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Hi, It is looking ever more likely that EE is winning my personal CMS race.

I am not sure what version I need though.

I need a Commercial version at $249.00 - that is for certain. But Do I need a New Copy for every site I develop as a developer? I know a stupid question but I cannot say that I have found a definitive answer or reached a definitive understanding maybe.

So to begin using EE for commercial projects for clients what would I need?

Thanks,

Mark

Hi Mark,

Like most software, one EE license allows a single installation of EE for a unique client. This means that in most cases you’ll need to purchase a new EE license for each client project.

Two simple questions can help you determine what type of license you need. 

1. Is the primary purpose of the site to make money?

2. Is the purpose of the site to support a legal business or professional service in any way?

If you answer yes to either of the above then you need a Commercial license.

So, for example, a non-profit taking donations, a personal site selling a t-shirt with the domain on it, etc… are all personal licenses. But a “brochure” style site about a business that doesn’t sell anything or display ads would still require a Commercial license since it supports a business. 

I’d also recommend reviewing the License FAQ.

Hi Leslie,

Thanks for the clarification. My confusion comes from my current use of a CMS which isn’t open source but a single purchase allows you to create as many instances of the CMS as required.

So if I had a licence for EE and wanted to develop 4 more sites do I purchase 4 more licences or is it a different version I purchase? Multiple Site Manager - is that what I need or is that for a Client who wants to manage more than 1 website in his/her portfolio?

If the site is for a non-profit organisation (as many will be and are .org’s) do I not need a licence in that case? Or is it then the facilities I am losing out on by taking that route.

Kind regards,

Mark

So if I had a licence for EE and wanted to develop 4 more sites do I purchase 4 more licences or is it a different version I purchase?

For each separate EE install or unique client you need a new license. So to develop for sites that each require their own install or for 4 unique clients, you need 4 licenses.

Multiple Site Manager - is that what I need or is that for a Client who wants to manage more than 1 website in his/her portfolio?

A client with multiple web properties will likely find the Multiple Site Manager perfect. So a coffee store chain that needs a site for each location but wants to share the member database across multiple sites will find the MSM very tempting.

If the site is for a non-profit organisation (as many will be and are .org’s) do I not need a licence in that case? Or is it then the facilities I am losing out on by taking that route.

Non-profits are welcome to use the Personal license if they need the full version of EE or they can use EE Core, which is free.

Thanks for the clarification. I think I understand now (at last).