Our WooCommerce experts have reviewed the latest WooCommerce 10.3 update to highlight the features that can improve site performance, checkout experience, and profit tracking.

What are the updates in WooCommerce 10.3?

1. Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) Now Available in WooCommerce Core

Using COGS, merchants can now track the true cost of each product sold, allowing them to calculate profit margins more accurately.

Why it matters:
This is a powerful financial tool for ecommerce clients who want more control over pricing, margins, and inventory. Tracking the store’s financial performance will help make data-driven decisions effectively. 

This is particularly beneficial for those with larger or more complex product lines.

For more information, visit Woo’s deep-dive guide.

2. Address Autocomplete in woocommerce Checkout

Stores can now offer predictive address search during checkout. Once you start typing a postcode you will be able to select the full address easily. 

Why it matters:
Faster, more accurate checkout means fewer errors and better conversion rates. 

This is especially useful for mobile-heavy traffic, international shipping, or time-sensitive orders.

Available to merchants using WooPayments with a verified account.

3. Performance Improvements for Product Collections

The Product Collection block now loads faster, especially when used multiple times on the same page. Also fixes a bug where the editor wrongly thought you’d made changes.

Why it matters:
Speed is critical for SEO and user experience. This update makes high-product-count pages (like category overviews or custom landing pages) more responsive and reliable.

Useful for stores with rich catalogue layouts or complex content strategies.

4. PayPal Upgrade and Express Checkout

WooCommerce now uses PayPal’s latest Orders v2 API, including new Express Checkout buttons (PayPal, Venmo, Pay Later).

Why it matters:
Faster, more secure checkouts build trust, especially for returning users. Adding Pay Later options can also increase average order value.

If your PayPal setup hasn’t been reviewed recently, it may be using outdated methods that miss out on these benefits.

Experimental / Beta Features

Add to Cart + Options Block (Enhanced)

When customers select a variation (like size or colour), other related blocks update too. e.g. image galleries scroll to the right variation, or the quantity selector hides if only one can be bought.

Why it matters:
A smoother, smarter product page means fewer clicks and less confusion, especially for configurable or technical products.

Great for B2B or D2C clients with custom bundles, product kits or variable pricing models.

WooCommerce MCP (Beta)

This allows AI tools (like Claude or VS Code extensions) to interact with WooCommerce stores using a standard protocol.

Why it matters:
Still early stages, but promising for streamlining store admin, customer service, or developer workflows using AI.

Best suited for dev-savvy clients exploring automation or custom integrations.

Empty Session Clearing (Experimental)

WooCommerce now automatically clears out empty customer sessions to improve caching and page speed, especially for first-time or logged-out users.

Why it matters:
Improves page speed and cache compatibility, especially important for stores with lots of first-time visitors or high organic traffic.

Developer Notices

Decimal Formatting Change 

wc_format_decimal will return an empty string (not 0) from version 10.4, plugin authors should check for this.

Coupon Logic Rollback

A fix introduced in 10.2 caused issues with recalculating discounts; this has now been reverted for consistency.

What The Woo 10.3 Update Means for Your Store

WooCommerce 10.3 isn’t just a technical update, it introduces improvements that can help your site run faster, convert better, and give you more control over your ecommerce performance.

Here’s what we recommend:

• Use COGS tracking to monitor profit margins and make smarter pricing decisions.
• Enable address autocomplete to reduce checkout friction and failed deliveries.
• Update PayPal integrations to offer faster, more trusted payment options.
• Explore beta features if you have complex product variations or want more design flexibility.

Want to explore how these features could benefit your business? Book a call with one of our WordPress specialists today. Or email hello@fellowship.agency.

Fellowship Scoops Prestigious ‘Best in UK’ Honour

We’re thrilled to have been awarded Digital Agency of the Year at the prestigious UK Business Tech Awards, entered by the likes of KPMG Dash, Lloyds Banking Group, Publicis Sapient and UK Power Networks.    

Award-Winning Digital Projects That Set Us Apart:

• The redesign and build of 17 websites to a WordPress Multisite for Xplor Technologies, a global SaaS company
• Design and build of EcoWise, a bespoke online learning platform for environmental consultancy, SaveMoneyCutCarbon 
• Website redesign and rebuild for Vapourtec, the world’s leading manufacturer of laboratory-scale flow chemistry instruments.  

Why the Judges Chose Fellowship as Digital Agency of the Year

“Fellowship stands out as a leader among digital agencies with its niche expertise, strong client retention, and measurable business impact. Their projects demonstrate technical depth and long-term value, while their white paper and lifetime guarantee reflect a commitment to trust and quality. A clear strategic focus, coupled with thought leadership and the Entrepreneurial Operating System framework, makes this a well-rounded and compelling agency.”

Darren Hickey, Founder & MD, on the Win

“We’re thrilled to pick up the Digital Agency of the Year award. It’s a testament to the fantastic work of our team and to the successful, long-lasting partnerships we establish with our clients. They rely on us to deliver digital platforms that are robust, scalable and strategic – and we’re proud to be recognised for doing just that.”

What This Award Means for Our Clients

Winning Digital Agency of the Year is more than recognition for Fellowship; it’s a reflection of the trust our clients place in us.

Every project we deliver is designed to create long-term value, whether that’s building scalable platforms, supporting business growth, or helping organisations lead their industries through technology.

What Is a Google Core Update?

Google core updates are released throughout the year. It is an algorithm designed to improve the quality of search results for users. Updates like this can significantly impact rankings for many businesses without notice or guidance.

Since Google does not explicitly state what is changing, it can be challenging to respond appropriately. 

What to Monitor During a Google Core Update

The current core update was rolled out on June 30th and is expected to be fully completed by the end of this week. So what should you be keeping an eye out for during the rollout and once the update is complete?:

Keyword rankings

These will often fluctuate during core updates. Tracking them helps you to understand overall movement and any drastic changes.

Traffic Trends

Keep your eye on traffic trends. Tools like Google Analytics can help you identify any sudden spikes or drops.

Search Console Data

Tracking impressions, clicks and indexing activity will give you a better assessment of how your site is being affected by the core update.

Competitor Analysis

Competitor analysis will help identify any changes relative to your existing competitors and may reveal new competitors that have emerged.

Website Best Practices for Google Core Updates

While you can’t control how Google core updates affect you, you can control your website fundamentals. 

By staying up to date with best practices for your website, you can improve your chances of maintaining visibility and resilience through core updates.

Here are a few things to consider:

Fast Load Times

A faster site keeps users engaged and meets Google’s performance expectations. Don’t let your site slow you down; use Google PageSpeed Insights to understand your website’s performance.

Mobile-First Design

You should always ensure that your website is optimised for mobile as Google prioritises mobile usability when ranking sites.

Clean Code & Structure

A website should always be built with clean, organised code. This helps search engines understand your content more easily, while also reducing your risk of technical issues. 

