When it comes to running multiple websites, there is nothing better than the WordPress Multisite network. It allows you to create numerous websites using the same backend without worrying about the hassles of maintaining and updating multiple websites. However, you can also use the MainWP plugin to manage multiple WordPress sites simultaneously.
The most important WordPress Multisite hosting requirement is a cloud provider that can handle everything for you. That’s where Google Cloud (GC) comes in with its WordPress hosting.
Google Cloud for WordPress Multisite Hosting
One major reason to move WordPress to Google Cloud is its powerful set of features that ensure that the WordPress Multisite network can operate regardless of the load on the subsites. In the last year alone, the number of sites hosted on Google Cloud has risen by 10x.
However, installing WordPress Multisite on Google Cloud is a hectic process. Unless you have the expert system administration skills needed to operate the Google Cloud Console, it is better to use a managed cloud hosting platform that can handle it for you.
​​​​
Why Choose Cloudways for Multisite Hosting?
Cloudways offers a one-click solution for hosting WordPress Multisite on Google Cloud. The process is very simple and usually over within minutes. Here are three great benefits that Cloudways offers to all users:
Free Migration
Get one Cloudways-managed migration of your WordPress site completely free. You can also use the Cloudways Migrator Plugin to migrate as many WordPress websites as you want later on
High-End Security
Cloudways handles all server-level security issues, so you do not have to worry about attacks and exploits on your servers. Moreover, in case of unusual activity, it automatically notifies you through CloudwaysBot and restricts access to the website.
Do remember that while securing your server is important, it is also crucial to secure your WordPress Multisite as well.
Improved Page Speed
Cloudways offers a custom stack comprising NGINX, Apache, Varnish, Redis, PHP-FPM, and more advanced technologies that optimize the underlying hosting for WordPress-powered websites. In addition, Cloudways offers Breeze, an efficient WordPress cache plugin that further increases the performance of WordPress Multisite.
Also, don’t forget the 13 ways to boost your WordPress Site.
Do you want to experience one-click WordPress Multisite hosting on Google Cloud with Cloudways? Explore our web hosting pricing calculator for personalized hosting based on your traffic.
WordPress Multisite Network: Pros and Cons
Look into whether the WordPress Multisite network installation will serve your purpose. For example, web administrators are looking to host multiple websites hosted on different domains with WordPress, and WPMU comes with their support.
A WordPress multisite will easily manage all your subsites through a single user interface. These subsites are all connected inside a WordPress-based network and controlled through the dashboard, without any separate directories on the server. That’s why it is essential to understand when to use WordPress Multisite for your projects.
Pros
- Control and manage multiple subsites through a single dashboard
- Maintain the subsites with ease and grant controls to other users from a single interface
- Maintain access control of themes and plugins installation on subsites
- Simplified WordPress multisite network
Cons
- If the main site goes offline, all connected subsites will become inaccessible.
- WordPress Multisite doesn’t support all plugins.
Coming back to the installation process…
Install WordPress Multisite on Google Cloud
I’ve discussed the benefits and drawbacks of WordPress Multisites, and now it’s time to explore the installation process. With some simple steps, you’ll be able to install your WordPress Multisite on Google Cloud.
- Step 1: Sign up for Cloudways Platform
- Step 2: Activate Your Cloudways Account
- Step 3: Get Started With Cloudways
- Step 4: Enter Required Details
- Step 5: Select Google Cloud
- Step 6: Scaling Your Server
- Step 7: Select Server Location
- Step 8: Note Your Server Prices
- Step 9: Launch The Server
- Step 10: Access Your WordPress Multisite Application
Step 1: Sign up for Cloudways Platform
Create an account on Cloudways by clicking the Signup button [You don’t even need a credit card to get the trial]. You can also signup through Linkedin, Google, and GitHub.
Step 2: Activate Your Cloudways Account
You must verify your email address and complete the signup process to start.
Step 3: Get Started With Cloudways
After activating your Cloudways account, you will see a welcome note with the Let’s Get Started button, and once done, you will see a screen with the Launch button. Click it to start the server launching process.
Step 4: Enter Required Details
Now, fill in the necessary details to start the server.
On the Application and Server Details page,
- Select Multisite Version x.x.x under the Application & Server Details tab
- Add App name
- Add Server name
- Add Project type
Step 5: Select Google Cloud
Select Google Cloud Platform’s web hosting from the pool of cloud hosts available.
Step 6: Scaling Your Server
Now set the Server Size, Bandwidth, Storage, and Database according to your needs.
Step 7: Select Server Location
I have used the lowest bandwidth and storage size for this installation tutorial and Iowa, USA is my location. You can set the location as per your needs. Remember, selecting a location near your targeted audience means improved website speeds.
Step 8: Note Your Server Prices
The total price of your selected server parameters will be shown in the bottom-right corner of the screen. Remember, our prices are based on the pay-as-you-go model, so you only pay for the services used.
Step 9: Launch The Server
Now, click the Launch Button button from the bottom left corner of the screen. Your server will be ready shortly.
Wait for the server to get ready…
Step 10: Access Your WordPress Multisite Application
Once the server is ready, click on the Application link from the top left menu bar. You will be redirected to the applications page, where you can select your installed WordPress Multisite application.
Under the Application Management section, click the Access Details tab. Here you can see the WordPress Multisite Admin Panel details. Use these credentials to access the Dashboard of the WordPress multisite staging site.
Use the URL to open the WordPress admin panel. You’ll be prompted for the username and password. Copy the credentials from the Admin Panel menu.
That’s how you install WordPress Multisite on Google Cloud Server. Now point your domain and add SSL certificates to the WordPress Multisite network.
After installing a WordPress website on the Google Cloud Platform, you will have to configure it through the dashboard. Read our detailed blog on how to set up a WordPress Multisite in seconds.
Summary
WordPress Multisite is a great tool to manage multiple WordPress sites through a single dashboard, and it can be installed on any hosting platform. But where Google Cloud helps you is in the optimization process. As the network grows, a lot of traffic coming to your subsites will indirectly impact the overall server and slow it down for more users. The Google cloud server is a highly optimized platform to cater to this situation. It resolves this issue by ensuring complete storage flexibility and robust performance without having you worry about bandwidth.
Note: GCE provides one-click server scaling for easy management of resources.
Have any questions in mind on hosting WordPress Multisite on Google Cloud? Let us know in the comments below. You can also read Google’s Cloudways Case study to learn more about us
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How do I install WordPress multisite on Google Cloud?
By using 10 simple steps, you can install your WordPress Multisite on Google Cloud. Read the installation steps above in this article.
Q. Can I run WordPress on Google Cloud?
Yes! You can easily host and run your WordPress site on Google Cloud Servers
Q. Is Google Cloud good for WordPress?
A. Yes, Google Cloud offers a wide variety of highly optimized servers and can easily handle high traffic.
Sarim Javaid
Sarim Javaid is a Digital Content Producer at Cloudways. He has a habit of penning down his random thoughts and giving words and meaning to the clutter of ideas colliding inside his mind. His obsession with Google and his curious mind add to his research-based writing. Other than that, he's a music and art admirer and an overly-excited person.