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How to Build a Hosting Business With WordPress Multisite

Here at WPMU DEV we’re huge fans of WordPress Multisite.We use it to power our network of educational blogs (Edublogs), as well as CampusPress which designs and hosts websites for schools and universities.

I chose to open with this sentiment because it’s proof that using Multisite can be a great way to support a successful WordPress business.

In a nutshell Multisite allows you or your clients to add as many websites as you need to one WordPress installation.

It also makes managing all of those sites a lot easier, and it’s far cheaper than having to create a whole bunch of separate installations.

Edublogs is a prefect example of a multisite
Edublogs hosts millions of sites on one WordPress Multisite installation.

But before you jump into launching a business powered by Multisite, you’ll probably want to know what your options are.

In this post we’ll be talking about three common models you can use to build your own hosting business on WordPress Multisite.

I’ll also provide you with some practical tips for making your Multisite business a roaring success – along with some must-have plugins that’ll make the process even easier.

So without further ado, let’s jump into it!

3 Proven Ways To Build A Successful WordPress Multisite Hosting Business

First let’s go over three common models for running a WordPress Multisite business – all with their own pros and cons and varying degrees of success.

You may also discover there are elements of each that work better for you or your business. And you may even choose to combine multiple strategies.

But in order for you to know what’s best, first you need to understand your options a little better…

So let’s break down each option one by one:

1. Host The Client Sites You Build

If you’ve been building WordPress websites for a decent amount of time you’ve probably noticed a few things when it comes to dealing with clients.

See if any of these scenarios sound familiar:

…Your clients never access their hosting admin screens and prefer you to do it instead.

…Your clients hardly ever make changes to their site configuration, and many don’t update their content… they also hire you to do this instead.

Now Imagine this…

You install a core set of plugins on every site and have to make sure to keep them updated regularly.

You also develop your own framework and use a child theme for each site. This way you can keep the framework up to date on every site.

The only problem is…

Every time WordPress updates you have to go through and update every site, one by one – which becomes even more time consuming as your client base grows larger.

As you can imagine, this kind of business model isn’t particularly efficient…

And could be vastly improved if you were to switch to using Multisite to host client websites.

More specifically, hosting the client sites you build with Multisite could work great for you if you own an agency, or your business manages client websites.

The idea being that your company might develop multiple websites for clients and then host those sites on your own WordPress Multisite installation.

You build the sites… develop and customize the themes and plugins… you might even use a theme framework.

You’ll also find that this option makes life much easier…

For example, time consuming tasks like managing updates and maintaining themes and plugins will only take a fraction of the time.

You can then use the added time to work with your clients and do what you do best. It’s also more beneficial for your clients as they don’t have a hosting provider to deal with.

*Pro tip: If you decide to try out this option, it helps if your sites have some code in common. For example, a shared parent theme (or theme framework) and a set of shared plugins.

This will help limit the number of themes and plugins you’ll have to maintain.

2.Let Users Create And Adjust Their Site

This second option entails you creating a page which users can use to set up their own site. You can also give them various options for adjusting their site’s content and appearance.

Using the customizer is a vital part of this approach.

It also helps if you can add your own customization options to your theme (or themes).

Overall, this option allows your users to have more control over their site, but still limits the number of themes and plugins you have to host on your network.

*Pro tip: To make it easier for users to adjust their site, try using Integrated Video Tutorials. This simple plugin enables you to add WordPress video tutorials that help onboard your new users.

You Can Allow Your Users To Adjust Their Sites In A Couple Of Different Ways:

1.Using The Customizer

This is what many developers prefer.

Adding advanced customizer integration allows your users to do things like upload their logos, add content to their header and footer, and change the colors and layout of their website. And they can do all of this without having to install a new theme.

Let your users customize their sites using the customizer
Your clients can use the Customizer to tweak their sites.

To do this you can either add Customizer integration to your theme, or through a plugin to keep things separate.

2.Using “Child Themes”

You can install a parent theme on your network that controls aspects of the site design, along with child themes that add custom colors, fonts, and layouts.

This achieves the same outcome as using the Customizer and gives your users a “menu” of themes they can choose from, rather than being able to make their own adjustments.

Users have less control, but it helps to keep the design of the sites on your network consistent

If you wish you can also use a combination of these two options.

For example, you might give your users a few child themes with different layouts to choose from, and then use the Customizer to allow them to tweak the colors and fonts etc.

This is beneficial as it gives users a simple way to create and configure their website – even if they’ve never done it before.

Through the Customizer they can see exactly what changes they’re making, and by limiting their options you’re also ensuring design quality and consistency for all of the sites in your network.

This option can also work well in markets or niches where customers have smaller budgets and aren’t all that tech savvy (freelance writers for example).

If you want an example, you’ll find that many Edupress businesses work in this way, there will be one theme that users can use to adjust using the Customizer, and a range of site plans with various content types.

3.Let Users Create Their Site And Activate Themes And Plugins

WPMU DEV’s Edublogs network operates in the same fashion as this third option.

You see, a free Edublogs site lets you choose from hundreds of themes and plugins, and this only compounds for premium users.

The site also has over three million users, so as you can imagine this kind of flexibility is super important. We’re talking about millions of different blogs that all have their own feel and look.

A look at some of the Edublogs plugins
Edublogs includes hundreds of plugins.

This third option also gives users the type of experience they would have if they were to install WordPress using their own hosting provider – only without the hassle of arranging hosting and handling the installation.

You can select how many themes and plugins your users can access and you can also choose where you get them from. As well as this, you can offer free themes and plugins, along with premium options on various pricing plans.

This option gives users more control, but it’s less suited to users who don’t know what they’re doing and would rather have you do it. However, as mentioned earlier using Integrated Video tutorials can be a great way to fix this problem.

To Sum Up These Three Multisite Business Options…

You’ll notice that they all give your clients or users varying levels of control.

Option one gives them no control over their sites configuration, they can just simply add content. Option two allows users a little more control, and option three gives them almost the same amount of control as if they had created their own WP installation from scratch.

Because of this, the fees you choose to charge your clients for each will vary.