Lightweight, Maintainable Build

Try to avoid using unnecessary features, themes, or plugins that can slow down your site or cause problems over time. Keep your websites lean and clean, ensuring your site is fast and easy to manage.

Secure by Default (HTTPS)

A secure website is essential for building trust. A HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) is an expected practice to meet Google’s basic standards for safety and reliability. It encrypts the connection between your site and its visitors.

Discover how to conduct a security audit to ensure your site is secure at all times during a Google Core Update.

What (and What Not) to Do During a Google Core Update

While Google core updates can cause significant problems, reacting too quickly can do more harm than good.

Here’s what we recommend:

• Don’t panic if rankings shift; this is a common occurrence during core updates.
  
• Avoid drastic changes to your site or content based on short-term data. Let things settle and understand the data.
  
• Monitor and document changes so you can make informed adjustments later.
  
• Don’t go off strategy; continue as normal until the rollout has stabilised.

Why Fellowship Sites Stay Ahead

Our in-house development team adhere to the latest best practices, ensuring your sites perform well, load quickly, and remain stable through future updates.

It’s not just about how your site looks. It’s about how well it’s built for long-term stability.

If you’d like to discuss your digital requirements and how we can help your site perform, book a call with one of our WordPress consultants. Or email hello@fellowship.agency.

The latest WooCommerce 10.0 update introduces several features that make your site faster, smarter and more accessible. Here’s a quick overview of what’s new.

What are the updates in WooCommerce 10.0?

1. Your WooCommerce Store Is Now More Accessible

WooCommerce is now fully compliant with WCAG 2.2 Level AA, meaning your store works better for users with disabilities. Expect clearer forms, enhanced keyboard-first navigation and screen reader support.

Why it matters: If you’re in a regulated sector, easy access for all is likely a requirement. For everyone else, offering an improved user experience for people with disabilities is simply the right thing to do.

2. Shareable Checkout Links

You can now create custom links that pre-fill a customer’s basket with your products and send them straight to checkout.

Perfect for:

• Email marketing campaigns
  
• Social media campaigns
  
• Landing pages
  

This WooCommerce update creates a faster path to purchase, with fewer clicks and easier conversions.

3. CSV Product Importer Supports Rich Content

Importing product data just got simpler. You can now include HTML in CSV uploads, making it easy to bring in tables, formatted descriptions and more, without the formatting falling apart.

Save time and keep things organised.

4. Custom Sale Messages

You can now customise the text on product badges from “Sale” to anything of your choosing, such as “Clearance”, “Seasonal Pick” or “Back to School”.

The WooCommerce update gives you more control, more relevance, and more sales.

5. Smoother Cart & Checkout

The Cart Block totals area is now far more straightforward to use.

The shipping calculator has been removed from the cart and will now only appear during checkout, after a customer provides their address. 

Additionally, loading animations will only trigger when fields that actually impact shipping costs are modified, giving a smoother and faster experience.

6. Easier Coupon Management

Several long-standing coupon issues have been resolved, along with fewer restrictions on how coupons calculate discounts in the cart. 

This means more reliable discounts and less admin frustration.

WooCommerce Experimental / BETA Features

As well as the new WooCommerce updates, Woo has been working on some BETA features that may prove to be very beneficial for stores.

Add to Cart + Options Block

You can now fully customise the Add to Cart section using blocks, reorder fields, style them to match your design, and tailor the experience by product type.

Ideal for detailed products, such as kits, variations, or grouped items.

Product Gallery Block Changes

The gallery block has been rebuilt for more flexibility and future-proofing.
Note: If you’ve used the previous beta version, you’ll need to reinsert it before support ends in WooCommerce 10.2.

The latest WooCommerce update is making things easier for both users and administrators. 

Most importantly, accessibility and efficiency improvements provide a smoother customer journey.

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If you’d like help turning these features into real gains for your business, book a call with one of our WordPress consultants. Or email hello@fellowship.agency.

The Challenge of Managing SEO for Multiple Websites

Managing SEO across multiple websites is complex, requiring a tailored SEO strategy to drive traffic, improve rankings and increase visibility, all without competing with each other. There is a lot more to consider than just optimising keywords; it can take a significant amount of time and resources if there is no strategy in place.

Utilising WordPress Multisite can help streamline these efforts. You can manage multiple websites from a single dashboard, making it easy to structure and optimise your sites for improved search engine visibility.

What is WordPress Multisite Used For?

WordPress Multisite is the best way to manage multiple websites through a single installation. It streamlines website management with shared themes, plugins, and centralised content updates. Managing multiple websites under a single CMS platform allows businesses to operate more efficiently, saving them time, money and hassle.

It’s widely used by:

• Companies with multiple brands
• Companies with multiple sub-brands
• Companies with one brand but multiple business units or departments
• Companies with multiple microsites
• Global companies with international websites
• Companies with franchises
• Companies with different distributors or dealers
• Companies that serve different customer segments

While WordPress Multisite simplifies website management, there are some SEO considerations, such as how search engines treat individual sites and how to optimise visibility across the network.

How to do an SEO Audit Across Multiple Websites

Before tackling SEO improvements across your websites, you need an SEO audit to identify the opportunities and issues. Here are some quick tasks that will give you a better understanding of your sites.

1. Assess Your Websites’ Indexing & Crawlability

Regularly check your sites for indexing issues and remove any barriers that may affect crawling. This will help search engines discover your content and rank the site effectively.

Index Your Site

Use an SEO tool to scan each site and verify that it is appropriately indexed. If issues arise, inspect your URLs and sitemaps. You should also ensure that robots.txt and meta tags do not block your important pages.

Broken Links & Redirects

Identify any broken links, redirects, and 404 errors, and address these issues to improve user experience.

Internal Linking

Review any internal linking opportunities while building your backlink strategy. This will help enhance your indexing and crawlability.

Suggested SEO Tools/Plugins

Free: Google Search Console

Paid: Screaming Frog

2. Review Your On-Page SEO

Make it a habit to keep your on-page SEO content consistent, using well-structured headings, relevant keywords, meta tags, and internal links. This ensures that both users and search engines efficiently process your pages.

Review Title Tags, Meta Descriptions & Headers

Start by reviewing your title tags, meta descriptions, and headers to ensure they are unique, and then check them against your keyword strategy to identify any opportunities for improvement.

Structure Your Data

Structuring your data, such as using schema markups, can improve visibility by adding more context to your content for search engines to assess. By doing this, it can lead to your content being featured in rich snippets, FAQs etc. Ultimately, increasing your click-through rate (CTR) and driving qualified traffic to your websites. 

Alt Tags

Optimised images with descriptive alt tags are often overlooked, however they can significantly boost page speed and also enhance overall visibility and accessibility, which also contributes to better SEO by helping search engines understand the content. To further enhance performance and user experience across devices, start using modern formats like WebP, compressing your file sizes and apply lazy loading across your sites. 

Suggested SEO Tools/Plugins

Free: RankMath

Paid: Yoast SEO

3. Analyse Your Websites’ Performance

How your websites perform is critical to ensuring a good user experience and healthy conversions.

