What does the term ‘multi-site’ mean?
Also spelled ‘multisite’ or ‘multi-site’, the term ‘multi-site’ refers to a feature in Drupal 8 that allows you to run two or more websites with the same Drupal core off a single Drupal 8 installation.
If you want a more in-depth understanding of this topic, check out the FAQ section below:
Question #1: What are the benefits of running a multi site Drupal setup?
The biggest benefit of running a multi-site Drupal setup is that it makes managing multiple websites so much easier. Instead of having to update the codebase of every single website you own every time a new update to Drupal core gets released, you just need to update a single codebase and all the websites connected to it would automatically reflect all the changes.
The process becomes so simple, in fact, that according to the Drupal website, you should be able to complete the entire operation in under two minutes. Just imagine how much longer it would take if you had to update each website one at a time.
Now, if you want to make the process even faster and simpler, you can also use the Aegir Hosting System. It not only allows you to perform updates on all connected websites using a point-and-click system but also comes with an auto-rollback feature that restores any websites that fail after being updated to their original state.
Question #2: What are the downsides to running a multi site Drupal setup?
The biggest downsides to running a multi-site Drupal setup are as follows:
- It requires advanced technical skills. You need to know how to use the command line to make the most out of it.
- It is only advisable if you run multiple websites that use virtually the same settings and modules. An example of this would be if you are a video game publisher and have one website up per title in your catalogue.
If the websites you run use different settings and modules, a multi-site setup would make management and troubleshooting so much more complicated.
Question #3: If I run a multi-site Drupal setup, can I use a single database for all connected websites as well?
The short answer is yes, if you run a multi-site Drupal setup, you can use a single database for all connected websites as well. But just because you can, does not mean you should.
The only real benefit you will get out of doing so would be minor storage space savings. In exchange, you will have to deal with things such as:
- A simple database problem affecting all your websites instead of just one
- A more complex and challenging migration process in case you decide to disconnect one or more websites from your multi-site setup and transform them into standalone ones
For the second issue, the challenge lies in having to identify exactly which tables in the shared database each migrated website uses and then accurately replicating everything in a new, dedicated database.
Question #4: Does running a multi-site Drupal setup affect SEO?
No, running a multi-site Drupal setup does not affect SEO in any way. As far as search engine crawlers are concerned, each website connected to a single Drupal installation is a separate entity. It does not matter that they share the same settings and modules.
In fact, even if, for whatever reason, the websites also use a single shared database, it still would not have any impact on each website’s SEO.
If you want your website to rank in search engine results pages (SERPs), you should focus more on things such as:
- The quality of your content
- The relevance and value of your content to your target audience
- The keywords you use and how you use them
- The number of quality backlinks each website has
Alternatively, if you want to get in front of your target audience or customers more quickly, you can also explore paid ads. Most mainstream advertising platforms—such as Google Ads, Facebook Ads Manager, and LinkedIn Ads—provide you with powerful targeting and analytics tools that help you reach your ideal customers and continuously optimise your marketing campaigns for maximum ROI.