A Guide on Multi-Site Management Using Headless CMS

You are here because you are struggling with multi-site management. Or maybe you are constantly updating content in different places or handling multiple brands!

We get it…managing multiple websites might feel like a never-ending balancing act, especially if you don’t have the right system in place…

Now, traditional CMS might offer you a way out, but managing multiple sites with it can quickly become a challenge. 

That’s where multi-site management with a headless CMS shows us a better way!

How does it make managing multiple sites effortless? 

We’ll walk you through with all the details in this blog and explore how a headless CMS development company can help you seamlessly manage multiple sites easily through a single, unified dashboard!

Let’s get started. 

What is Multi-Site Management?

\Multi-site management is the ability to create, manage, make, monitor, and manipulate multiple websites from a single, user-friendly platform. 

Therefore, instead of juggling between multiple content management systems (CMS), backends and databases, you get a single multi-site content management system that makes managing everything easier. 

Apart from being a user-friendly platform, it also offers your websites the following:

• Ease of accessibility from different devices 

• Speed

• Quick response

• Effortless workflows, and more

Think of it like managing a retail chain with multiple locations. Instead of updating each store’s website, you use a multi-site CMS to update all the websites at once while making location-specific customizations. 

How Can Business Benefit from Multi-Site CMS?

Unlike traditional CMS, where each of your websites runs separately and requires unique attention, a CMS with multi-domain management allows you to manage everything from one dashboard. 

Why should you love it? (Trust us, once you try it you won’t return to the traditional way.)

What are the Features of Multi-Site Management?

With almost half of businesses using multiple CMS platforms, switching to a multi-site CMS can save you time, reduce the work complexity and improve your overall operations. Plus, it offers features such as:

1. Scalability  

Enterprise multi-site CMS solutions offer flexibility and scalability. It eliminates the need to duplicate efforts by allowing you to deploy multiple sites from a single dashboard. What does this mean?

Using a headless CMS multi-site management system, you get to launch new product pages, localize content for different regions and even manage multiple brands all under one umbrella. 

2. Stability 

With a common codebase for different websites, you can minimize inconsistencies and avoid errors across different platforms. 

Plus, instead of fixing the same issue on multiple sites, you can make updates in one place that apply everywhere. This means fewer errors, better security and seamless content updates across all your digital assets!

3. Speed 

A CMS for multi-domain management reduces the time you spend managing multiple sites individually by centralizing all the operations. Thus a headless CMS accelerates your workflow and ensures a faster time to market. 

Additionally, a multi-site content management system includes features like cross-site searches and multi-language support. The platform also includes the ability to easily duplicate or clone site structures. 

These capabilities improve and enhance the efficiency of your digital operations. How? Let’s have a look at it in more detail in the next section!

How Can a Headless CMS Platform Help You With Multi-Site Management?

Imagine managing multiple websites right now. Let’s say, two? Five? Or even more? Think about an e-commerce store with different product pages or enterprise websites with multiple service and support pages. All of these require consistent branding and management across different locations. 

And how can you manage these websites? You’ll need a separate login, platform and dashboard for each one, right? That sounds exhausting!

However, with a headless CMS, multi-site management is a breeze (or can be a breeze!). You don’t have to worry about all this. 

Everything you need is in one place! One system, one login, one dashboard. 

Here’s how it makes your life easier.

1. Centralized Command Center

The best part about a headless CMS multi-site management system is that it is completely managed centrally. 

It’s a mess managing multiple websites and having to log in and out every time on different systems just to update a blog or tweak a design. 

What does this mean?

• Your writers/ marketers can update content freely without touching the code

• Developers and designers can maintain your websites without disruptions

Therefore, a headless CMS allows you to create, edit, publish and manage everything else from one dashboard, saving you a lot of time and complexity. 

2. Seamless Collaboration Between Creators and Developers

Not everyone in your team is a developer, right? And that shouldn’t be a problem if they aren’t. 

Traditional CMS platforms often cause friction between developers and creators. A centralized content management with headless CMS comes with a collaborative and structured approach that both teams can work with. 

That means creators can focus on writing and making content while developers can focus on building and maintaining the front-end without disruptions.

3. Ease-of-Use

A multiple site content management system provides intuitive tools and features, such as drag-and-drop editing and role-based permissions that require no code. That means marketers, content creators, managers, editors and developers are on the same page!

4. Better SEO Tools for Multi-Site Visibility Problems

Managing SEO across multiple sites is a common challenge. A headless CMS for enterprise website management offers you the opportunity to convert leads quickly through several websites. 

How does it help? Headless CMS empowers you through:

• Structured Content Management: So that search engines can easily understand your pages.

• Automated Handling of Metadata: No manual updates of meta tags or descriptions.

• Schema Markup Support: Makes it easier for search engines to better understand and index your website for greater online visibility.

• Integration with Analytics Tools: Let’s you track your sales, marketing, and other performance metrics across multiple sites. 

Thus, headless CMS development helps you boost visibility, improve rankings, and optimize your content strategy. 

5. Omnichannel Content Distribution from One Source

Businesses these days are not just about websites. Your content may need to be deployed across various channels. This means reusing content across mobile applications, social media platforms and third-party websites.

All these channels need constant updates. That’s where omnichannel content management comes in!

A multiple site CMS pushes and enables multi-channel publishing from a single content repository.  A headless CMS, thus updates your content across multiple channels at once from a single source. This guarantees content consistency across different digital touchpoints. 

A headless CMS saves time, improves collaboration and keeps things running smoothly. Whether you are a company with different product lines or a global brand with different regional sites, a multi-site CMS makes scaling your digital presence easier.

