The multi-site feature of AnQi CMS is an extremely powerful feature that provides unprecedented flexibility for website operators, whether managing multiple independent brand websites or building a content-sharing matrix, they can handle it with ease.The core of this feature lies in its ability to allow you to efficiently manage and display multiple independently operated websites under a single secure CMS system, and巧妙ly balance content differentiation and unity.

Understanding the multi-site capabilities of AnQiCMS

Firstly, we need to clarify the operation mode of the Anqi CMS multi-site function.It does not refer to installing multiple CMS programs on the server repeatedly, but rather to carrying and managing multiple logically independent websites through a single system.This means that you only need to maintain a single backend to perform content publishing, user management, template switching, and other operations for all associated sites, which greatly reduces repetitive work and improves operational efficiency.

To enable and manage multiple sites, you usually need to complete the following steps:

  1. Domain and reverse proxy configuration:Each site needs an independent domain name. At the server level, you will route different domain name requests to the same running port of the Anqi CMS using a reverse proxy (such as Nginx or Apache).For example, using Baota panel involves adding a reverse proxy site for each domain in the panel, forwarding requests to the listening port of Anqi CMS (usually port 8001).
  2. Add a new site in the Anqi CMS backend:After completing the server configuration, you can enter the "Multi-site Management" feature in the Anqi CMS backend of the default site. Here, you can configure the detailed settings for each new site, including:
    • Site name and website address:Define the basic information of the site.
    • Site root directory:This is a key setting, each new site needs an independent root directory (such as/app/dev_anqicms.com), used to store the cache, specific files, etc., of the site to ensure data isolation.
    • Admin account password:Set independent backend management credentials for each site to achieve permission separation.
    • Database name:Assign a separate database to each site to ensure complete data isolation for the site and avoid interference.The Anqi CMS usually supports reusing database connection information, but creating different database names is the key to achieving data isolation.
    • Select the template to use:Specify a set of default templates for the new site.

With these configurations, each newly added site has the independent operating foundation, laying a foundation for the differentiated and unified display of subsequent content.

Achieve differentiated content display

When you have multiple independent brands or websites aimed at different target audiences, content differentiation is a core requirement. The multi-site function of Anqi CMS makes this very simple and intuitive:

  • Independent template system:Each site can specify a completely independent template. This means that you can design completely different visual styles, user experiences, and layout structures for different sites.In the template file, throughconfig.jsonYou can define the type of template (such as adaptive, code adaptation, or PC + mobile independent mode) to meet various display needs.You can even customize exclusive templates for specific categories, articles, or single pages to make content display more refined.
  • Independent content management:In multi-site mode, each site's content is completely independent.You can post articles, products, and pages for site A, set its unique categories and tags, and this content will not automatically appear on site B.This includes:
    • Independent content model:Different sites can have their own content models, for example, one site focuses on "articles", while another focuses on "product display", and their field structures and publishing processes can be different.
    • An independent classification and labeling system:Each site can create its own unique classification tree and tag cloud based on its own content characteristics, ensuring the clarity of content organization logic.
    • Independent single-page management:“About Us”, “Contact Information”, etc., single-page content does not affect each other across sites.
  • Independent site configuration:Such as website name, Logo, filing number, contact information, home page TDK (title, keywords, description) and global settings, as well as navigation menu, static rules, SEO tool configuration, etc., can be independently configured for each site.This enables each site to have its own brand identity and optimize its own SEO strategy.For example, the contact number of site A may refer to the South China region customer service, while site B refers to the East China region customer service.

Achieve unified or shared content display.

Although multiple sites emphasize differentiation, in actual operation, in many scenarios, it is necessary to display certain content uniformly or share data between sites. Anqi CMS provides a clever mechanism to achieve this goal, with the core being the data tags insiteIdParameter.

Almost all template tags used to retrieve data (such asarchiveList/archiveDetail/categoryList/categoryDetail/pageList/pageDetailevensystem/contact/tdksuch assiteIdparameters. By specifying data from other sitessiteId, you can easily pull and display the data from that site:

  • Share common brand information:Assuming you have a main brand site (Site A) and multiple sub-brand sites (Site B, C). You can access them through{% system with name="SiteLogo" siteId="主品牌站点ID" %}Unify the main brand's logo call or display the main brand's filing number in the footer.
  • Unified display of contact information:If all child sites use the same headquarters phone number or email, you can use it through the templates of each child site,{% contact with name="Cellphone" siteId="总部站点ID" %}Make sure the displayed information is always consistent, and you only need to modify it in one place once the headquarters information changes.
  • Cross-site content reference:
    • News announcement sharing:You may want all sites to display the latest news announcements of the company. Just post these news on a specific site (such as the "News Center" site), and then on the homepage or sidebar of other sites,