Test Site Speed

This typically begins with testing your site’s page speed and mobile responsiveness, which can be done using Google PageSpeed Insights. This tool quickly identifies any issues on your site that may lead to slow load times, while also measuring usability across different devices.

CSS / JavaScript

To keep multiple websites running efficiently, you can minimise unused CSS, JavaScript and optimise large media files, as these factors can often be major contributors to slow page speeds.

WordPress Multisite Analytics

If you are already running WordPress Multisite, then you can integrate Google Analytics (GA4) to easily streamline your analytics tracking across your multisite network without manual coding. Using a plugin like MonsterInsights can allow you to view analytics within the WordPress dashboard, making it easier to manage and monitor performance gaps. 

Suggested SEO Tools/Plugins

Free: Google PageSpeed Insights, GA4

Paid: WP Rocket, MonsterInsights

4. Competitive Benchmarking: Analysing SERP Data

Are you keeping up with the competition? Understanding your competitors’ performance will help you identify gaps in your content, allowing you to take appropriate action. 

Steps to Benchmark Competitor SEO Performance

1. Identify Top-Ranking Pages

You can use a free tool like Google Search to identify the top results related to your keywords on your website. For a faster and more in-depth analysis, consider using paid tools like SE Ranking or SEMrush. They can provide detailed insights into your competitor’s keywords and strategies, helping you uncover opportunities for growth and improved visibility.

When analysing the competitors at the top of the results pages, you need to consider their content themes, the type of content and the content structure. By understanding what makes their content perform well, you can create a strategic guide to help you produce content that competes effectively with top-performing results.

2. Analyse On-Page SEO Factors

When analysing competitors’ on-page SEO, it is essential to assess the title tags, meta descriptions, and H1 headings used by your competitors, as these are usually key indicators of their keyword targeting and content focus.

Additionally, assess your competitors’ content structure to see if they are optimising their content for featured snippets, which is usually in the form of concise answers, bullet points, numbered lists and tables. Understanding how your competitors are using this strategy will help you to define your own.

3. Evaluate Domain & Backlink Strength

If you want to evaluate the authority of your top-ranking competitors, use tools like Ahrefs or Majestic to analyse their Domain Authority (DA) and take a deep look into their backlink profile. You want to assess the quantity and quality of these domain links, particularly those from strong, authoritative sources.

Identifying the high-authority domains that link to your competitors will provide a solid foundation for developing an outreach strategy to boost your site’s credibility and visibility in search results through effective link building.

4. Assess Content Depth & UX

How do top-performing websites’ structure and content compare to your own? Are you missing anything? Compare word count, media usage (including videos, images, and infographics), and interactive or engagement features such as FAQs, tables, and schema markup. This will provide a good assessment of content gaps and UX barriers on your website, as these elements can significantly impact dwell time, user experience, and SEO performance.

Developing an SEO Strategy for Multiple Sites

A multiple website SEO strategy needs to consider the unique objectives of each site. The overall vision may be the same, but each site will have individual goals, such as audience types, unique KPIs, localisation and content plans, therefore requiring a flexible approach with customised SEO plans for each. 

For example, an E-commerce site will likely focus on measuring conversion rates, whereas a content-focused site may concentrate on engagement metrics. Understanding the specific goals of each site is essential for developing an effective and targeted SEO strategy.

Optimising Keywords for Multiple Websites

To effectively rank multiple websites and improve visibility, your keywords need to be distributed accordingly across your sites and optimised correctly; otherwise, it could result in your websites competing against each other and a loss of performance.

What is Keyword Cannibalisation?

Keyword cannibalisation occurs when multiple pages on the same domain compete for the same keyword search term, negatively impacting rankings. This is because search engines are unable to identify the most relevant page for that specific search term.

How to Avoid Keyword Cannibalisation

Here are some steps to take to ensure each site is optimised for keywords:

Assign Unique Keyword Strategies

Assign each site a unique keyword strategy. This will ensure that you avoid internal competition in search rankings and give each site a focus area, niche or audience segment. Spread your visibility and improve your website traffic.

Use Location-Based SEO

If you have regional websites targeting different markets, you need to leverage localised SEO, as this will optimise for local keywords, cultural nuances, and geographical signals relevant to each market. This will enhance your local visibility and ensure your user experience is relevant for different locations.

Implement Canonical Tags

When managing multiple sites, you will often have overlapping or duplicate content which can impact rankings. To avoid this, ensure that you apply canonical tags to indicate the original source to search engines. This ensures proper attribution for SEO value.

Tailor Content to Distinct Audience Segments

Rather than duplicating content across multiple websites, your messaging should be tailored for each audience, specific to their needs, interests and behaviours. By personalising your content in this way, you will enhance user engagement across all sites.

Backlink Strategy

Backlinks are vital for SEO, as they help search engines determine a website’s authority, trustworthiness and relevance. A strong backlink profile from authoritative and industry-relevant sources will enhance your domain authority, improving rankings and visibility. 

Here are some steps to start improving your backlink strategy:

Internal Linking

Internal linking should never be used excessively, as this will weaken its SEO value. When strategically used and with purpose, they can help users navigate content on your site seamlessly and help distribute link equity efficiently from one page to another.

Unique External Backlinks

Each of your websites should build its external backlink profile to establish its independent authority. With distinct backlink profiles, each site will be able to focus on its niche keywords and audience without overlapping with other websites.

Off-Site SEO Strategies

To enhance your domain credibility, invest in both on-site and off-site SEO equally; guest blogging, digital PR, and partnerships are just a few examples that can help.

Earning backlinks from reputable publications, industry-related websites or influencers can boost visibility and help stand out against competitors in SERPs (Search Engine Results Pages).

Domain Structure: A Strategic Choice

Your domain structure can significantly impact both user experience and SEO.

With the proper structure, it can help users easily navigate your website and find relevant content quickly. 

Search engines will be able to crawl and index your site more efficiently if the domains are well-organised, and this can help with improving visibility.

Each domain option comes with its benefits. Below is a table to help you assess which one is most suited for you:

Domain Structure	SEO Benefits	Considerations	Best Use Case
ccTLDs (Country Code Top Level Domain) (yoursite.co.uk)	Targeting specific markets.	Requires more resources to maintain; separate SEO strategies needed	Ideal for businesses with substantial presence and marketing in specific countries, where strong localisation and regional branding are priorities.
Subdomains (uk.yoursite.com)	Provides flexibility, separates distinct content and audiences.	Google treats subdomains as separate sites, requiring more SEO effort	Suitable for businesses aiming for a unified brand with regional content customisation, balancing management simplicity and localisation.
Subdirectories (yoursite.com/uk)	Consolidates SEO efforts under a single domain/website.	Shared SEO impact; saving time and money, although changes to one site can affect others	Best for businesses prioritising SEO authority consolidation and cost efficiency, with moderate localisation needs. Ideal for businesses with smaller marketing teams and limited resources.