Obviously the first option will be cheaper and the third will be more expensive, as it requires a lot more development work when it comes to your network and your client’s sites.

If you choose option one just be aware that you will need more clients, and if you go with option three you’ll have to invest more time in each of them.

How To Decide Which Option Is Best For You

So now that you know three of the best options available to you when it comes to using Multisite to build a WordPress hosting business.

It’s time to choose which one best suits your personal needs.

To help with your choice, try asking yourself the following questions:

How Often Are You In Contact With Clients?

Some businesses will work closely with clients helping them to build their online presence, however, others will simply act as a service provider and have little interaction with customers.

If you’re more likely to have close links with clients, option one is probably the way to go – otherwise two and three are better for minimal client interaction.

Just be aware that even if you choose the second or third options, it’s not a good idea to “hide” from your clients.

Yes, they will have questions and problems, and yes, you should probably help fix them more often than not.

This also means it’s a good idea to set up some sort of support system that users can use to contact you if they need support.

(There are plenty of support plugins that can help with this, one of which we feature below)

This might be a support system directly on the site, or through email or phone support.

In general, it’s recommended that you have a support system either in the front end or back end (or both!) of your website. This will help you keep things organized so you don’t lose track of who’s requested support.

Is Your Market / Niche Well Defined?

Let me preface this section by saying if you work with a small number of clients – hosting their sites which you’ve also developed…

It doesn’t really matter what market you’re currently in.

While some choose to focus on one particular market or sector, others have a range of different and unique clients.

However, if you’re looking to adopt a more hands-off approach that requires clients to locate your site and handle the set up themselves, then it’s important that you make your offering/marketing well defined. And it’s important to aim at a market that you know inside out.

You don’t have to try to be the next WordPress…

Carving out your own niche is more practical and realistic.

Nest yourself in a market you understand deeply and develop a solution that meets the market’s needs and problems. Once you’ve done that you’ll be able to better focus your marketing efforts.

Is There a Big Enough Market For What You’re Offering

This is when you have to be very honest and realistic with yourself.

If you’ve done your research and it shows that you’re filling a niche for that market, then a more hands-off approach (options two and three) will allow you to take on more clients.

Also, if you’re unsure as to the size of the market, you could try adopting multiple options at once.

For example, your business might offer both option one and option two – meaning that clients have a fully branded site using the Customizer, or if they wish to pay for development hours they can have a completely bespoke site.

Edublogs and CampusPress work much in this way, and they both run off the same Multisite installation.

Edublog customers have the choice of choosing and customizing themes and plugins of their site by themselves, essentially doing all of the heavy lifting.

CampusPress clients on the other hand have a bespoke site developed for them, which they can then manage and update using the same admin system.

Do You Have Development Skills?

If you already have experience developing bespoke websites then you’re more likely to have success with option one, as opposed to someone with no coding skills whatsoever.

And if all you’re offering is third party themes and plugins (even if they are premium themes and plugins) then you’re not really adding much value for your clients by charging them for setting up their site and installing the themes and plugins.

This isn’t to say that there isn’t a market for this kind of approach, but in general, the market seems to favor developers who can build bespoke sites themselves.

Therefore if your business offers users access to code you’ll be purchasing from another provider, the main benefit you’re providing is ease of use.

In this case options two and three are more likely to suit you.

Do You Have Selling Chops?

The more hands-off your approach is, the less you’ll be able to charge. The less you charge, the more clients you’ll need. Which means selling to more people.

Some people are happy selling a bespoke service to clients they can build a relationship with.

They don’t have to go out and find clients as they get enough work through word of mouth. Which also means they don’t have to engage in as much sales or marketing, something that many of us don’t enjoy.

For those kinds of people option one will be more successful.

A lot of times you’ll find that people simply lack the skills or inclination to spend time chasing new clients and closing deals.

However, if you do possess these kind of skills, or if you can hire someone to do it for you, then your efforts are going to be put into getting as much clients and making as much money as possible – as opposed to servicing individual clients.

If that is the case, a more hands-off model would be more appropriate.

But Hey, Maybe You Really Enjoy Working With Clients…

If you’re not a fan of working closely with clients and helping them grow their online presence over a long period of time (rather than building a website, never to be seen again), then option one probably isn’t gonna work for you.

On the other hand, if you enjoy watching your clients’ businesses flourish, and you feel a sense of pride knowing that you contributed to this… and if you also enjoy creating relationships with your clients, then a hands-on approach servicing a smaller number of clients will be your go-to.

Whichever option you choose… just remember that it’s more likely to be successful if you actually enjoy it and your motivated to undertake it each day.

Plugins To Make Your Multisite Life Easier:

…You’ve decided which option (or options) are best suited to you.

…You’ve considered how the model fits with your skills and preferences.

And you know what marketing you’re targeting.

Now it’s time to make your journey to a Multisite business a little easier.

There are a number of plugins that can make the process easier, both with the installation and helping you to establish a successful hosting business.

Some are free, some aren’t, and a few are our own creations.

Here are a few plugins we recommend for hosting a business built with Multisite:

WP Ultimo

If you’re running a network that allows your clients to tweak or create their own sites, then WP Ultimo can make things a lot easier.

WP Ultimo is the ultimate tool you need to create and manage your network of websites on Multisite.

This premium plugin allows you to create unlimited plans, coupon codes and it allows you to easily manage your network subscriptions.

You can use WP Ultimo to offer your users premium services. Set this alongside a free option for your basic features and you’ve got a great business model.

Branda

Screenshot of Branda from wordpress.org

It’s important to ensure your hosting provision looks clean and professional.

Branda makes it easy for you to achieve this.

This handy plugin enables you to brand your login screens, along with as many aspects of your admin screens as you want. It can also help you add branding to many aspects of your front end.

By using this plugin you can make sure your Multisite installation stands out from other ‘boring’ installs. It’ll also make your clients feel as though they’re getting something unique for their money, something with added value.

Want to learn more about Branda? Check out this great breakdown of the plugin.

Awesome Support

Awesome Support is a great plugin to use to allow your users to reach out if they need assistance

It doesn’t matter which option you choose, you’re going to need a way to help and support your clients and customers.

