How to Set Up a Multi-Site WordPress Hosting Plan
If you’re looking to host multiple sites on a single web host, you’ve probably considered the popular WordPress platform. With a free version and a paid premium version, WordPress is incredibly flexible and offers a wealth of features to create any kind of website you might want. If you’re looking for a solution that won’t break the bank, WordPress is the ideal choice.
However, if you’re new to web hosting or simply looking to host a few sites for personal use, setting up a WordPress-based multi-site hosting plan might not be the best option. In fact, it can be rather complex to set up and requires a bit of a learning curve.
Fortunately, as web hosts often offer more than one service, there’s usually more than one way to set up a WordPress host. In this article, we’ll cover five tips that will help you develop a solid foundation for your WordPress-based multi-site platform, so you can launch your sites confidently and efficiently, without worrying about server maintenance or downtime.
1. Choose A Hosting Service That Is Genuinely Reliable
It’s crucial to find a web host that you can depend on for exceptional service. After all, if your sites go down frequently, or if your emails are often blocked by servers due to overuse, you’ll have to rebuild your audience and establish credibility all over again. Fortunately, the vast majority of web hosts these days are reliable services that are committed to guaranteeing excellent uptime for their customers. So if you’re serious about creating a successful blog, look for a host that offers a money-back guarantee if you encounter any downtime. Additionally, look for dedicated support if you encounter any technical issues. Many hosts offer self-managed WordPress installs, so if you’re comfortable fixing web servers on your own, you can do so without having to call for assistance. However, if you’re not comfortable doing so, it’s usually a good idea to choose a hosted WordPress service that provides highly-trained support personnel willing to assist you in any way they can.
2. Consider The Security Of Your Websites
It’s one thing to have a site, it’s quite another to make it available to the entire world. When you have multiple sites hosted on the same server, there’s always a chance that one site could be compromised by hackers. This is why it’s important to consider the security of your sites when choosing a web host. There are multiple ways that hackers could exploit your WordPress-based multi-site, from simply stealing information to hacking into the WordPress account and completely taking over your site. So it’s important to be mindful of where you host your sites and who you allow to have access to them. The best way to do this is by using strong passwords and encryption whenever possible. Additionally, make sure to regularly update your WordPress installation with the most recent security patches, as well as change your passwords once per year.
3. Choose A Host That Suits Your Needs
When choosing a web host, it’s important to consider the type of sites you’ll be creating and whether you’ll be needing a dedicated IP address or a shared IP. If you’re just getting started and don’t have any previous experience with web hosting, it’s usually a good idea to choose a shared hosting plan, as they’re much simpler to set up and manage. If you want to create a portfolio of professional sites that you can sell, consider choosing a VPS (Virtual Private Server) plan, as they are significantly more expensive but offer more flexibility. Additionally, look for a web host that is located in a secure data center, as this will certainly improve your privacy and reliability.
4. Decide Whether You’ll Use Free Or Paid Subscriptions
One of the most prominent differences between the two most popular WordPress hosting plans is how they charge you for subscriptions. Typically, the free version of WordPress will ask you to log in at least once per day to keep your account active. However, if you’re looking for a premium experience, you’ll have to pay for the privilege, sometimes as much as $2.95 per day. The great thing about this option is that you can start with a free version of WordPress and then upgrade later on to a premium account, if you’re so inclined. If you’re looking for a cost-effective solution, it’s usually a good idea to go with the free version and then upgrade at a later date, rather than pay upfront for a premium plan. This way, you’ll only incur the costs associated with running a WordPress site at that time.
5. Research Reliable Methods To Generate Income
There’s no question that running a successful blog is a great way to make money online. However, not all forms of online income are created equal, and it’s important to understand the various methods that can be used to generate revenue. If you’re looking for a passive income portfolio, you can always opt for affiliate marketing, as you’ll be promoting other companies’ products and earning a commission when someone clicks a link or makes a purchase. In the same manner, you can also choose to become a real estate agent and help people with their home purchasing decisions, or you can start a business selling your photos for scrapbooks and card boxes, or become a transcriptionist and earn money listening to audio files. Additionally, if you’re tech-savvy and passionate about software development, you can choose to build your own apps and/or automate business processes using tools like Zapier and IFTTT (If This Then That). Finally, if you have a sizable audience and can build trust with your readers, you can choose to become a brand ambassador and earn commissions from product sales you make during sponsored blog posts or social media posts. There’s truly a wealth of opportunities available online, so find a way to earn money and be confident that it’ll be worth your while.