Reverse Proxy Configuration for No Extra Charge
Reverse proxies allow a single domain name to link to multiple, isolated servers. This lets you use different web hosts on a single domain. It also allows for multiple WordPress installations, without the downsides of complex nesting file structures.
Convesio can set up a Reverse Proxy for your site – entirely free-of-charge.
Overview
What is a Reverse Proxy?
Put simply, a reverse proxy allows you to control how a domain name interacts with servers.
Traditionally, it is difficult to have separate servers linked under a single domain name. So, for example, if you have YourShop.com on one CMS (like WordPRess), you can’t have YourShop.com/Blog use a different one. You’ll need to use a subdomain (Blog.YourShop.com) to do that — but there are SEO penalties for using a subdomain.
That’s where a reverse proxy can help. A reverse proxy is a server that acts as an intermediary between client (visitor) devices and web servers. This makes it easy to use different WordPress installations – or even different website creators entirely– on a subdirectory like YourSite.com/blog.
Benefits
Why Use a Reverse Proxy?
The main benefit of a reverse proxy is that it allows you to use a separate server for each subdirectory, rather than requiring a subdomain. This maintains the SEO benefits of using a single domain, while also allowing you to combine WordPress with other hosting platforms. It also allows you to install multiple isolated sites using WordPress, while avoiding the messiness and security concerns of nested installations.
Plus, reverse proxies enhance performance and security by isolating subdirectories, keeping them cleaner, simpler, and by using separate resources.
Subdomains, Not Subdirectories
Avoid the SEO penalties of using a subdomain. With a reverse proxy, you can create an entirely separate installation of WordPress on a subdirectory.
Use WordPress with Other Platforms
With a reverse proxy, YourSite/blog can redirect to a separate WordPress installation. Same domain, different server – and the user won’t even notice.
Performance and Security
Reverse proxies enhance performance and security, as installations are isolated, cleaner, and don’t share resources.
WordPress + Others
Use WordPress with Other Web Hosting Platforms
Using another web hosting platform, but want to use WordPress to power your blog? With a reverse proxy, it’s not a problem. You can use them on your primarily domain, while having yoursite.com/blog redirect to a separate WordPress installation. Users won’t notice a thing.
YourSite.com/WordPress
Put Separate WordPress Installations on Subdirectories, Not Subdomains
Traditionally, if you wanted to install more than one WordPress installation on a single domain, you needed to use subdomains. For example, WordPress.Convesio.com. However, Google treats subdomains as separate domains, so your site’s SEO will be punished.
A reverse proxy avoids this issue. Instead of a subdomain, you can install a separate installation on a subdirectory. For example, Convesio.com/WordPress.
This avoids the SEO pitfalls of subdomains, as everything is still on a single domain name. Plus, it consolidates all of your website’s authority and link equity under a single domain name. This means that any backlinks, social shares, or other signals that point to any subdirectory of your site will benefit your entire site, rather than being split across multiple subdomains.
Divide and Protect
Enhance Security and Performance
Reverse proxies enhance performance and security. For one, the proxy itself acts as a barrier between the internet and your site, providing an extra layer of protection by hiding the IP addresses and other identifying information of your backend servers, making it more difficult for attackers to target them directly.
Additionally, a reverse proxy allows you to divide your domain across multiple servers, which allows you to load balance incoming traffic. This increases performance, as each installation uses separate resources. Each installation is isolated from others, minimizing risk and improving security.
Try Convesio
Reverse Proxies: The Next Generation of WordPress Hosting
More performance, scalability, security, and peace of mind = more happy customers.
- 7-day free trial
- Free white glove migration
- No downtime or data loss
FAQs
Reverse Proxies
A reverse proxy is a server or software that acts as an intermediary between client devices and one or more backend servers. Unlike a traditional forward proxy that handles client requests, a reverse proxy receives requests from clients and forwards them to the appropriate backend servers. The response from the backend servers is then relayed back to the clients, creating a seamless connection between the clients and the servers. The reverse proxy hides the backend infrastructure, providing an additional layer of security and load balancing capabilities.
Yes, it is possible to use a reverse proxy with WordPress. By configuring a reverse proxy server in front of a WordPress installation, you easily set up multiple server installations tied to a single domain. This can also enhance your site’s performance, security, and scalability.
- Multiple servers under one domain: reverse proxies allow you to have multiple servers linked to a single domain name. This means you can have multiple WordPress installations – or even non-WordPress tools like Shopify or Squarespace – all under a single domain name.
Load Balancing: Reverse proxies can distribute incoming client requests across multiple backend servers, balancing the workload and preventing any single server from being overwhelmed. This improves overall system performance and ensures high availability.
Caching: Reverse proxies can cache static content, such as images, CSS, and JavaScript files. By serving these cached resources directly to clients, the reverse proxy reduces the load on the backend servers, resulting in faster response times and improved scalability.
Security: Reverse proxies act as a barrier between clients and backend servers, adding an extra layer of protection. They can handle security-related tasks, such as SSL/TLS termination, DDoS protection, and Web Application Firewall (WAF) filtering, mitigating potential threats before they reach the servers.
Content Optimization: Reverse proxies can compress and optimize content before delivering it to clients. By reducing the size of files and optimizing their structure, the reverse proxy can significantly improve page load times and enhance the user experience.
Scalability and Flexibility: Reverse proxies allow you to scale your infrastructure easily. You can add or remove backend servers without affecting clients, as the reverse proxy takes care of routing requests to the appropriate destinations. This flexibility simplifies server maintenance and enables seamless horizontal scaling.
Yes, Convesio supports reverse proxies for WordPress and other website creators.