Awesome Support is an open-source WordPress help desk plugin that offers features such as a ticketing system, email notifications, restricted access, and more.

You can also extend this Awesome Support’s features by using paid add-ons, however, the basic plugin is free.

More Plugins For Added Performance And Robustness

 

The superheroes of WPMU DEV have got your back when it comes to multisite installs
WPMU DEV’s range of plugins are here to make your Multisite life easier!

There’s no doubt that the plugins above a fantastic for creating a Multisite-based business or solution.

But it’s also a good idea to compliment these plugins with others for performance and security.

Like Snapshot Pro for creating backups, Hummingbird for performance optimization, SmartCrawl for all of your SEO needs, and Defender for air tight security.

Also make sure that you install these plugins so that you client’s sites will be easily found by the search engines, will perform at their peak, and won’t be at risk of security attacks or downtime.

WordPress Multisite Is The Ideal Solution For A Web Hosting Business

If you’re looking to make money hosting websites, whether it’s sites you’ve developed for your clients or sites they can customize on their own, then WordPress Multisite can help you achieve this smoothly and with little stress.

After all, offering a more streamlined approach to managing your hosting is only going to make you more efficient and therefore maximize your profits.

You’ll also make life a lot easier for your clients which will ensure they stay loyal and they’ll be more likely to give you referrals.

Combine this with the right plugins and you’ll be providing clients with everything they need to run a secure and effective website.

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How to Turn Off WordPress Comments for Good

For some of the websites you create, comments are completely unnecessary. Sometimes it’s a matter of not wanting people to comment on your pages.

Posts are fine, but why does WordPress even think that pages would need comments? Then there’s the fact that some comments present a security risk if they contain suspicious links that visitors unknowingly click on.

So, let’s keep this short and sweet. You want to get rid of comment functionality on your WordPress site? Here’s how to do it.

8 Ways to Disable Comments in WordPress

There are different reasons why you’d want to disable comments in WordPress and not every reason is going to lead you to the same solution. So, whether you want to disable comments for certain posts, disable comments on all pages, create tighter controls over who can comment, or just get rid of that pesky comment spam, there is a fix for you:

Method #1. Individual Page Controls

There may come a time when you want to block (or allow) comments on a specific page or post of your website. I’d say this is a pretty rare use case, but it’s still good to know that you have the option to control comments within each page.

Step 1

Navigate to the Page or Post in WordPress that you want to update this setting for.

Step 2

Scroll down to the bottom of the page until you see a box labeled Discussion. If you do not see that box, scroll back up to the top of the page and drop open the Screen Options in the top-right corner. Click Discussion and then scroll down again. It should be there now.

Step 3

To disable comments on this page, unclick the Allow comments box. You can also disable trackbacks and pingbacks here as well. (More on that in option #5 below.)

Discussion box in the Dashboard

Step 4

Save your changes.

If you want to disable comments for all pages on your site, scroll down to option #7.

Method #2. Disable All Future Post Comments

Now, if you decide that you want to shut off comments on your posts, you can set a universal control from the Settings within WordPress.

Step 1

In WordPress, go down to the Settings tab and select Discussion.

Step 2

At the top of this page, you’ll see a section called Default article settings. Uncheck Allow people to post comments on new articles if you want to disable this functionality.

Default article settings

As is noted beneath that checkbox, you can override that setting by changing the settings on individual posts. Just follow option #1’s steps above.

Step 3

Save your changes.

Take note that this setting only applies to new posts that you create on your WordPress site. You’ll need to enable #3 if you want to disable comments on older posts.

Method #3. Set Auto-Close on Comment Sections

Let’s say you’ve taken care of #2, but you want to remove comments from previous posts. You can do this through the same discussion settings in WordPress.

Step 1

In WordPress, go down to the Settings tab and select Discussion.

Step 2

In the Other comments settings section, check the Automatically close comments on articles older than [0] days. This will effectively remove the comment form and thread on all posts previously created.

Other comment settings

Step 3

Save your changes.

Method #4. Implement Stricter Comment Controls

If the issue you have is that you like some of the comments coming through but want better control over which ones actually publish to your site, you can set up those restrictions within WordPress’s settings as well.

Step 1

In WordPress, go down to the Settings tab and select Discussion.

Step 2

The amount of control you put over how comments are submitted, reviewed, and approved is up to you.

Comment settings

This page will allow you to do a number of things like:

  • Only allow registered users to submit a comment.
  • Receive an email whenever a comment comes through.
  • Require manual approval of all comments.
  • Give frequent commenters a free pass to comment without approval.
  • Put comments into a queue if they contain suspicious links.
  • Blacklist comments that contain certain words, links, etc.

Step 3

Save your changes.

Method #5. Kick out Trackbacks and Pingbacks

Trackbacks and pingbacks are comments that appear on your posts after someone has linked to your content on their own website. Since many of these are just spam, many WordPress users choose to disable them entirely.

Step 1

In WordPress, go down to the Settings tab and select Discussion.

Step 2

Under default article settings, uncheck Allow link notifications from other blogs (pingbacks and trackbacks) on new articles.

Trackbacks

You can also disable this on individual pages or posts by following option #1.

Step 3

Save your changes.

Method #6. Use the Akismet Plugin

The Akismet plugin is one of the most popular and well-reviewed WordPress plugins available, and for good reason. It sifts through all the comments that come into your site, instantly detecting whether or not they look like spam. The best thing about this plugin is that it’s pretty hands-off. You shouldn’t need to go into your Comments folder to clean out bad or other suspicious-looking comments. Akismet will put them aside for you.

Method #7. Use the Disable Comments Plugin

This is the WordPress plugin you’ll need if you want to completely disable comment functionality. This means that there will be no comments on pages or posts on your site. The Disable Comments also disables comments fields and sections throughout the WordPress admin so that users can’t override the universal settings. So, if you need a one-and-done comment disabler, this is it.

Method #8. Use the Disable Comments RB Plugin

Disable Comments RB plugin

No special skills or code modifications needed to disable comments on your website using Disable Comments RB. Just install the plugin and enable main functionality.

You can set comment controls for pages all at once without affecting your posts.

