes to the design or content can easily be applied to all websites, ensuring a consistent brand identity.
- Scalability: A multisite CMS provides a structure that makes it easy to add more sites without having to start from scratch.
- Resource utilization: Server capacity, storage space and bandwidth can be shared by multiple websites.
- User management: Administrators can set different levels of access rights and controls for different users for each site.
Advantages of single-site CMS (multiple separate websites)
- Simplicity: Managing and maintaining each site is often more efficient and less complex.
- Control and flexibility: Website operators can make individual adjustments, designs, and functions without having to consider other websites.
- Performance: All resources and configurations are geared towards a single website, which often results in better performance and faster loading times.
- Specific customizations: For very individual websites, it is possible to integrate extremely specific customizations and functions.
For which scenarios are Multisite CMS suitable?
A multisite CMS makes it easier to manage and maintain multiple websites and helps to ensure consistency in design, content, and functionality. These strengths are particularly beneficial for large organisations. Here are some example scenarios where a multisite CMS is a good choice:
- Corporate groups or conglomerates: It is possible to manage separate websites for individual departments or brands, for example, while they are controlled from a central platform.
- Franchise companies: Websites for individual branches can be created and managed while maintaining a consistent brand presence.
- E-commerce platforms: Companies with product lines in different business areas and brands can use a multisite CMS to run separate web shops.
- Educational institutions: Universities or school districts can create separate websites for different faculties or schools while ensuring centralized administration.
Important criteria when choosing a multisite CMS
- Headless: This approach allows the CMS to be used as a single source for content, media assets and templates.
- Multi-client capability: Content for different websites (or brands or organizations) should be able to be managed independently of each other in their own environment.
- Localization: A CMS should make it possible to localize content for different markets. The ability to enter multi-language content and, if necessary, to translate it automatically are important requirements.