What is the difference between a MicroStore and a Multiple Storefront?

Multiple Storefronts

The primary difference between a microstore and a multiple storefront is that a multiple storefront:

• Is its own complete website (i.e. www.yourname.com or subsite.yourname.com)
• It can have its own products.
• You can have multiple under one admin console (domain1.com, domain2.com, domain3.net, sub.domain4.com.au, etc)
• It has its own unique IP address (good for SEO)
• It has its own folder structure and FTP accounts if necessary. This is good for management and permissions.
• It has all the site specific settings in the administration panel. Store based overrides are still available, i.e. the Stores menu in the admin.
• It can have its own completely different theme
• It is the most powerful way to differentiate between sites. They are different sites that share the same backend database of customers, products and settings.

MicroStores

This is a feature that allows you to keep the same URL.  (Usually something like: YourStoreName.com/MicroStoreName.aspx) MicroStores differ in these ways:

• One main domain.
• Uses the same theme, settings and checkout process as the primary site.
• Can override some theme settings on the microstore level. Options such as link colors, background colors, specific microstore logos
• Does not show up in the stores menu. This means some store specific overrides for shipping and custom payment methods, etc. are currently lost
• The microstores show up in the store dropdown selections throughout the admin console. There are many settings available on a per store level are available on a MicroStore.
• Allows for unique product catalogs and pricing levels between microstores
• Are not typically as good for Search Engine optimization of the individual microstores
• Microstores can be selected by the visitor based on a dropdown selection list, clicking a link or logging in.

 MicroStore Screenshot