Key features of Disable Comments RB:

  • All comments links in admin menu are hidden
  • Hide Dashboard / Recent Comments section
  • Hide Dashboard / Discussion section
  • All comment links in admin bar are hidden
  • Disable all comments widgets
  • Discussion page settings turned off
  • Disabled RSS/Atom feeds
  • Turn off Pingback functionality in header
  • Pingbacks are disabled

A smart algorithm makes this plugin simple and powerful. While it allows global disabling of comments on all posts, pages, and attachments, it also permits selective enabling of comments anywhere on your website. Just edit this functionality in the desired sections of your WordPress site.

Wrapping Up

Well, there you have it: eight simple ways to enable, disable, and get a better handle on comments on your WordPress site. It might seem like overkill, but every WordPress site has different needs when it comes to comments and thus different solutions are required.

Editor’s Note: This post has been updated for accuracy and relevancy.
[Originally Published: 2013 / Revised: 2017, 2022]

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Hope Comes From the Inside

When I was 28, my childhood friend and former roommate died from a drugs overdose. He was just 27.

It didn’t surprise me that he was gone. Perhaps, subconsciously, I was surprised he’d lasted so long.

Doesn’t mean it didn’t hurt like hell. It did. It broke me.

We always think that being prepared for someone’s death makes it a little easier. That the suddenness feels less sudden.

Whoever came up with that piece of wisdom was a fucking liar.

Or idiot. Maybe both.

When Jamie died, knowing that he’d been taken by the thing that had consumed him for most of his adult life didn’t make it easier.

Didn’t make it less sudden.

It simply reinforced the tragedy of a life that could have been so much more.

We Never Set Out to Fall

Jamie and I went to school together. Not just high school, but primary school too (early grade school in North America).

That meant the best part of 10 years in each other’s company as kids. A lot of time to build a great friendship.

Hope

After school, I went on to University, and Jamie joined the army. Did three tours, and came out a wiser and more thoughtful man.

But he also came out a very different man.

He served in the first Gulf War, and I truly believe that experience took away a large part of his belief in the world not being as bad a place as we all know it can be.

While he never talked specifics, it was clear Jamie had seen some horrific things. And not just committed by “the enemy”.

When he came out the army, he initially struggled to adjust to civilian life. As he sought to get back into the workplace, I offered him the spare room in the flat I was renting at the time.

Those seven months were almost like being back in high school.

We drank, brought girls home, played video games, and – like most young people – experimented with drugs.

Nothing too hard at first. But it wasn’t too long before we tried some coke and ecstasy.

While I won’t deny the experience was enjoyable, it wasn’t what I wanted to be doing. So I stopped the drugs, and suggested Jamie might want to cut back too.

I didn’t want to tell him to stop – he was a grown man. And the drugs helped him forget the war. So who was I to stop him?

But I did worry he was getting too involved.

I wish that you could see,
This face in front of me,
You’re sorry you swear it you’re done,
But I can’t tell you from the drugs.

He shrugged it off, laughing that he was in control, and that he could stop at any time.

Except he didn’t.

And it impacted our friendship.

He decided to leave the flat, and go live with an old girlfriend from high school, who’d gotten her parents’ house after they died in an accident abroad.

As he was leaving, I hugged him, and asked that he get help. Or, at the very least, not fall any further than he had.

He looked at me, and smiled. “We never set out to fall, Danny. We just do. I can’t promise you I won’t – but I promise I’ll get back up.”

With that, he hugged me, and walked away to the new chapter in his life.

Turns out it was to be the final one.

Hope Comes From Inside

That was the last I saw of Jamie. I moved to England to work, and my visits home were infrequent for the first couple of years.

Jamie moved again – turns out old girlfriends aren’t too keen on junkies selling their dead parents’ valuables to fund buying the next fix.

We lost touch, and life went on the way it always does when you see people less.

Four years later, I got a phone call on a wet Sunday afternoon. It was Jamie’s sister, Lisa. I almost knew what she was going to say before her words dropped me to the floor.

“He’s dead, Danny. Jamie’s dead.”

Numbness is a weird sensation. They say that it kicks in to stop pain from overcoming. Or for emotions to remain in check.

I don’t know if that’s what I felt when Lisa hung up the phone, but one thing I do know – numbness definitely doesn’t stop pain.

Doesn’t change the cold, horrible truth.

He’s dead, Danny. Jamie’s dead.

Three days later, I was at the side of a grave in Glasgow. Myself and the minister included, there were only six of us standing around the hole in the ground.

One of them was our old English teacher, Mr. Cummings. It was nice to see him there – he was always one of Jamie’s favourites.

Lisa and her mum were there, as well as someone I didn’t recognize. Turns out it was Jamie’s counselor. He’d finally gotten round to seeking help for his drugs, but succumbed before he could get it.

So fucking typical of you, I thought to myself when I learned this.

After the ceremony, the five of us – Lisa, Jamie’s mum, the counselor, Mr. Cummings and me – retired to a local bar, and shared stories of what Jamie had meant to us.

Memories

We all felt we were to blame. That we’d let Jamie down.

It was Jamie’s mother who spoke to try and ease our guilts.

“Jamie wouldn’t want you – want us – to feel responsible. Every one of us tried. God knows, I tried more than any mother might think is enough. But it wasn’t to be. It never would have been.

“My laddie was never the same after Iraq. I’m not blaming the war; I’m just saying he came back a different person than he went. He simply lost hope about the things he thought was right.

“So, mourn him, but don’t feel responsible for him. He once said to me, ‘Ma, you need hope to live life, and that hope comes from the inside. My hope is long gone – but that doesn’t mean it won’t come back. It will for me – just you watch.’”

Her words tapered off, and Lisa hugged her tight.

We sat another hour or so. Laughing, crying, sometimes just sitting in silence and wistfully looking nowhere in particular.

Then we hugged, and went our separate ways.

Where the Sunshine Slows

I was reminded of Jamie the other night, when I was flicking through YouTube and caught a performance of Drugs or Me, by Jimmy Eat World.

They’ve been one of my favourite bands ever since their second album Clarity, and they remain so today.

As I listened to the lyrics, it brought everything about Jamie back.