When deciding which domain structure best aligns with your business, it is essential to consider the time and resources you can dedicate to managing and optimising your websites, as this can significantly impact your SEO performance. You will also need to factor in your future growth plans and ensure that your domain choice supports scalability and aligns with your strategic goals.

Emerging AI Strategies

While traditional SEO remains the core foundation for ensuring performance, authority and credibility, AI-powered tools are changing user search behaviour. To stay competitive in this already crowded landscape, businesses must adapt and embrace emerging strategies to enhance on-site user experience and overall visibility. 

Below are two AI-driven strategies to enhance your overall SEO approach for multiple websites:

What Are AI Chatbots?

AI Chatbots provide real-time, personalised assistance for users visiting your sites. By leveraging programmed knowledge bases and analysing valuable insights from user search queries and behaviour, they can guide users to relevant content quickly and efficiently. 

How Do AI Chatbots Help With SEO?

AI Chatbots do not directly impact search rankings; however, they do have a significant impact on user experience and engagement, which are essential factors to your overall SEO strategy. 

The SEO benefits of AI Chatbots:

1. Boost User Engagement: Real-time, interactive conversations are keeping users engaged on your website for longer.
2. Bounce Rate Reduction: Seamless navigation directs users to relevant content or answers quickly and efficiently, reducing the risk of users dropping off after visiting a single page. 
3. Enhanced User Experience (UX): Quick and efficient support, with no obstacles, will improve overall user satisfaction.
4. Optimised Internal Linking: The internal linking structure can be significantly improved as AI Chatbots guide users to relevant content based on their search queries. This enhances content discoverability and distributes link equity. 
5. Increased Return Visits: A seamless and responsive experience will increase the chances of returning visitors.
6. Data Collection: Data collected from user search queries can be analysed to improve keyword strategy and content.

How Do You Optimise for AI Chatbots?

To make your AI Chatbot’s life easier, you need to ensure your website is optimised by:

• Structuring your content.
• Using natural and conversational language.
• Incorporating Q&A formats.

A fast, mobile-friendly website is also essential in supporting the effective delivery of the AI Chatbot, allowing it to navigate users through content quickly without delays.

What is Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO)?

GEO is all about making your content discoverable and referenced by AI-powered tools, such as ChatGPT, Perplexity, or Copilot. 

Search engines are increasingly incorporating AI-generated results, with 88% of Google AI overviews targeting informational queries. It’s more important than ever to ensure your content is optimised for these searches as the landscape starts to evolve. 

What’s the Difference Between Emerging GEO and Traditional SEO?

Key Factors	GEO	SEO
Targets	AI Engines (Chat GPT, Gemini).	Search Engines (Google, Bing).
User Interaction	AI engines answer direct queries, often bypassing the need for clicks and redirecting to trusted sources.	Traditional search engine users will click on search engine results to visit websites for information.
Output Focus	Influence AI-generated answers, summaries, and articles.	Improve visibility and rankings on Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs).
Traffic Source	Citations and references in AI responses.	Direct website visits.
Updates	Continuous model training.	Quarterly or yearly algorithm updates.

How Do You Optimise for GEO?

Generative Engine Optimisation focuses specifically on content structure, accuracy, and the use of concise, authoritative, and natural language that can be cited in AI-driven responses. 

Unlike traditional SEO, which is primarily focused on optimising for keyword-based searches using conventional methods, such as thorough keyword research, acquiring high-quality backlinks, quality content and implementing technical SEO best practices.

The core foundation that SEO and GEO share is that they both require you to ensure the content you deliver has quality, as well as ensuring your content is structured and readable for both users and search/AI engines.

It’s not about choosing one or the other; by leveraging these two optimisation strategies, you can ensure that your content is visible across traditional search engines and AI engines. If you do not adapt to these emerging technologies, you risk losing visibility altogether as they begin to take over.

Measurement, Tracking & Reporting

To effectively manage SEO across multiple websites and ensure optimal performance, it is essential to monitor each site regularly. By doing this, you will be able to make data-driven decisions using real-time information and changing audience behaviours, allowing your strategy to evolve.

Below are some key points to keep improving your strategy:

Track Key Performance Indicators (KPI)

Firstly, you need to agree on which KPIs are essential for measuring success in your strategy. You can use various tools to identify and measure these KPIs, such as Google Analytics (Free), Google Search Console (Free), or SE Ranking (Paid).

Here is a list of the most commonly used metrics to help measure success:

• Keyword rankings
• Organic traffic
• Bounce rates
• Conversion rates

By understanding these metrics, you will gain insights into how users interact with your website and identify performance issues.

Adaptive SEO Strategy

SEO is a continuous task that requires an adaptive approach. With trends and customer behaviours constantly changing, it is vital to regularly review data to identify underperforming content and shifting user intent. This will ensure that you are proactively optimising pages and campaigns while staying reactive to any sudden changes. 

Analytics Reporting

Regular reports will provide consistent data to support tactical decision-making and also provide visibility for key stakeholders. Performance reports provide transparency, build confidence and align teams to a shared goal.

Build for Long-Term Success

Measurement is about more than just tracking; it’s about interpreting the data and optimising for growth. By establishing a routine of conducting regular performance reviews, acting on data, and keeping stakeholders informed, you can create a sustainable framework for managing SEO across multiple websites and scaling them effectively.

FAQs About WordPress Multisite SEO & Plugins

Do I need an SEO plugin for WordPress?

Yes, SEO plugins like Yoast or RankMath help optimise on-page SEO, sitemaps, and content readability while providing structured data markup.

Is WordPress Multisite good for SEO?

Yes, WordPress Multisite can be good for SEO when appropriately managed, offering centralised control with the flexibility to optimise each site individually or collectively, depending on your chosen domain structure.

Do I need WordPress Multisite?

Yes, if you manage multiple websites and require time efficiency, then WordPress Multisite is an ideal solution because it allows centralised management, shared themes and plugins, and efficient content updates.

Get expert support from our WordPress Multisite specialists

Our team of WordPress Multisite specialists have a proven track record in helping businesses become more efficient using bespoke WordPress solutions. Their deep understanding, combined with their client-first approach, has enabled our clients to scale effectively.

Review your website requirements today. Book a call with one of our team members. Or email hello@fellowship.agency.

Introduction to WordPress Multisite

If you’re managing multiple websites, WordPress Multisite could be the perfect solution to help you streamline your online operations. But what is WordPress Multisite? And how does it compare with having multiple single sites?

In this WordPress Multisite guide, we’ll explain its advantages, look at situations where it excels, and how to assess if it’s the right fit for your business.

What is WordPress Multisite?

WordPress Multisite lets you create and manage multiple websites from a single WordPress installation. It gives you centralised control over themes, plugins, and content, and it makes it easier to expand and manage your website network.

