Managing Multiple WordPress Sites: Tools and Strategies for Agencies

Managing a single WordPress site is relatively straightforward. But when you’re an agency handling multiple WordPress websites for various clients, things can get chaotic—fast. Security updates, plugin conflicts, backups, uptime monitoring, and client reporting all demand time and precision.

In this post, we’ll walk through the best tools, strategies, and workflows to simplify and streamline the management of multiple WordPress sites efficiently and professionally.

Why Managing Multiple Sites Can Be a Challenge

For agencies, juggling several WordPress websites means:

• Constant updates: Themes, plugins, and core files need frequent attention.

• Security risks: One outdated plugin across sites can expose them all.

• Performance monitoring: Uptime, speed, and user experience must be tracked.

• Client demands: Regular reports and updates are often required.

• Scaling complexity: As clients grow, so does your maintenance workload.

That’s where centralized management tools and smart strategies come in.

Top Tools for Managing Multiple WordPress Sites

1. ManageWP

ManageWP is one of the most popular all-in-one dashboards for managing multiple WordPress sites.

Key Features:

• One-click updates for plugins/themes

• Scheduled backups (with cloud storage)

• Uptime and performance monitoring

• Client reports

• SEO and security scans

Why Agencies Love It: Its intuitive interface, automation features, and pay-as-you-go pricing make it great for scaling with clients.

2. InfiniteWP

Tailored for agencies and developers, InfiniteWP runs from your own server, offering more control.

Key Features:

• Bulk plugin/theme/core updates

• Backup and restore

• White-labeling for client reports

• User management

• Malware scans (premium)

Why It Stands Out: It’s self-hosted, so you're not dependent on third-party platforms.

3. MainWP

MainWP is an open-source solution that runs from a WordPress dashboard and connects to multiple sites.

Key Features:

• Central dashboard plugin

• Extensive extensions library

• Bulk updates, backups, and performance checks

• Security tools (Sucuri, Wordfence integration)

• White-label support

Agency Advantage: Highly customizable with no per-site fees—ideal for large portfolios.

4. WP Remote

Developed by BlogVault, WP Remote is known for secure backups and site monitoring.

Key Features:

• Offsite backups

• Malware scanning and cleanup

• One-click updates

• Staging environment integration

Notable Benefit: Their premium plans include security and backup features powered by BlogVault’s infrastructure.

5. Jetpack Manage

From Automattic, Jetpack Manage allows remote management of WordPress sites connected via Jetpack.

Key Features:

• Centralized dashboard on WordPress.com

• Basic updates and monitoring

• Downtime alerts

• Plugin management

Best For: Agencies managing mostly Jetpack-enabled or WooCommerce sites.

Best Practices and Strategies for Managing Multiple WordPress Sites

✅ 1. Standardize Your Stack

Use a consistent set of:

• Plugins

• Themes

• Hosting providers

This ensures compatibility, reduces troubleshooting time, and makes onboarding new team members easier.

✅ 2. Create a Maintenance Workflow

Use task management tools (like Trello or Asana) to establish a regular routine:

• Weekly: Update plugins/themes, security sca

• Monthly: Performance audit, backup verification

• Quarterly: Plugin review, user role audit

Document everything in SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures).

✅ 3. Automate Everything You Can

Automation reduces human error and saves time. Use tools for:

• Scheduled backups

• Auto-updates for safe plugins

• Auto-generated client reports

Set up notifications for failures or critical issues only.

✅ 4. Centralize Client Reporting

Use tools like ManageWP or MainWP to generate monthly or weekly performance reports. Include:

• Uptime data

• Backup status

• Security checks

• Update logs

White-label reports add a layer of professionalism that builds trust.

✅ 5. Secure Every Site—Without Exceptions

For every site:

• Use SSL

• Implement two-factor authentication

• Limit login attempts

• Schedule malware scans

• Disable XML-RPC if not needed

Consider WordPress security plugins like Wordfence, iThemes Security, or Sucuri.

✅ 6. Use Version Control for Custom Sites

For sites with custom themes or plugins, use Git to track changes. Connect your GitHub or Bitbucket repositories to staging environments for smoother deployments.

✅ 7. Offer Tiered Maintenance Plans

If you’re not already offering ongoing maintenance packages, now is the time. Create 3-4 tiers with services like:

• Monthly backups

• Priority support

• Performance optimizations

• Security audits

Upsell these plans to your clients—it’s recurring revenue and adds long-term value.

✅ 8. Use a Reliable Hosting Partner

Choose hosting that supports:

• Staging environments

• Daily backups

• One-click restore

• Built-in caching/CDN

• Expert WordPress support

Top managed WordPress hosts for agencies: Kinsta, WP Engine, Flywheel, and SiteGround.

Final Thoughts

Managing multiple WordPress websites doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right tools and a standardized strategy, you can simplify tasks, increase productivity, and focus on growing your agency.

Whether you're managing 5 or 50+ sites, platforms like ManageWP, MainWP, or InfiniteWP help bring order to the chaos—while automation and smart workflows free you up to do more of what you do best.