His smile. His friendship. His infectious laughter. Him.

As the memories mixed with tears, the song came to an end. And, much like Jamie’s life, it was a perfect close.

Keep my heart,
Somewhere drugs don’t go,
Where the sunshine slows,
Always keep me close.

Jamie’s gone and, despite his mum’s words, I’ll always feel that I let him down.

Letting him walk out the flat we roomed together instead of making him stay and helping him fight the fight he didn’t want to have.

Maybe I could have helped. Maybe not.

Others who have lost friends and loved ones to addiction say blame is a natural emotion, and one we’ll always feel.

Doesn’t mean it’s right. Usually it’s not. But it remains natural to blame ourselves.

The truth is, Jamie lost hope. When we lose that, there’s little anyone can do to make things better.

What we can do is keep their memory alive, and remember the parts of their lives that weren’t tainted by the broken parts.

Somewhere where the sunshine slows, and we keep them close.

Hope Comes From the Inside originally appeared on Danny Brown – – all rights reserved.

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How To Add Google Analytics To WordPress Without a Plugin

When you think about the greatest pairings of all time, you probably think about duos like Batman and Robin, Mickey and Minnie, and peanut butter and jelly. Then again, there is the very modern duo of WordPress and Google Analytics.

While they might not make the layman’s list of greatest partners, I bet they’d be pretty high up there for WordPress design, development, and marketing professionals.

If you have a WordPress website, then you should have Google Analytics (GA), too — no questions asked. It’s not like the two can’t exist without one another (as in any healthy relationship), but I’d argue that the universe just doesn’t seem right when the two aren’t paired up. The question is: how do you make this love connection happen?

Pairing Google Analytics’ Tracking Code and WordPress

You’re most likely aware of at least one of three options available to help you connect Google Analytics to your WordPress site:

  1. Add Google Analytics with a plugin;
  2. Create a Google Analytics WordPress plugin; or
  3. Add Google Analytics to WordPress without a plugin.

That last one? We’re show you in this post where to find your Google Analytics code and how to add Google Analytics to WordPress without a plugin.

Note: we don’t recommend adding Google’s tracking code without a plugin. 

Wait, What?

That’s right. We’ll show you how and where to add the code for analytics tracking, but we honestly believe either of the other two options will serve you and your website better.

Why?

  1. Adding Google Analytics to WordPress with a plugin is easier, faster, and hassle-free;
  2. If you code GA into WP yourself,  you’ll have to add the Google Analytics code again when you switch themes; and
  3. A Google Analytics plugin sets up all features automatically, saving you time.

Now, we get it. If you want hands-on control of how GA tracks your data, then you’ve got to add the Google Analytics tracking code manually. Or, if you’re learning the basics of how WordPress works, then this is an easy task to start with.

Whatever your reasons (and do let us know yours the comments! we’d love to know), let’s jump in.

How to Add Google Analytics to WordPress Without a Plugin

You’re just six simple steps away from adding the tracking code manually.

Let’s count them down.

Step #1: Create a Google Account

Create a Google Account So You Can Add GA Tracking Code Manually To Your Website
Create a Google Account

Create a Google account if you haven’t already, and set up a property — aka your website.

Step #2: Log in to Google Analytics

Sign in to Google Analytics
Sign in to Google Analytics
With your Google account created, you can now sign into Google Analytics. Select your email address and log in.
With your Google account created, you can now sign into Google Analytics. Select your email address and log in.

Step #3: Get Your Google Analytics Tracking ID

Once you have logged into Google Analytics, go to the Admin area at the bottom-left corner of your Google Analytics dashboard.

The Admin area of the Google Analytics Dashboard
The Admin area of the Google Analytics Dashboard

You’ll see three columns of admin settings controls. In the middle column, click on Tracking Info and then select the Tracking Code option.

WhereTo Find the Tracking Info for Google Analytics
WhereTo Find the Tracking Info for Google Analytics

Step #4: Copy Your Tracking Code

The Tracking Code tab will open and show your property’s unique tracking ID, along with the full Google Analytics tracking code.

An Example of Google Analytics Tracking Code
An Example of Google Analytics Tracking Code

Once you get your GA tracking code, you will need to copy it in full.

Step #5: Log in to WordPress and Add the Code

Note: You should always create a child theme for your WordPress site before editing theme files (as you will in this next step). Check out our post about How to Create a WordPress Child Theme if you need a recap.

So, where in the HTML of your webpage should you place your analytics tracking code?

Log in the backend of your WordPress website.

Once logged in, go to the Appearance > Editor tab in the sidebar. On this screen, you’ll see all of your site’s files displayed to the right, and each file’s Google Analytics code snippet displayed in the middle of the page.

Go to Appearance > Editor
Go to Appearance > Editor

Unless you’re only planning to track visitor activity on certain pages of your website (unlikely), you’ll want to insert the code somewhere that will automatically apply the tracking site-wide.

Where can you do that?

Look for the header.php file along the right-hand side. Click on it to open; the code editor will appear in the middle of your screen.

Look for the closing tag within the code. A simple Ctrl + F will help you quickly locate it.

Use your browser’s search function to look for the closing Head tag.
Use your browser’s search function to look for the closing head tag

Once you find it, insert your cursor just before the tag and paste in your Google Analytics tracking code. Then click on the Update File button below the code editor to save your changes.

Step #6: Test Your Connection To GA While Waiting

After adding Google Analytics to WordPress, it takes anywhere from 24 to 48 hours for new data to populate.

So while you won’t start seeing the data on any traffic to your site immediately, you can test the connection you’ve established.

Check by returning to the Tracking Code page in Google Analytics. To the right of your Tracking ID is a Status Update. To confirm everything’s working properly, click on Send Test Traffic. This will open your site in a small window.

If all is well, your account should update to show an active user count of 1. Yay!

If the active user count doesn’t appear immediately, be patient. Google says this can take up to a minute.

Need More Help With Your Google Analytics Tracking Code?

If you missed our comprehensive guide to Google Analytics, take some time to read through it once everything is set up and ready to go on your WordPress site. It’ll give you a great introduction into what Google Analytics is, what it does, and what you can learn from the insights found within it.