WordPress Multisite Features

• Single Dashboard – Manage all sites in one place, without the need to login to multiple platforms.
• Shared Themes & Plugins – Apply themes and plugins across all your websites, ensuring brand consistency and effortless updates.
• User Role Management – Assign different permissions to site admins, editors, and contributors.
• Scalability – Add new sites quickly and easily without having to set up new WordPress installations.
• Custom Domain Mapping – Each site can have its own domain name, either through ccTLDs (country code top-level domain), subdomains, or subdirectories. Each has their own benefits depending on your core business strategy. More information can be found in the SEO section.
• Content Syndication & Network-Wide Updates – Share and update content across all of your sites easily and efficiently.
• Security & Compliance – One security system protects the entire network, reducing the risk of vulnerabilities.
• Multilingual & Regional Site Support – Brands serving international markets can easily manage localised content and translations within one platform.
• Shared Database – Secure all websites using a centralised automated backup system and initiate a quick recovery process in case of any threats or weaknesses.

Why Use WordPress Multisite?

WordPress Multisite works really well for a variety of organisations with different business models. Its powerful features enable businesses to scale seamlessly, maintain flexibility, and improve operational efficiency. By reducing the impact of website management, marketing teams can focus on the core objectives to help the business grow.

When to use WordPress Multisite: Ideal Scenarios

Companies with multiple brands – Many group companies and large businesses manage multiple brands, each with their own dedicated website. 

This is commonly seen in industries such as consumer goods, automotive and hospitality, where they target several customer segments or markets.

Companies with multiple sub-brands – Companies with a complex brand architecture which include multiple sub-brands, need to ensure their websites align with the hierarchy of the primary brand. 

Virgin is a typical example of this type of setup, with 15 sub-brands, each targeting specific markets with a dedicated website. 

Companies with one brand but multiple business units or departments – When a business has multiple units or departments, dedicated websites can tailor content to specific customer needs or regional preferences.

A financial services company might choose to maintain separate websites for retail banking, investments, and insurance. This allows each site to focus on its core message and improves the overall user experience.

Companies with multiple microsites – Microsites are ideal for creating specific marketing campaigns, events, or product launches. They can engage a specific, targeted audience without distractions from the primary site. 

Adidas consistently uses this method to promote product launches, collaborations and campaigns.

Global brands with dedicated international websites – Global companies typically create separate websites for different countries or regions. Each site has to reflect the local language and culture while adapting to changing consumer behaviours in that area. This must all be maintained while also staying aligned with global brand standards. 

IKEA is a globally recognised brand which operates in 63 countries; each country has its own robust localised strategy to boost search performance. 

Companies with franchises – Franchises require each site to comply with the primary brand guidelines but with flexibility for a localised strategy. A centralised system needs to ensure brand consistency across the network. 

Dream Doors is a home improvements business with 100 franchises across the UK, each requiring a shared theme and resources.

Companies with distributors/dealers – Manufacturers and product companies typically have a network of distributors or dealers, each of which needs its own website. While these sites may be managed independently, they have to reflect the brand’s core objectives and provide a unified and seamless user experience. 

Flexiteek is a synthetic boat decking manufacturer that has grown over time, building a network of distributors across more than 50 countries, with dedicated country sites translated into the local language.

Companies that serve different customer segments – Companies operating in both B2B and B2C markets may require separate websites to serve specific customer needs. A centralised management system allows for easy content updates and tailored messaging, helping them target different customer segments without compromising their brand. 

Coca-Cola is a global distributor which has multiple websites serving different customer segments, providing a unique experience for their customers, investors, job seekers and enthusiasts.

How WordPress Multisite Works: A Technical Overview

WordPress Multisite is a structured platform which organises websites, users, content, and domains within a single network. Whether you’re planning to set up 2 or 200 websites within a network, these core components form the foundation of how your multisite network operates and scales. 

Core Components of WordPress Multisite

What are the WordPress User Roles?

Just like single WordPress installations, WordPress Multisite’s default user roles are made up of 5 levels which sit below the Super Admin:

1. Administrator
2. Editor
3. Author
4. Contributor
5. Subscriber

The Administrator manages specific websites in the multisite network, controlling site-specific settings, content and user roles. Their permissions are limited to their dedicated sites, with no access to the network-wide configurations.

WordPress Super Admin

The WordPress Super Admin has the highest level of control, overseeing the entire multisite network. This person manages primary network settings, themes, plugins and user permissions. They also have the authority to add or remove websites within the network.

Shared Database Structure

WordPress Multisite uses a single database for the entire network, each site with its own set of tables, differentiated by unique prefixes (e.g., wp_2_posts, wp_3_users). This setup allows developers to make changes and apply it across the entire WordPress Multisite network quickly and efficiently. 

Themes and Plugin Management

WordPress Multisite themes and plugins are installed at a network level by the Super Admin. They have the authority to activate themes and plugins across the entire network, and make updates simultaneously, simplifying updates and ensuring consistency.

Domain Mapping and URL Structures

Within the WordPress Multisite network, the parent site has a ccTLD domain, (example.com) which is shared with all other subsites below it.

A Super Admin can change the configuration of the structure if they want the subsites to display as separate entities, such as a subdomain (site1.example.com) or a subdirectory (example.com/site1). Each structure has distinct implications for SEO and site management. More information can be found in the SEO section below.

SEO Considerations for WordPress Multisite

WordPress Multisite can improve your SEO. With the right strategy and structure in place you can centralise your SEO efforts across your network of sites. Here are the key SEO factors to consider when managing multiple websites.

How WordPress Multisite Affects SEO

Why Domain Structure Matters

Choosing the right domain structure is crucial to managing multiple websites effectively. Each domain has its own value, whether you are building a portfolio of unique brands or optimising your sites for SEO, your domain choice can impact visibility and performance.

Let’s look at the different options available:

• ccTLDs (example.com) – Best for businesses with distinct brand identities but still needing centralised management.
• Subdomains (site1.example.com) – Google treats these as separate websites, meaning they require independent SEO strategies.
• Subdirectories (example.com/site1) – Helps consolidate domain authority, making each site easier to rank.

Duplicate Content & Canonicalisation

Businesses with multiple sites will often share similar content. In this case, it is vital to use canonical tags to prevent content duplication penalties.

If you have multilingual sites with similar content it is important that you implement hreflang tags. This will help search engines display the correct version to the user and help to avoid content duplication penalties. 

Backlink Strategy

You should ensure that you limit interlinking between your network of websites, as excessive linking can be perceived by Google as spam. You should focus your efforts on building authoritative backlinks from external sources to help improve your site performance and rankings.

Sitemap & Indexing Considerations

Each website needs to have its own XML sitemap submitted on Google Search Console to ensure that it’s properly indexed. Make sure you adjust robots.txt settings to prevent low-value pages from being indexed.

A well-structured site map ensures your sites are properly tracked for better SEO insights into indexing issues, search performance, and page coverage.

Want to know more about how to manage SEO for multiple websites? Read our focused guide: How to Manage SEO for Multiple Websites. It provides deeper insights into audits, keyword strategy, domain structure, and AI-driven tactics.

