Creating Master Site and Local Markets from Scratch

Requirements

In order to be able to use the Master Site the following modules are needed:

• Powershell module (select appropriate version for the Sitecore instance)

• Score version with MasterSite feature (SCORE - 3.x.x.x, SCOREUI 3.x.x.x, SCOREBOOTSTRA - 3.x.x.x)

• Install SCORE Bootstrap Site Cluster Scaffolding Automation - 3.x.x.x package

Terminology

Master Site is not a website, it is a collection of globally managed pages that are available in some (or all) markets. It should not be visible for site visitors. It is only indented for internal use only.

Local Markets are usually Country or Language specific markets. Once they are created they have proxies derived from the Master Site (these can’t be changed locally only in the Master Site), in case there is a need to create local copies that are used only for the local markets, it is possible.

Usage

After installing all the prerequisites you choose the Developer tab in the ribbon and select New Cluster:

Open

There will be a pop up that will allow you to add the cluster name and even remove the existing cluster.

Open

After the script is done working, you can select to see the script results and make sure that all 13 steps have been completed successfully.

This script will result in a Cluster with a Master Site creation under Content. There will be no local sites created.

After adding the mysite cluster, following shared items will be created under Cluster Root:

• Mastersite - this is where currently existing SCORE site should be moved to

• Shared Selections - Selections shared between Master Site and Local Markets

• Shared Keywords  - Keywords shared between Master Site and Local Markets

• Shared Snippets - Snippets shared between Master Site and Local Markets

• Shared Settings - Settings shared between Master Site and Local Markets

In order to add Local Markets select the clusters and the option for creating the local market will appear.

It is also possible to create Local Markets with Insert options. After creating the Local Market you can add the Local Market Name and select the Primary Language for the Market.

After creating local market, under each local market you will have a home item.

This is a Proxy item that cannot be edited on a Local Market. In order to be able to modify the proxy item you need to convert it to a local Copy item. This is done by selecting the item in the Local Market then in choosing Site Cluster in the ribbon and selecting “Create Local Copy“, the reverting process is the same only after selecting the item you want to revert to a proxy you need to click on “Revert To Master“

There are also options to sync the tree of a the Local Market to the Master Site tree.

Each Site has snippets and settings which can be created for the individual Local Market or Global under Cluster Name.

Option that is exclusive for the Local Markets is the “Hide from Local” That hides the item from the Local Market and After publishing, it will no longer be available as a page in the local site.

Additional Options

Deleting the Cluster is as easy as creating it. Under the Developer tab in the ribbon there is the New Cluster option that was used to create the it in the first place. The correct name needs to enter and the Remove Existing Cluster needs to be selected. After a refresh the Cluster will no longer be there.

Configuration Changes

Change the Sites.config and the Sites.Enviroment.config to reflect the name of the new MasterSite. Make sure to change the rootPath to point to the MasterSite. After adding additional Local Markets add them in the same manner.

IIS Bindings and Host File

Add IIS bindings for the new MasterSite or Local Market, and add the site url to the hosts file as well.

TDS items

When adding new items TDS.Master and TDS.Master.Content must be synchronized. This is done in the following way:

We synchronize the Content and Media Library from the Cluster to Master.Content

and the Layout, System and Templates to Master:

How to upgrade to Master Site

When dealing with previously created sites that need to be transformed into a Master Site the prerequisites are the same as when starting from scratch:

• Powershell module (select appropriate version for the sitecore instance)

• Score version (SCORE - 3.x.x.x, SCOREUI 3.x.x.x, SCOREBOOTSTRA - 3.x.x.x)

• Install SCORE Bootstrap Site Cluster Scaffolding Automation - 3.x.x.x package

Usage

When transforming an existing site to a Master Site we can’t go the usual route of using the New Cluster option from the ribbon. To add a Cluster Root, select the parent item usually Content and click Insert → Insert from template. Select following branch template: /Branches/Score/Multisite Root and name your Cluster Root.

After this action you will have a new Cluster root created with a new Master Site underneath.

Copy Home, Content, Selections and anything that is under the site name node to the new Master Site.

The rest of the process is pretty much the same as when creating a Master Site from scratch, which includes the config changes, adding hosts and binding in the IIS and syncing new items for the cluster to TDS.Master and TDS.Master.Content.

More details can be found here -> MasterSite Website.

The Purpose of Master Site

Identified Master Site Benefits:

The Master Site portfolio enables the Site to deliver world class, best practice, fully optimized and tested websites to new markets. The Master Site portfolio is the vehicle to achieve a controlled expedited delivery to multiple markets simultaneously at a lower cost.

The Master Site portfolio enables Clients to deliver proven results of A/B testing and UX or XD continuous improvements, to a single or multiple markets faster and at a lower cost, to the highest standard consistently.

The Master Site portfolio enables the Client to pre-configure websites or single pages with the foundations (for example Persona configuration) to deliver personalized experiences on the website.

The Master Site portfolio enables the Client to deliver configured tagging & tracking pre-fixes that support insights and analytics in areas such as event tracking, to a single or multiple markets with expedited delivery to high levels of consistency and accuracy.

The Master Site portfolio can enable the Client to deliver multi-market and multi-language content pages that support organic traffic, with expedited delivery at a lower cost.

The Master Site portfolio can enable the Client to deliver multi-market and multi-language campaign pages inclusive of localized content and to a consistently high standard, at a lower cost and faster to market.

The Master Site portfolio has been delivered to high levels of quality and standards. Best practices and consistent application of standards in areas including folder structures and component naming conventions have set guidelines for Web Content Managers supporting the Client governance and reductions in maintenance operations.

The Master Site portfolio enables Clients to deliver the consolidation of an extensive number of additional micro sites and websites into a single localized version of the client, with expedited delivery, at a lower cost and to high levels of consistency and quality.

The Master Site portfolio includes ‘Local Sites’ that provide a controlled environment for each market for localized Master Site portfolio pages. Holding sites expedite the delivery of master sites pages (new or updated) to a single or multiple markets simultaneously. Holding sites are localized staging sites released into the live sites following full review and sign-off, supporting consistency and accuracy as well as internal stakeholder review and approval processes. ‘Holding Sites’ also provide internal teams such as central XD and DX with a development and testing environment to deliver continuous improvements and optimizations that can be subsequently delivered by the Master Site.

Three quarters (74%) of website visitors pay attention to the quality of spelling and grammar on company websites. More than half (59%) would avoid doing business with a company who made obvious spelling or grammar mistakes. Delivering consistently high quality content for the Client is essential. The Master Site portfolio is integrated to a 3^rd party localisation platform that supports the Client content localisation at a lower cost and with expedited delivery whilst maintaining alignment to the language and tone of expected communication style of the Client by leveraging translation memory equity.

The Master Site portfolio is supported by a 3^rd party localisation agency ensuring that the basic fundamental requirements of accurate spelling, grammar and punctuation are ensured through qualified linguists, effective review and validation processes.

The Client has a market leading customer proposition, from emerging start-ups to established enterprise level businesses we have the strength to communicate to our current and future customers consistently, accurately and with a respected and trusted voice of authority. Recent research indicates that 55% of visitors shall spend fewer than 15 seconds on a company website. High quality, informative and educational content drives higher level of engagement and interaction and drives sales. The 3^rd party localisation agency supporting the Master Site portfolio has a network of subject matter experts that are qualified content curators.

More reading