And if you want to get even more granular with your tracking, check out our Tracking File Downloads With Google Analytics and WordPress.

Are you looking for an easy way to deliver your Google Analytics data to your WordPress clients? Check out how you can create pdf reports of GA dashboard data.

Ready? Set? Get Tracking!

You’ve come a long way since the start of this article – from not knowing how or where to put your Google Analytics tracking code, to getting your first test user counted and seeing your Analytics in action.

Congrats!

Now, it’s time to put what you’ve learned to work, and get that code on your WordPress site.

If you need any help (and you’re a WPMU DEV member), contact our Support experts 24/7 with questions. Or, if you’re still figuring out whether a membership is right for you, post in the comments below. We’re happy to help you measure the metrics of your WordPress site with Google Analytics, in whatever way we can.

To your success!

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How to Get a Logo Accepted: Eight Steps To a Better Design Workflow


  

As logo and brand designers, our work starts long before the first concept sketches, and finishes long after the last perfectly placed pixel. Our work requires so much more than just creative ideas and technical skills — it compels us to be a marketer, strategist, psychologist, salesperson, showman and project manager at the same time. It’s difficult, but it’s also exciting and challenging!

A Logo Design Workflow

The goal of my article is to help you rethink your (logo) design workflow. Some of these tips are mine, others are borrowed from world-famous designers. All these tips and tricks are tested and proven, and are tailored to improve your workflow for (re)branding projects.

The post How to Get a Logo Accepted: Eight Steps To a Better Design Workflow appeared first on Smashing Magazine.

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Top eCommerce Payment Gateways for WordPress

Okay, so you’ve created a kickass design, your site’s running in tip-top shape, and your visitors are more than ready to convert. What more could you ask for?

But then your soon-to-be-customers get to the payment gateway and don’t see their preferred provider listed. Or there’s a security warning that’s thrown them off-guard. Or, even worse, they change their minds, want to go back to the site to add another item to their cart, but they realize they’re no longer on your site and don’t know how to get back.

So, what can you do to ensure that UX issues like the ones mentioned above don’t keep your visitors from converting? There’s really only one thing you can do: choose a payment gateway provider (or providers) that will provide a reliable and secure experience.

In this post I’m going to:

  • Explain what payment gateways are and how they work
  • Show you some popular payment gateways, how much they cost and how to use them
  • Talk about how you can integrate these payment gateways with WordPress

If you already know what a payment gateway is, feel free to skip ahead to the section on popular gateways and WordPress integration. :)

What Is a Payment Gateway?

To briefly describe what a payment gateway is, it’s a third-party tool that evaluates and processes payments from your customers. So, rather than set up a basic contact form that requires customers to fill in their information to place an order—which you would then need to manually process on your end—the payment gateway handles it on your behalf.

There are a number of benefits to using a payment gateway. The time savings is obviously one of them. There’s also the matter of PCI compliance. And there’s the flexibility in payment types you can accept by using a payment processing tool.

Of course, like with any other third-party system you bring into your WordPress site, there are a number of things that must be taken into consideration. Here is what you will need to think about:

Cost

With most third-party integrations, there’s almost always an upfront cost associated with it. However, when it comes to payment processors, you also need to take a closer look at the fine print as there are fees you’ll need to pay for each transaction processed. There are some that also charge your customers a fee in order to use the payment gateway—and nothing screams “depart this transaction immediately” more than an unexpected cost.

Payment Location

Some payment gateways enable users to add the payment gateway directly onto their site through an API. This can be a good thing as it prevents that feeling of disruption as visitors are shuttled to a different website to enter their payment information. However, there are some payment gateway providers that are so well-known and trusted (think of PayPal) where the disruption might not matter that much if customers feel more confident submitting payment information through that site instead of your own.

That’s ultimately what you need to keep in mind here: what will your customers be more comfortable with. Do they want one seamless process that occurs entirely on your site or would they be more comfortable paying through a well-known provider? You can use A/B testing to see which option leads to higher conversions or you can solicit feedback from your customers and ask them directly what they prefer.

Merchant Account

You may run into a number of payment processors who require you to have a separate merchant account into which funds are deposited, which means yet another step you have to take care of in order to get your online payment system up and running. However inconvenient that may seem right now, though, it’s important to note that payment gateways who don’t require merchant accounts and are willing to directly deposit funds into your account are more likely to charge you a higher processing fee.

Security

Obviously, this point can’t be stressed enough as security shouldn’t stop even if the purchase experience is handed over to another party. Your payment gateway should be just as secure to use, if not more, than your own website. This means they need an SSL certificate, additional encryption, and must be PCI compliant.

Countries Accepted

The first thing to do before signing with any payment processor is to check your site’s analytics. This will tell you which countries your visitors are located in, so you can include country-compatible payment methods, currencies, and translations in your payment gateway.

Taxes

If you’re collecting revenue through your site, you need an easy way to collect the appropriate amount of taxes. While there will, of course, be local taxes, you’ll also have to be aware of country or region-specific taxes, like the value-added tax (VAT) in the EU. So, if you know you’re going to sell goods out of state or country, your payment gateway should be equipped to calculate those taxes for you.

Automated Payments

For product sales, this might not be something you need to worry about. However, for those of you offering a recurring service or something that customers will purchase frequently enough, automated payments are definitely worth thinking about. One way to do this is to create an option for recurring payments. You may also want to create an auto-pay method whereby payment information from previous transactions can be saved so customers don’t have to re-enter it every time.

Plugin Compatibility

If your site is making sales, then you most definitely have an eCommerce or shopping cart plugin at your disposal. Not every payment gateway will work with your plugin of choice, so confirm compatibility before signing up.

Design

And, of course, you’ve got to think about the design of the payment gateway. Will it allow for branding personalization so that it matches your site? Is it mobile responsive? How intuitive is it in terms of layout, numbers of steps or pages, etc.? Again, this is still part of your customers’ experience and you don’t want bad design to ruin that.

Best Payment Gateways for WordPress

Alright, so now that you know what you’re looking for, let’s narrow down that search and compare the best payment gateway providers for WordPress.

