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[Hosting] Comparison bronze vs gold plans

I look after 4/5 websites for a client. Would there be hosting performance benefits with 1 gold plan and multisite or 4/5 bronze plans?
Many thanks

Thu, 20 Oct 2022 8:51:04
  • Adam
    • Support Gorilla

    Hi lukehm

    I hope you’re well today!

    While I completely understand the reason for this question, I’m afraid there’s really no simple answer to that.

    There are three main factors here:

    1. it all depends greatly and mostly on the site itself – its complexity in terms of number and “code complexity”/”resource hunger” of used plugins and themes, the traffic the site receives, how well optimized it is and so on

    2. the resource difference between Bronze and Gold plan is quite big actually but then the usage would also be different between multisite and single sites; in some cases even single sites wouldn’t be well suited for Bronze site (e.g. if they are e-commerce and/or e-learning sites – they may need higher plan anyway); in some cases they may be perfectly fine each on its own Bronze plan but combined into one multisite they’ll put heavy load even on Gold plan…

    3. there are some differences in how Multisite WP works vs single site that can also significantly change how resources are used.

    Additionally, the “usage” related needs are also important. For example: with Multisite you do have “separate sites” but then it’s all single base of user accounts, singel set of plugins (even if some of them are only enabled on selected sub-sites; but not all can be used that way) and so on.

    I’d love to give you a straight and “ultimate” answer but it really isn’t possible. If those sites are are really simple sites and you mostly manage them yourself (“tech wise” – content is a different thing) then a multisite on Gold plan may be a good shot.

    If they are more complex sites and, especially, if they are currently very different in configurations and/or their admins need to have a very “wide” access regarding configuration and “tech-side” management – it may be better to go for separate plans. Though whether Bronze would be enough for each of those sites or some would need higher one – that’s also something that would need to be tested (e.g. start with Bronze and then upgrade a plan or two higher if necessary).

    Kind regard,
    Adam

  • lukehm
    • Flash Drive

    Thanks Adam
    Actually very helpful
    The 5 sites are very nearly clones of each other and admin is done by a small group. The multi site sounds good. Would you set up a new multi site and migrate the olds sites or change one of the old sites to multi?
    Best

  • Adam
    • Support Gorilla

    HI lukehm

    If the sites are relatively simple, “near clones”, and managed by a small and well-cooperating (if needed) group then yes – a multisite on Gold plan (for the start but I still can’t tell if it will suffice or not; good chance is it will though) may be a good shot.

    I suppose I wouldn’t convert any of the old sites to multisite though. I’d rather setup a new multisite and then migrate original sites into it one by one, doing necessary adjustments on migrated/target sites “on a way” if necessary (and it usually will be necessary).

    That is in order to maintain some level of “safety”. You wouldn’t risk literally anything – any damage, data loss or unexpected issues – at original sites and could keep them live as long as needed, until everything is properly setup up, adjusted and fully tested on a new multisite.

    Best regards,
    Adam