So, how exactly can you choose the right headless CMS platform to manage multiple websites? Which platform best suits your needs? 

Let’s find out.

Which is the best Headless CMS Platform for Multi-Site Management?

Selecting the best headless CMS development platform depends on various factors. We recommend that you consider requirements, such as ease of use, scalability, and API capabilities before zeroing in on a platform.

We have the top five contenders listed below for your consideration. Here’s how they stack up:

Strapi - An Open-source Headless CMS

Strapi is an open-source headless CMS that helps you manage and distribute your content across multiple platforms freely. 

Built with JavaScript with the latest CMS core stack, database and other tools, Strapi provides you with complete flexibility and customization options that you can tailor to your specific business needs. 

Strapi adapts to your unique business needs by offering you a highly customizable content structure. That means you can define your own content types with ease. Moreover, its powerful API lets you connect to any frontend such as websites or mobile apps. 

Furthermore, with role-based access control and a user-friendly interface, your teams can manage permissions securely without really needing to be developers. 

Pros:

• Open-source platform

• Customizable 

• Developer friendly

Cons:

• Initial setup can be complex (Has a learning curve.)

• Users should manage their own hosting environment. 

G2 Rating: 4.6 out of 5 (186 Reviews)

Pricing: Free forever (Hosted on your own servers)

A Strapi development company can help you deliver content freely across multiple platforms, when you need it, and how you need it!

Kontent.AI -A Cloud-Based Headless CMS

Kontent.AI is a platform that helps you consolidate your content for multiple websites and channels. It helps you create, govern and reuse content to engage with your customers across various brands and regions. 

Whether you need content for blogs, product pages or something unique, Kontent.AI makes content management flexible, smooth and scalable. 

Plus, it is built with an API-first approach and Omni channel support, connecting seamlessly with any tech stack. Thus, you can publish your content across websites, mobile apps and other platforms. 

Pros:

• Flexible 

• User-friendly

• Simple and intuitive user interface

• Offers strong customer support 

Cons: 

• It could be pricey for small businesses or startups.

G2 Rating: 4.3 out of 5 (170 Reviews)

Pricing: Transparent, flexible pricing based on enterprise needs. 

Prismic - Content Management Simplified

Prismic is a headless solution that helps developers build modern websites fast using their favorite tech stack. It offers the flexibility to create rich digital experiences and empowers marketers to launch on-brand website pages independently. 

It also helps you plan and automate your content release. You can schedule updates in advance and let them go live without manual interference. Moreover, the platform supports multiple languages, helping you reach a global audience. 

One of the most unique features of Prismic is its Slice Library that lets you reuse design components across multiple projects, keeping your brand voice consistent throughout.

Pros:

• User-friendly interface

• Adaptable to various project needs

• Quick deployment

Cons:

• Limited customization options 

G2 Rating: 4.3 out of 5 (301 Reviews)

Pricing: (Per month/ Per Repository / Paid Annually) 

• Medium: For teams scaling their content: $150

• Platinum: For companies adding features: $675

• Enterprise: For advanced security and support: Custom Plans

Prismic is free for developers building their personal websites. A free trial plan for Prismic is also available. Moreover, a Prismic development company can help you manage and deliver content effortlessly and with the flexibility you want. 

Contentful - A Developer-Friendly Headless CMS

Contentful is a headless CMS that helps you create, manage and distribute content across various platforms or channels. It supports API-first architecture that helps you scale your content effortlessly and provides flexibility. Moreover, Contentful integrates seamlessly with your favorite tools and services.

Pros:

• Flexible

• Ease of use 

• Scalable 

• Developer Friendly

Cons:

• Requires technical support for setup and management

G2 Rating: 4.2 out of 5 (306 Reviews)

Pricing: Contentful is free for learning and exploring. However, if you are a smaller business managing a single project, it will cost you $300 a month. You can contact the sales team for more advanced security and reliability. 

Sanity - A Structured Content Platform

Sanity is a flexible, customizable, modern headless CMS with real-time collaboration features and an adaptable content studio. The platform, which supports both SQL and GraphQL, caters to both developers and creators, providing customizable editing experiences and content management. 

With a customizable, all-code backend, you have complete control over your content and can shape it exactly how you want. 

It’s React-based CMS and content-optimized database provides a modern developer-friendly experience for dynamic interfaces while your data stays structured all the time. 

Pros: 

• Easy to use 

• Scalable 

• Customizable 

• Secure cloud infrastructure

Cons:

• It has a learning curve. 

G2 Rating: 4.7 out of 5 (896 Reviews)

Pricing: Free sign up for up to 20 user seats (for individuals experimenting with smaller projects.) Plus, it costs $15 per seat per month for teams with scaling projects and increasing collaboration needs. 

In order to manage multiple sites, we suggest choosing a headless CMS that suits your current business priorities and long-term organizational content infrastructure objectives. 

Consider asking yourself, is the platform scalable? How easily can you localize content using it? How secure is it? Evaluate similar questions before finalizing a potential match.

If you need help, you can also consider working with a Sanity CMS development agency team.

Simplify Your Multi-Site Management Efforts with Pioneering CMS Development Services

Managing multiple websites and pages does not have to be a headache. As we’ve seen, with the right headless CMS you can streamline content management seamlessly across all your digital touchpoints.

So, how do you get started? 

We recommend investing in enterprise content management consulting. 

At Green Apex we’ve had a lot of success helping enterprises across a diverse range of industries build secure multi-site ecosystems. 

Connect with us and discover how we make multi-site management simple with tailored CMS solutions. 

Reach out today, to build something that works for you.