  • PayPal Payments Pro

    If you need a little extra out of PayPal, their Pro option is worth consideration:

    • Cost: There’s a $30 monthly fee to use this service, in addition to the per-transaction fee assessed.
    • Payment Location: You won’t have to send customers to PayPal. They’ll see the recognizable and trusted logo on your site, but they can stay right where they are to make a payment.
    • Merchant Account: There’s no need for one with PayPal, but you do have the option if you want a quick and easy way to deposit funds into your bank account.
    • Security: PayPal provides you with options to keep transactions on your site PCI compliant.
    • Global Friendliness: PayPal accepts only six currencies from credit card providers. If customers make PayPal payments, though, they’ll take over 25 currencies from 200+ markets.
    • Payment Methods Accepted: Because this is PayPal, a good portion of the payment types available come from them, including: PayPal standard payments, PayPal credit, as well as PayPal special financing. You can also accept credit cards, bank transfers, and even phone-based credit card payments.
    • Automated Payments: I don’t believe this is an option.
    • Plugin Compatibility: PayPal Pro supports most major shopping carts.
    • Design: The UI is fully customizable. It also works across all devices, so you won’t have to worry about the mobile payment experience.

    Interested in PayPal Payments Pro?

    Details

  • Stripe

    Stripe is definitely not lacking in features:

    • Cost: There are no setup or monthly fees. Aside from the usual per-transaction charges, the only costs you have to worry about are from customer chargebacks.
    • Payment Location: You can create a totally custom checkout for your site or you can use their pre-built Checkout.
    • Merchant Account: No need for a merchant account.
    • Security: If you’re keeping customers on your site to process payments, Stripe offers developers the option to use client-side tokenization to ensure PCI compliance.
    • Global Friendliness: Strips works in over 100 countries (for your and your customers’ base of operations) and accepts over 135 currencies. There’s no change for currency conversion either.
    • Payment Methods Accepted: Stripe accepts all major credit cards, bank and debit payments, Bitcoin, and digital payments from Apple Pay and Android Pay. Their API tools also enable developers to set up alternative payment processing options like selling products from a tweet.
    • Automated Payments: Stripe is set up to help all e-commerce business types: basic stores, on-demand marketplaces, subscription services, and even crowdfunding.
    • Design: This tool was built with the developer in mind, so its capabilities can be extended with simple APIs.

  • 2CheckOut

    Here are just a few of 2CheckOut’s features:

    • Cost: In addition to the standard fees per transaction, they also charge for international transactions and currency conversion.
    • Payment Location: You can either use the API to put the checkout on your site or you can use “inline” checkout which moves the process to their site while making it still look like it’s on yours.
    • Merchant Account: You need a merchant account in order to accept payments.
    • Security: They are Level 1 PCI compliant.
    • Global Friendliness: Their payment gateway is offered in 15 languages, includes 87 currency options, and they’ll process payments in over 200 markets.
    • Payment Methods Accepted: They accept credit card, debit card, and PayPal payments, among others.
    • Automated Payments: You can create pricing plans, flexible billing schedules, automated payments, and more.
    • Plugin Compatibility: Works with WooCommerce, WP e-commerce, Zoho, Shopify, osCommerce, and more.
    • Design: You can brand the gateway to match your site. The checkout page is also mobile-friendly.

  • Authorize.net

    Authorize.net is another widely accepted gateway that might offer precisely what you need:

    • Cost: There’s an initial $49 setup fee, a $25 monthly fee, as well as per-transaction fee.
    • Payment Location: It’s up to you: this can go on your site or on Authorize.net’s.
    • Merchant Account: You’ll need a merchant bank account to collect your payments.
    • Security: You’ll have free access to Authorize.net’s fraud protection tools if you integrate gateway on your site. Otherwise, Authorize.net is PCI DSS certified.
    • Global Friendliness: While you’re free to accept payments from around the world, you must reside in the U.S., Canada, UK, Europe, or Australia in order to use this service.
    • Payment Methods Accepted: Payment types include credit card, Authorize.net e-checks, as well as digital payments like Apple Pay, PayPal, and VisaCheckout.
    • Automated Payments: There are a number of options available. You can store customer information for future transactions, set up subscriptions, or create dynamic recurring billing schedules.
    • Plugin Compatibility: Works with e-commerce and banking plugins like BigCommerce, Shopify, Magento, Moolah, QuickBooks, and Wells Fargo.
    • Design: You’re free to personalize the look of your checkout page to match your brand.

    Interested in Authorize.net?

    Details

  • Braintree

    Braintree offers another way to accept payments on your WordPress site. Check out some of its features:

    • Cost: There are no monthly fees to use Braintree, just the standard per-transaction fee. Note that the fee depends on which country you’re processing payments from.
    • Payment Location: You can use Braintree’s hosted service or you can use their drop-UI to put it directly on your site.
    • Merchant Account: Since this is a PayPal service, you don’t need a merchant account.
    • Security: Advanced fraud protection is included with this service.
    • Global Friendliness: Braintree’s service will process payments in over 130 currencies and for customers in 44 countries.
    • Payment Methods Accepted: You can accept payments from PayPal, credit cards, Apple Pay, Venmo, Masterpass, and more. In addition, you can split payments with other partners or providers.
    • Automated Payments: There are recurring billing options for repeat customers, subscription-based services, as well as donations.
    • Plugin Compatibility: This tool will integrate with a huge range of e-commerce and sales tools like Salesforce, Magento, Freshbooks, BigCommerce, and 3dcart.
    • Design: You can customize the design of the checkout or use their ready-made interface.

  • Square

    Square also lets you accept payments online easily. Check out Square’s features:

    • Cost: No monthly fee and 2.2% per transaction.
    • Payment Location: Although Square provides its own online store building platform, you can use Square’s APIs to accept payments directly on a WordPress website that you build yourself, or use plugins like a WooCommerce extension to integrate Square’s payment processing and other tools with your online store.
    • Merchant Account: You need a transactional bank account in case of refunds or disputed payments.
    • Security: They are Level 1 PCI compliant and offer layered security with fraud prevention methods.
    • Global Friendliness: At this time, WooCommerce Square is currently only available for the U.S., Canada, Australia, Japan and the UK.
    • Payment Methods Accepted: All major credit and debit cards are accepted. Payments are deposited into your linked bank account next business day with their standard schedule, or you can create a custom payment schedule to suit odd business hours.
    • Automated Payments: You can receive automated payments for single and recurring transactions.
    • Plugin Compatibility: Works with WooCommerce, WP EasyCart, Ecwid.
    • Design: You can customize the gateway to match your site. The checkout page is also mobile-friendly.

