Drupal Multisite Installation & Functionality: Manage Multiple Sites with One Codebase

When to use Drupal multisite?

Explore cases when to use Drupal multisite, it is the ideal solution:

• You manage several brands, each with its own website effectively.
• You have regional offices or language versions with different structures.
• You want to centralize updates and security for all sites.
• You are looking to reduce infrastructure and deployment costs.
• You have a single Drupal development team that supports all sites.
• A multisite Drupal system makes all of this much easier.

Read more: The Impact of Open Source Software: How Drupal is Shaping the Web in 2025

Main advantages of Drupal Multisite

The multisite system in Drupal helps to save resources, quickly manage multiple websites, and easily manage all projects from one place. It is a convenient way to maintain several separate websites on a common basis without unnecessary hassle, which enables profit.

Resource saving

All sites run on a common Drupal core. That is, you do not duplicate the code each time, but simply create a new configuration for a new website. This significantly reduces the costs of hosting, support and infrastructure. Additionally, there is no need to hire a separate team for each site, as the same specialists can service all your projects simultaneously.

Sharing modules and themes

You install a module or theme once and can apply it to any of your sites. You do not need to repeat the same actions every time. This saves development time, reduces the risk of errors and provides a unified approach to functionality and design. It is especially convenient if you want to maintain the same interface or set of features on all company sites.

Centralized management

Instead of managing each site separately, you have a single control centre for the entire network. This simplifies control over updates, access rights, security, backups and DevOps processes. Everything is updated from a single source, which means stability, speed, and reduced human error.

Rapid launch of new sites

Do you need another site? You don’t need to start from scratch, but you can simply duplicate the structure and settings of an existing one. A new site can be deployed in a few minutes, even without involving a developer. This opens up new opportunities for experiments, seasonal campaigns or launching sites for new markets.

Unified user experience

When each site has the same design, logic and UX/UI approach, visitors feel a single system. This is important for brands that want to look professional and consistent. Your customer doesn’t get lost, even if they move between different sites in your ecosystem.

Domain & scalability

A multisite system is ready to grow with your business. Add new sites for new brands, countries, products or campaigns, all without major architectural changes. Drupal Multisite makes an easy to reach any business goals.

Security confidence

Security is one of the strongest points of multisite. You implement updates only once, and all sites receive the latest patches. This significantly reduces the risks of vulnerabilities and data leaks. Administration is also centralized, with control over domain access module, where rights are more transparent and can be managed.

Limitations and Challenges

The Drupal Multisite model has many advantages, but it is not without challenges. Before launching such an architecture, it is worth weighing the potential risks and complexities. This is especially important for large organizations with diverse needs. To avoid unpleasant surprises, you need to have a good understanding of how multisite works and anticipate future scaling scenarios. Proper planning and team experience are the key to stable operation. Let's consider the main challenges of a multisite configuration in standard Drupal.

One mistake can crush all structure

All sites run on the same code base. If an error appears in a module update or custom code, it can affect all connected sites. Therefore, it is important to implement rigorous testing and distinguish Dev/Stage/Prod environments. Drupal multisite allows completely separate sites under one Drupal installation. Each site has its own database and enabled features for easy website management.

Difficulty scaling with very different site requirements

If the sites differ greatly in design, logic, or use unique modules, multisite can be inconvenient. There is a need for customization, which makes centralized management difficult. It is important to mention that Drupal’s built-in management system makes it easy to share content across sites while keeping everything up to date with the latest security improvements.

Complicated CI/CD deployment

The process can be challenging without a proper DevOps approach, automating updates and deployments in Drupal Multisite. It is important to consider different environments, separate databases, and dependencies. Drupfan recommends setting up a clear CI/CD pipeline in advance.

Support for different languages, currencies, and time zones

If the sites are targeted at different countries, you need to consider localization, multilingualism, currency conversions, and time differences. This is possible, but often requires additional modules and configurations.

