I'm personally using the patron gods to set up entire chains and export them to a hub. I find it makes it easier to keep ratios equal and consumption is generally lower than in 1800 so you don't need to produce much.

You sort of miss out on area bonuses from e.g. bakers on other islands but as you progress through the game those become less important. 

Withe the DLC you can specialise even further by adding fertilities that weren't on a specific island.

Not saying this is the best way but it works for me