Integrating Payment Gateways with WordPress

Here’s the thing about payment gateways: you might not be responsible for designing them or developing the code that processes payments in the first place, but that doesn’t mean you can wipe your hands clean of what happens once your visitors land on them. If you’re including a payment gateway on your site, then it’s a part of your visitors’ experience and needs to be accounted for as you shape that experience for them, so it’s important to integrate your payment gateway correctly not just with WordPress, but also any plugins used to enhance or extend your site’s functionality.

For example, our Forminator plugin not only lets you add forms, quizzes, polls, and calculators to your site, but also take payments, donations, down payments, and sell merchandise with built-in Stripe and PayPal integrations. The video below shows you how to build order forms with payments for free in WordPress using the plugin’s payment integration features:

Different types of applications like Learning Management Systems (LMS), membership sites, and listing directories have built-in payment integrations with WordPress.

Below are some plugins that help to make integrating payment gateways and WordPress easier:

  • WooCommerce Square

    WooCommerce Square is a free plugin that lets you integrate the Square payment gateway on WordPress to sync inventory and product data between WooCommerce and Square POS.

    Some of the benefits and features of using this plugin for payment integration with WordPress include:

    • PCI compliant payment processing option that meets SAQ A levels of compliance.
    • Support for WooCommerce Subscriptions
    • Support for WooCommerce Pre-Orders
    • Allow customers to save payment methods and use them at checkout
    • Use an enhanced payment form with automatic formatting, mobile-friendly inputs, and retina card icons
    • Sync product data automatically between WooCommerce and Square.

    See the plugin documentation for setup instructions.

  • WP Easy Pay – Square for WordPress

    WP Easy Pay – Square for WordPress is another free plugin you can use to integrate WordPress with the Square payment gateway and accept simple payments and donations if you are not using WooCommerce or don’t need to add a shopping cart to your store.

    Some of the highlights of using this plugin for payment integration with WordPress include:

    • SCA (Strong Customer Authentication) support.
    • Sandbox support allows you to see test transactions in Square Dashboard.
    • Use a single button to collect donations and simple payments.
    • Users can enter custom amounts to make payments for donations.

    The plugin also has a premium version with additional features like support for digital wallets, email notifications, and reports.

  • WooCommerce Stripe Payment Gateway

    WooCommerce Stripe Payment Gateway is a free plugin that lets you accept Stripe payments through WooCommerce and add payment request buttons like Apple Pay and Google Pay and other payment methods on your website. It also supports recurring payments like subscriptions.

  • Stripe Payments

    The Stripe Payments plugin lets you integrate your WordPress site with the Stripe payment gateway to accept credit card payments.

    Once installed and configured, you can add ‘Buy Now’ buttons anywhere on your site using a simple shortcode and accept donations. After users purchase online with one-click payments, they are redirected to a “Checkout Result” page showing details of the transaction. Payment and order information can then be accessed from your WordPress dashboard.

  • Stripe Payments for WordPress – WP Simple Pay

    WP Simple Pay is a free standalone Stripe Checkout plugin that lets you accept credit card payments with Stripe Checkout on your WordPress site with no complex shopping cart, form builder or membership site plugin required.

    The free version comes with many built-in features, including unlimited payment forms, mobile responsive Stripe Checkout pages, product images display in Stripe Checkout page, optional verification and capture of user details, and the ability to specify payment success & failure pages. The paid version offers additional features including support for subscription payments and options.

  • WooCommerce PayPal Checkout Payment Gateway

    If you’re using WooCommerce, you can add this free plugin to integrate your site with a PayPal in-context checkout payment gateway, which remains hosted on PayPal’s servers, allowing your site to meet security requirements without affecting your theme.

    Refer to the documentation to learn how to integrate this plugin using PayPal’s easy setup method.

  • WordPress Simple PayPal Shopping Cart

    WordPress Simple PayPal Shopping Cart is a free plugin that lets you insert an ‘Add to Cart’ button on any post or page using shortcodes and display the shopping cart on your pages or sidebar. The plugin also has an option to use smart PayPal payment buttons and various additional features.

    See the plugin’s documentation section and video tutorials for setup and integration information.

  • 2Checkout Payment Gateway for WooCommerce

    If you want to process payments online using 2Checkout (2CO), this plugin integrates with your WooCommerce store to provide itemized checkout and pass all billing and shipping data to the 2CO purchase page.

Getting Paid Is The Easy Part

By this point, you should have a pretty good idea of what you want your payment gateway to do and have a few providers you’re thinking of using:

  • Square offers relatively low processing fees and lets small businesses and independent sellers accept most consumer credit cards and facilitate cashless transactions.
  • Stripe is the most developer-friendly platform, so if you really want to get into personalizing your checkout page, this is a good option to have.
  • PayPal is a great choice if you want to leverage the trusted name of a payment processor that over 184 million people already use.
  • 2Checkout seems to be the most global-friendly of the options, so if you’re hoping to cast a wider net, that may be the one you want to turn to.

Probably the easiest way to integrate payment processing gateways with WordPress is to use an eCommerce plugin that already has an extensive list of payment options built-in.  Many eCommerce plugins not only give you this option, most will even provide links, wizards, and helpful tooltips to facilitate this process, so all you have to do is sign up for an account with the merchant, enter a registration code or special key into a settings field, and boom diggity… you’ve saved a whole lot of time!

One last thing to think about when researching payment gateways is how you’re going to deliver customers their goods after collecting their money, especially if you plan to sell physical goods. That’s why we’ve written a companion piece on the top eCommerce plugins for shipping products.

If you haven’t built your eCommerce site yet, make sure to read our comprehensive guide to planning an eCommerce store with WordPress before getting started.