Read more: Short Guide to Essential Drupal 10 Modules

How Drupal Multisite Works

Drupal Multisite is an approach where one core Drupal code serves multiple domains simultaneously. Each site has its one database, separate files, and configuration, but they all “live” in a single codebase. This architecture allows you to centrally update the core, modules, and themes, while each site retains its independence. It is convenient, secure, and cost-effective, especially if you have dozens of sites under the same brand or in the same organization. Setting up a multisite may take a little more time, but in the end, it is many times compensated by simplified management.

One code base, multiple individual databases

All sites run on the same Drupal code, but each website has its own database. This means that content, users, and settings are all stored separately. This approach allows for isolating sites from each other without sacrificing the convenience of maintenance. Make sure your hosting provider supports the required PHP version, then upload your files and access the site via its URL.

File and configuration structure

Each site has its directory inside the sites/ folder, for example: sites/example.com or sites/fr.example.com. Site settings are specified in the settings.php file, and sites.php is responsible for binding the domain to the appropriate folder. This allows Drupal to understand which site the user is requesting and serve the appropriate version. Multisite is the ability to streamline site management and reuse custom modules across multiple websites.

Drupal installation hosting configuration

Multisites can be deployed using a single server, in cloud environments, or even in containers. The main thing is to correctly configure virtual hosts, file paths, and access rights. This ensures the stable and secure operation of the entire network of sites. Multisite functionality makes it easier to manage multiple websites from one place, but it has pros and cons. First steps require careful planning, since each site shares the base code, which can make updates time-consuming.

Integration with CI/CD and platforms

Drupal Multisite allows integration with CI/CD processes. This makes quick launch of new sites, update code, and deploy changes. Using templates, scripts, and centralized configurations, you can automate the creation of new instances. This is especially useful and easier to manage for large companies that are scaling or launching new projects under different brands. In Drupal multisite, some elements, such a default.settings.php can be shared across all sites, while other like themes and modules, can also be completely separate.

Drupfan's recommendations on how to manage multiple sites. Multisite setup.

Before launching a multi-site Drupal system, it is important to prepare thoroughly to avoid common mistakes and ensure the stable operation of the network of sites. Multi-site architecture provides several advantages, but requires clear planning and understanding of key points. Determining common and unique elements for each site will help optimize setup and management. Multisite setup may be challenging. You should also assess the team's resources to make sure that its capabilities are sufficient to support and develop the project. It is important to think through the update, testing and backup processes to reduce the risks when making changes. Without a properly organized backend strategy and DevOps, scaling and maintaining the network can be a challenge. Below are key recommendations that will help you successfully launch and maintain a multi-site Drupal system.

Clearly define what should be common and what should be unique

Before starting the settings, it is important to understand which modules, themes and settings will be common to all sites and which will be unique to each. This will help you correctly plan the structure of the multi-site system and avoid unnecessary difficulties in the future.

Assess your team’s resource capabilities

Managing a multisite requires appropriate skills and time. It is worth assessing whether your team has enough specialists to maintain, update and test multiple sites simultaneously.

Update planning and testing

Updates to core, modules and themes should be thoroughly tested on all sites in the network to avoid errors and failures. Consider automated testing and backup processes.

Think about your backend strategy and DevOps approach

To develop an effective process for deploying changes, monitoring and security for the entire multisite system is important. There should be supported centralized management by a reliable backend and DevOps tools.

Read more: Understanding Drupal Layout Builder

Ready to scale? Drupfan will help with Drupal Multisite

Drupfan delivers reliable Drupal support. Drupal Multisite is an effective solution for clients that want to centrally manage multiple sites with a single database, design, and technical base. It allows for saving resources, quickly launching new projects, reusing modules and themes, and also significantly simplifies maintenance. However, for the system to work stably and securely, it requires competent planning, a clear architecture, and a thoughtful approach to updates and DevOps processes.

Drupfan will help you go through all stages from analysis and strategic planning to deployment and support of a Drupal multisite system. If you are looking for a reliable technical partner to implement or optimize Drupal Multisite, our team is ready to connect and implement a Drupal Multisite solution that works for you.