WordPress Multisite vs. Multiple Single Sites

Before opting for WordPress Multisite, you should compare it carefully against having multiple single sites to see if this solution is right for you. Our comparison table highlights the features and benefits of both options.

Feature	WordPress Multisite	Multiple Single Sites
Ease of Management	Centralised dashboard to manage multiple sites.	Each site has its own separate dashboard.
User Management	Shared users across network with role-based access.	Users must be created separately for each site.
Plugin & Theme Management	Installed once and can be activated network-wide.	Each site manages its own plugins and themes.
Customisation & Flexibility	Subsites can have unique themes and settings while benefiting from centralised management and consistency.	Each site has full control over themes, plugins, and settings, operating independently from other sites.
Performance & Resources	Efficient resource sharing across sites, reducing duplication and improving management. However, heavy traffic on one site may impact others if not optimised.	Each site has dedicated resources, ensuring performance is independent but requiring separate optimisations.
Security Management	Centralised security updates ensure consistency, though issues on one site can impact others if not managed properly.	Sites are isolated, reducing shared risks, but security must be handled separately.
Backup & Restore	A unified backup process streamlines management, ensuring all sites are backed up together. Restoration applies across the network for consistency.	Each site has its own independent backup and restore process, offering greater control but requiring separate management.
SEO & Domains	Multisite enables centralised SEO control for consistency across subsites while supporting subdomains, subdirectories, and unique domains.	Each site has its own domain by default, offering independent SEO control.
Hosting Flexibility	All sites share the same hosting environment, simplifying management and reducing costs.	Each site can be hosted separately with different providers if needed.
Database Structure	A shared database ensures efficient data handling and content sharing across all subsites. Each subsite has its own tables for separation.	Each site has a fully independent database, providing complete isolation but requiring separate management.
Scalability	Ideal for quickly creating and managing multiple sites, especially when they share similar content or functionality.	Each site scales independently based on its own traffic and resource needs.
Cost Efficiency	More cost-effective for hosting and maintenance, as resources are shared across all subsites.	Can be more expensive, with separate hosting and maintenance required for each site.
Best For	Large business, group companies, global brands and franchises.	Small businesses, independent sites or personal bloggers.

Summary

If you are managing multiple websites, WordPress Multisite offers a streamlined solution by providing centralised management, allowing the user to efficiently update content across all sites. It is particularly beneficial for large businesses, such as enterprises, group companies, or franchises. The ability to easily create and manage multiple sites makes it a favourable option for businesses looking for flexibility to scale quickly. 

Single WordPress sites provide complete independence, making them ideal for businesses that require full control over their hosting, security, and performance. While this flexibility is useful for businesses with single websites, it comes with higher maintenance overheads when managing multiple sites separately.

Choosing between the two depends on the level of control, scalability, and centralisation required. For those overseeing multiple interrelated websites, WordPress Multisite is often the more efficient and cost-effective choice. 

Still unsure if this is the right solution for you? Download our white paper: ‘How to Manage Multiple Websites Effectively’, where you’ll find insights and guidance on choosing the right structure, managing teams and workflows, and avoiding common pitfalls at scale.

WordPress Multisite Industry Trends & Insights

A recent report from BigBite agency highlighted WordPress as an increasingly popular CMS platform within the industry and considered a robust option for developers and businesses looking to establish a strong, long term online presence. 

• There is a growing demand for WordPress as 55% of enterprises opted for it as their preferred CMS platform, that’s a 17% increase from the previous year.
• 24% of users favoured the multisite capabilities and regarded it as a ‘very important’ factor when choosing WordPress. 22% considered it ‘quite important’.
• 75% of businesses prioritised functionality in their WordPress solutions.
• WordPress’s functionality was a key factor for many businesses, with 75% considering it as a priority. 
• A website needs to be able to deliver a return. 72% of enterprises using WordPress saw a strong ROI (return on investment).
• CMS platforms must integrate seamlessly with other tools and software. 96% of businesses confirmed that WordPress works effortlessly with their systems; this is essential for companies managing large or complex digital networks.

WordPress Multisite Example: Xplor Technologies’ Multisite Implementation

Xplor Technologies is a global SaaS provider, with the objective of helping businesses grow. Their solutions cater to various industries, from education, fitness & wellbeing to field services and personal services. They operate across 20 markets and continue to scale.

The Challenge:

Xplor struggled to manage 26 separate websites across different platforms. Each site required a large investment of time to manage separately, from maintenance to security updates, and content management. This impacted the marketing team’s ability to perform efficiently while inflating their overhead costs for the business.

Their singular sites were unable to share resources, such as themes, templates, content blocks and plugins, resulting in brand inconsistencies. Their SEO was also fragmented as they had multiple domains competing with each other.

This restricted Xplor’s ability to scale quickly as it left little room for flexibility. They required a solution that would optimise their workflow and improve their online performance, at pace.

Fellowship’s WordPress Multisite Solution:

We redesigned and built over 20 new websites into a centralised WordPress Multisite network, allowing them to manage multiple regional and brand websites from a single CMS dashboard.

Key WordPress Multisite features include the ability to share branding elements (themes, templates, and global content blocks) and other resources, such as plugins, security and hosting.

By consolidating all their sites under one platform, they were able to efficiently streamline their operations to save time, money and hassle.

Results:

• Increased efficiency, as content updates can now be applied across all sites instantly.
• Faster deployment of new website pages, allowing flexibility to scale the business.
• Higher SEO rankings, with localised content improving regional visibility.
• Reduced hosting & maintenance costs, as all sites are managed from a single platform.
• Centralised login to manage all their sites from a single dashboard.
• Shared themes to maintain brand consistency across all the sites in the network. 
• Automated security updates applied across all sites, improving security and resilience. 

Is WordPress Multisite Right for You?

If you’re still unsure whether WordPress Multisite is the right choice, answer the following questions: 

1. Do you manage multiple websites with shared branding, themes, or plugins?
2. Would you benefit from centralised control instead of separate installations?
3. Are you looking to reduce maintenance and hosting costs?
4. Do you require user role management across multiple sites?
5. Will your organisation need to scale rapidly by adding new websites under the same infrastructure?
6. Are you spending too much time on content and plugin updates across all your websites?

If you answered YES to two or more of these, WordPress Multisite could benefit your business.

FAQs About WordPress Multisite

What is the difference between single site and multisite in WordPress?

A single WordPress site stands alone. WordPress Multisite allows you to manage multiple sites from one installation.

When not to use WordPress Multisite?

Avoid WordPress Multisite if each website requires separate databases, entirely different themes, plugins, or functionalities that don’t integrate into a shared network.

How many sites can WordPress Multisite handle?

There’s no technical limit—many organisations run hundreds or even thousands of sites in a single Multisite network.

