@All: First, being new to the forum, not 100% sure this is where I should post my project/issue. Let me know if I should move it elsewhere. Thanx. I'm a performer, songwriter and writer, launching 5 sites all focusing on music and writing endeavors. I just happen to be a a musician/songwriter who loves to write, and writing is a way to generate income while I work on new recordings. My main site is JerryFlattum.com. I've had the site for 5 years, and just recently tore it down with the goal of splintering the site into multiple sites. Currently a Woo theme is installed, but it's just a placeholder. An extensive array of content was removed and is now being revised for the new sites along with new content. There will be 5 sites in total. All of them are essentially blogs. I initially planned on creating the sites using sub-domains of the main site, JerryFlattum.com. I host with Hostgator, and of course, they allow unlimited sub-domains. Depending on budget, each site will eventually have its own dedicated domain. I don't fully know the advantages/disadvantages of dedicated vs. sub-domains. I'm assuming a dedicated domain is best but I technically don't know why. Following is a breakdown of the sites. Yes, I am looking for a Wordpress expert and/or web designer to help me get the sites up and running, and then developing the sites ongoing. But, until I find the right person, I'm tackling much of the work myself. I am wondering if the multiple site plugin for Wordpress is a good way to manage multiple sites. My initial goal is to get all sites up and running with basic configuration. I'd like to do as much of the work as possible and then hire someone to help when I get stuck. However, there are many features in configuring a Woo Theme, so I most likely need someone to help right from the start. 1) JerryFlattum.com - Focusing exclusively on me as a Performer/Songwriter, featuring original songs and a production music library database. NOTE: The production music library database can either be a part of the main site or have its own site, and it doesn't have to be a database. It was originally created as a database (see below). I need advice on the best way to create it. I don't know all the features available in the various Woo Themes, but suspected the Listings Theme might do the job. The recordings initially being presented are pre-production recordings, and are being replaced with new recordings. So for now, much of the site will focus on an up to the minute account of my current recording endeavors. Hence, a blog. The new recordings will be ready for commercial release and licensing (placing songs in films, TV shows, games, etc.).. 2) SwitchTrak - A production music library database. It was originally created as a database but that doesn't mean a database is required to re-create it. The original version is here: http://www.jerryflattum.com/Songs/switchtrak.php Click on both "Songs" and "SwitchTrak" in the menu on the left hand side. The database was built for me. I guided the construction in terms of features I wanted. I don't know how to create a database. The database was created a long time ago, and I'm certain there are many new creative ways to feature a library of production music. In fact, I'm hoping one of the Woo Themes is a solution in itself (perhaps the Listings Theme). No doubt there's even a great music player (multimedia player) app available that will do the job and I can just embed it in a section on the JerryFlattum.com site. 3) Global Entertainment In The 21st Century - This site is dedicated solely to a new eBook being published in Aug. 2013. Eventually I want to develop the site with a stronger marketing strategy, but for now I just want to make the book available for sale and/or provide links to other retail sites ((not sure if selling the book directly through my site or providing links to other retail sites--like Amazon--is the better strategy). A blog will definitely provide updates, news and information based on the contents of the book. Site needs to be multimedia friendly. 4) Entertainment Cyberscope - A portal and blog for all things behind-the-scenes in entertainment. The big picture goal is to turn a portal/blog into a virtual world. In fact, if I'm actually lucky enough to get the right kind of financing, I'd like to explore the virtual reality capabilities as well. Future plans for the site include massive content requiring database and search engine capability, all within a graphical environment. Virtual worlds seem to be controversial, but I believe they have tremendous potential. For now, it will simply have to serve as a blog and I'll build it manually until I can secure other sources of financing. The original version was born in a column I used to write on a popular songwriting website. Here's the link: http://www.musesmuse.com/ec.html It was discovering the Listings Theme as a way to build the Entertainment Cyberscope that attracted me to Woo Themes. 5) This Is Not My Planet - A blog for all my other writing, i.e. Ops/Eds, articles, lists, quotes, musings, etc. Menus need to include categories and sub-categories. I do not want to Archive by date. Other than that, it's a relatively simple blog site. I'll be adding a logo/artwork soon. Summary The initial goal is to get the sites up and running so I have a "visual" on all the sites. Ideally, I would like help taking each of the sites to maximum potential. In addition, I'm hoping the experience I gain and the help/guidance I get in launching multiple sites is something I can "pay forward." Very much looking forward to ongoing working relationships. I incorporated the Entertainment Cyberscope in 2011, but this was back in Florida. I'm now considering refiling as an LLC in California. I'm exploring the advantages/disadvantages of forming a company. If I do form a company, not sure how this needs to be reflected in the overall look and design of the site. For now, I plan on launching it as a "showcase," or beta version (if that's not too pretentious). I'd like to enter the MIDEM Startup Lab contest for 2013-2014. MIDEM takes place in France and is one of the largest music industry conferences and events. Entering the contest alone will help gain attention and possibly financing required to convert a blog/portal into a virtual world. I like adding alot of multimedia, and assume that most Woo Themes are graphics friendly. I know little about short codes, but it looks like they might offer a variety of content presentation solutions. I'm willing to do certain tasks if its within my capability. So, the right instructions, guidance and support might be all I need. Looking forward to your comments. -- Jerry Flattum
Hey Jerry, I definitely recommend you have different domains for each of your sites. I read through your whole post and it looks like you will have different blogs for different things. It's really not realistic to have multiple blogs on just one domain. People will not read all your different blogs or it will be too all over the place. The more focused each site is, the better. Regarding woothemes, I think they have pretty good support that should help you out. I run a web design company so if you need help, hit me up. We only do wordpress stuff. Right now I'm working through the domain of http://www.SimonSaysWebsites.com , but we are changing names quite soon. It sounds like you have a lot of passion for the sites you are building which is good. I was going to say it's a big leap to start running 4 or 5 different sites at once. You might want to try building 2 at the same time and put a lot of work into both of them and see where you are at after that. There's a lot of room for monetization overall and you don't want to be stretched too thin. Are these purely hobby type sites or are you thinking about making money from these? I think you might be stretching yourself thin with so many sites if this is your first time doing this. But who knows.. you may become the next internet music sensation from it. Good luck man.