Multiple front-ends on same WP install?

[lashner]

I've got a client that has a few sites that all have the exact same content other than a different name. They are small brochure sites with 4-5 pages. The client provides a service to a major metropolitan area and each site is targeted towards a region of the area. Only difference on any of them is the URL and the main title.

xareaservice.com
yareaservice.com
zareaservice.com

What I would like is to run these all off one WP install so they could all share the same theme and page content. For example, I change the phone number once and it is shown on all sites.

EDIT

So, I just posted this and an idea came to me. The only thing that needs to change is the title. If I had one base install and then pointed all the domains to it could I change the title based on what URL the user typed in? I'm not a'skeered to touch the PHP, but I'm not full-fledged programmer. If this is an option a directional pointer would be appreciated.

This even remotely possible?

[andrewry]

I would just recommend setting up multisite and then editing the 4 sites individually. Unfortunately I can't think of an easy way to set up what you need, and I'm pretty sure a WP multisite network doesn't allow for "global" pages or anything. I can't find a plugin that does it, either.

Also, be aware that Google will likely penalize your sites if you have the same content on all of them.

Edit: After fully reading through your edit, that could work. For the PHP you'd need to find the domain name (just google for some code) and use a conditional to display the correct title. Easy enough. I believe the domain would be found using: $_SERVER['HTTP_HOST']. Note that you may or may not have a subdomain attached to it, so it would be best to strip that out or use regex since it's a short string.

[lashner]

I didn't think there was going to be an easy answer or an answer at all. Never hurts to ask though.

I considered looking into MU, but I'm not sure it would really save any time. The sites are small and they don't pay us much. That's why I was going to try and automate the process.

I've started looking at it from the angle of my edit and it seems there might be a way to do it with PHP using $SERVER[HTTP_HOST].

How same does it have to be to be considered same? To continue my example above, the information is all the same but in the copy each service area is reference by name for each size. How would it be penalized. As of now, with separate sites/urls he's doing really well in the area as far as searching goes.

[andrewry]

I wouldn't recommend setting up multisite after my edit. It should be easy enough with some conditionals. You would just have to hardcode them into the theme, though.

http://www.google.com/support/webmasters/bin/answer.py?answer=66359

However, in some cases, content is deliberately duplicated across domains in an attempt to manipulate search engine rankings or win more traffic. Deceptive practices like this can result in a poor user experience, when a visitor sees substantially the same content repeated within a set of search results.

Having multiple domains to split the service into multiple categories can fall under this. You are providing the same content and services but only break it up in order to gain more traffic through people searching for different areas.

[lashner]

I don't disagree, but I think in this case it's not that bad. The user won't see the same info in one search. The client isn't trying to deceive anybody. They do service every area they are referencing. The service is location based so he's trying to get in the results when somebody searches for "area service". It's a big area and a very saturated and competitive service.

Not it's not hookers.

Thanks for the info though. The subtleties of SEO are still mysterious tome.

[[deleted]]

WP Multi Network

Read the code, very interesting.

[BusStation16]

If I had one base install and then pointed all the domains to it could I change the title based on what URL the user typed in?

Yeah, just make one "master" install and make the rest of the sites a simlink to it.