Get Expert Guidance from Our WordPress Consultants

With over 20 years of experience building high-performing WordPress websites, our WordPress consultants are ready to help your business overcome the challenges and start improving its online digital presence. Our client-first approach ensures our team is committed to understanding your business to deliver impactful results.

Review your website requirements today. Book a call with one of our WordPress consultants. Or email hello@fellowship.agency.

Trends in Customer Behaviour

Chocolate sales forecasts for Easter 2025 are showing mixed results, shaped by economic factors, shifting consumer tastes, and market conditions.

Yet UK shoppers alone are still predicted to spend a staggering £2.3 billion this Easter on food, drink, gifts and of course, the nation’s favourite, chocolate.

Here’s how seasonal demand can change and why user experience matters for your website.

Change in Customer Behaviour over Easter

Rising Cocoa Prices, Growing Taste for Luxury

Cocoa prices have surged 143% year-on-year, but this hasn’t dampened consumer demand. Brands are adapting and moving towards premium products to justify the higher costs. 

Traditional egg sales are down 12% according to Reapp, and now nearly 46% of shoppers are planning to buy luxury eggs.

Sustainability Drives Conversions

Customers have become more eco-conscious when selecting goods, packaging and ethical sourcing have become major factors in buying decisions according to a UK consumer report by Vypr.

Extended Seasonal Sales

With Easter falling later this year (April 20), this has presented an opportunity for retailers to extend their promotions and maximise on sales.

Why User Experience Matters for your Website

Having the right product doesn’t cut it, you need to be able to present it and sell it. Your website needs to reflect the customer buyer behaviour and their needs, otherwise there will be many missed opportunities to convert sales. 

Here’s an example of how Easter’s seasonal demand can shape your website’s user experience:

Reflect Luxury Products Through Website Design

If you sell luxury chocolate, ask yourself, does your website reflect this? If it doesn’t, then this can minimise consumer trust in your product. 

Use high-end imagery and video, tell your brand’s story and create clear call to actions to build trust, justify the higher price tag and make them feel like they are investing in something amazing.

Eco Value Trust Signals

If your business applies ethical sourcing or incorporates sustainable packaging for its products then you need to make this clear on your website. 

You can use icons, filters and product descriptions across your site to make this obvious and build trust with your customers as this encourages more conversions. 

Use Promotions and UX Nudges to Drive Conversions

With extended seasonal periods, consumers have more time to shop, which means they have more opportunity to shop around with competitors. 

You need to create a sense of urgency, offer early bird discounts and last minute deals. You can use pop up banners to promote offers or email sign ups. Use countdowns, filters, and smart product sorting to nudge users at every stage of the customer journey.

Optimise Website Speed & Mobile UX to Avoid Drop-Offs

Don’t make it difficult for the consumer, with every extra second wasted on slow loading pages or every added click, you could be reducing your conversion rate. 

Ensure your website is optimised, mobile first and fast loading. A smooth customer journey will help you maximise on every potential sale.

Ready to Improve Your Website’s User Experience This Easter?

In 2025, selling chocolate isn’t just about what’s on the shelf, it’s about how easy and enjoyable it is to buy it online. Seamless UX, strong digital storytelling, and a clear, value-driven design can turn browsers into buyers. Especially when quality, trust, and convenience matter more than ever.

Get Seasonal Sales Advice From Our WordPress Consultants

If you would like to find out more about how you can improve your website’s design and user experience to enhance your seasonal sales throughout the year, then book a call with our WordPress Consultants today, or email hello@fellowship.agency.

As specialists in E-commerce websites, we’re excited about WooCommerce’s new rebrand and positioning. They have evaluated their product, made some significant changes and focused on meeting their customers’ needs.

Why WooCommerce’s Rebrand Matters

WooCommerce is transitioning from a plugin-based system to a more integrated, scalable platform. This move puts it in direct competition with SaaS giants like Shopify and BigCommerce—but with one key advantage: control and flexibility.

What’s New With Woo:

1. A Brand Transformation

A strong brand is essential in the highly competitive world of e-commerce. WooCommerce has adopted a fresh approach to its identity, highlighting the importance of consistency, trust, and engagement, all of which will drive long term success. 

2. Committed to Customisation & Ownership

Unlike SaaS solutions that restrict flexibility, WooCommerce remains fully open-source. You retain ownership of your data, storefront, and integrations—ensuring you can scale on your terms.

3. A Seamless, User-Centric Experience

WooCommerce’s shift to an integrated platform means improved usability, performance, and out-of-the-box functionality. The focus is on faster, smoother store management to reduce friction and increase conversions.

What Woo’s Rebrand Means for Your Business

Whether you’re already using WooCommerce or considering it as your platform, this evolution brings real benefits:

• More Stability & Scalability – A streamlined system with improved core functionality and better performance.
• Full Flexibility & Control – No platform restrictions—customise and scale as needed.
• Enhanced User Experience – Intuitive tools and optimised workflows designed to make running an online store easier.

How We Can Help You

At Fellowship, we build high-performance WooCommerce websites that drive real business results. Our expertise in UX design, strategy, and E-commerce development ensures your brand isn’t just online—it’s optimised for growth.

Future-Proof Your E-commerce Strategy

Ready to take your E-commerce platform to the next level? Whether you need a new WooCommerce build, a brand refresh, or a smarter content strategy, we’re here to help.

To talk to our team about your E-commerce plans, call us on 01284 830888, or email hello@fellowship.agency.

How will your website perform in 2025? Many websites suffer from slow speeds, poor SEO, or outdated user experiences. Here are nine tips to ensure your website delivers your 2025 marketing goals.

Check your website’s performance

1. Audit Your Website Speed

• Test your website speed in minutes using a free tool like Google PageSpeed Insights to highlight key issues that may need addressing.
• Optimise large image files to reduce the impact on your loading time. Additionally, you can enable ‘lazy loading’ so that your images only load when the users reach them on your website.
• Enable browser caching through Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) like Cloudflare.

Pro Tip: Aim for a load time under 3 seconds to reduce bounce rates.

2. Focus On Mobile First

• Use SE Ranking’s free tool to check whether your site is mobile friendly.
• Simplify your navigation for smaller screens and optimise your buttons and links.

Pro Tip: Prioritise mobile first design as mobile traffic often dominates, and you will benefit from an SEO perspective.

3. Update Content for Relevance and Freshness

• Audit your existing pages and update them to ensure accuracy and value.
• Analyse your underperforming pages and refresh them.
• Create pillar pages for key topics to enhance internal linking and SEO.

Pro Tip: Use content gaps identified by competitors to create high value articles.

4. Strengthen Website Security

• Install an SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) on your website and ensure it is HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure), the secure version of HTTP.
• Update your CMS, plugins and themes regularly to reduce any security issues.
• Implement firewalls and set up 2FA (two-factor authentication).
• Schedule regular security audits to identify new vulnerabilities. 

Pro Tip: Add security badges to your website to build user trust. The SSL Certificate is a recognised badge that is commonly used on most websites.

5. Effortlessly Manage Multiple Websites

• Centralise the management of multiple websites through a single platform such as WordPress Multisite.
• Manage all content updates across your network from one dashboard. 
• Maintain brand consistency easily and efficiently.

Pro Tip: Consolidating websites under a multisite streamlines administrative tasks while providing flexibility for individual sites.

6. Conduct a Comprehensive SEO Audit

• Ensure your metadata is unique, keyword rich, and compelling.
• Check for broken links and fix 404 errors.
• Optimise header tags and structure content with H1s, H2s, and H3s.
• Use schema markup to enhance SERP visibility (e.g. FAQs, reviews).

Pro Tip: Use tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush for an in-depth SEO analysis.

7. Optimise for Accessibility

• Ensure compliance with WCAG 2.1 guidelines.
• Add alt text to images and ensure keyboard navigability.
• Use high contrast colours for text and backgrounds.
• Include captions or transcripts for multimedia content.

Pro Tip: Accessible websites improve UX for everyone and avoid legal risks.

8. Improve Core Web Vitals

• Focus on Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), First Input Delay (FID), and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS).
• Reduce server response times and use modern image formats (e.g., WebP).
• Minimise third party scripts that slow down your site.

Pro Tip: Core Web Vitals are a Google ranking factor, so optimising them boosts both UX and SEO.

9. Review Hosting and Infrastructure

• Ensure your hosting plan meets traffic demands for speed and uptime.
• Upgrade to managed hosting for enhanced performance and support.

Pro Tip: Downtime can damage your SEO and brand reputation – choose a supplier with a track record for reliability.

By following this checklist, you can continuously monitor your website’s performance, ensuring that it meets your needs and does not fall behind in 2025.

Need help implementing these fixes? Our expert dev team specialises in building and supporting high-performing websites. Call us today on 01284 830888, or email hello@fellowship.agency.

Is your business struggling to manage and maintain multiple websites?

Our newly published white paper, ‘How to Manage Multiple Websites Effectively’, addresses the many challenges faced by businesses like yours and explores multisite management solutions for a more centralised approach.

These are particularly acute for those businesses with multiple websites built on different platforms by different agencies.

The time taken to login, update and maintain consistent content, branding and messaging, as well as ensuring security is on point, is a massive drain on the time of marketing teams. On top of that, managing a multisite SEO strategy is going to be especially challenging without the right tools.

Typically, those businesses most affected are:

• Group companies or entities with multiple brands or websites.
• Organisations with various sub-brands, business units, departments, or microsites.
• Global companies serving international markets, franchises, or those with global distributors/dealers.

Our new white paper is an authoritative guide that covers:

• Effective brand and website architecture.
• Customer-centric web management strategies.
• SEO optimisation for multi-website entities.
• Tactics to enhance website SERP rankings.
• Best practices for international website and domain management.
• Time-saving techniques for content updates.
• Strategies to reduce web hosting and maintenance expenses.
• Security and resilience improvements for your web ecosystem.

Many of these challenges can be solved by moving to an integrated, single platform solution such as WordPress Multisite.

Don’t just take our word for it, here’s what Luke Handley, VP Corporate Marketing at Xplor Technologies says:

“Fellowship’s custom build makes it quick and easy to create pages. It’s a game changer for managing our business more efficiently and cost effectively.”

Download your FREE copy today

To learn more about multisite management solutions and how they can help save your business time, money and hassle, download our white paper now.

Is your website running on Drupal 7? If so, you have a problem as there is a big change coming.

What is happening with Drupal 7?

Drupal 7 security support will cease on the 5th January 2025. After this date there will be no security or compatibility updates available. If you are running this version of Drupal, it is critical that you migrate to a new CMS.

Otherwise, you risk significant data security problems, affecting customer trust and disrupting business processes. All of which could cost your business significant time, money and reputational damage.

If you are on Drupal 7 this could be the perfect time to migrate to WordPress. This CMS platform already powers 43% of websites and is trusted by businesses across the world, including NASA, the New York Times, Sony Music and the Observer. It’s a proven solution backed up by comprehensive security protection and support to ensure your business stays on track 24/7. 

As award winning WordPress specialists, we have partnered with large businesses for over 20 years using the WordPress CMS platform. It manages complex sites efficiently and is scalable and futureproof, thanks to the wide range of plugins available and ease of integration with back office systems. We’re also experts in WordPress Multisite and WooCommerce websites, enabling us to meet the needs of a diverse range of businesses.

To find out more about how we can migrate your website to WordPress, call us on 01284 830888 or email hello@fellowship.agency.

We’ll be delighted to talk you through the benefits of WordPress and how it can boost your business.

There’s going to be a huge change to the digital marketing landscape towards the end of 2024 and into early 2025, as Google begins to phase out third-party cookies. 

What are third-party cookies?

A cookie is a small piece of text-based data placed on your browser as you visit websites. 

First-party cookies are dropped by the website you are visiting. They’re mostly used to help improve functionality or monitor information about visitors. An example is storing a user’s account or shopping basket information on an eCommerce store. Without this, the shop simply wouldn’t function properly.

Third-party cookies are placed by a website other than the one you are visiting. Typically these are used to store information about you for marketing or analytical purposes. They may track you across multiple sites as you continue browsing.

Many websites use Google Analytics to gather data. When you visit a website, Google places cookies on your browser to pass information about your visit to Google Analytics, eg how you got to the site and what you did there. These are third-party cookies, because they are dropped by Google, not the website you are visiting.

Why is this change happening?

In an increasingly digital world, privacy is paramount and becoming ever more important to web users. People want to be in control of their data and trust they can browse the internet safely and securely. 

This shift in approach puts users and their privacy first, something many organisations have been pushing for. Mozilla and Apple have already begun this with their Firefox and Safari browsers. Google’s move to join in unites the world’s leading browser developers and strengthens the importance of these changes.

The evolution of Google’s ‘privacy first’ approach

Third-party cookies have long enabled advertisers to deliver personalised and targeted content. However, concerns over user privacy and data protection have led to increased scrutiny, plus calls for more transparent and ethical practices.

Google’s decision to phase out third-party cookies is part of a broader commitment to enhancing user privacy. It claims this will provide more control over personal data and create a more private and secure online experience.

What are the implications of phasing out third-party cookies? 

For site owners and digital marketers, the challenge of adapting to a cookieless future needs careful consideration. It will undoubtedly impact the effectiveness of targeted adverts, especially those with a more personalised approach. 

In the absence of granular user data, advertisers may need to focus on building direct relationships with their audience through first-party data collection.

Preparing for the future

The phasing out of third-party cookies is a pivotal moment for the digital marketing industry. 

As the industry begins to move away from traditional tracking methods, marketers and site owners are urged to embrace change and explore new ways to reach their target audiences. This means adapting to new technologies, prioritising first-party data, and respecting user privacy.

By embracing these changes, the future of online advertising and marketing promises to provide a more secure, respectful, and personalised user experience.