I’m working on an ASP.NET MVC project that needs to be deployed to different customer environments. Each deployment requires unique branding elements like custom CSS files, images, and logos. But it goes beyond just visual changes - some customers also need different business rules and functionality.
I want to set up my build process so it can automatically generate all these different versions. I’m wondering what the best strategy would be for handling this kind of multi-tenant customization.
Should I look into using ASP.NET Themes for the visual stuff? What about preprocessor directives for the code differences? Are there other patterns or tools that work well for this scenario?
I already have my automated build pipeline configured, so I’m really just looking for advice on the application architecture side of things.
In my experience, managing multiple client customizations in an ASP.NET MVC application can be streamlined by avoiding preprocessor directives, as they often complicate debugging. Instead, implement feature flags within your database or configuration files to adjust business logic dynamically at runtime. For visual elements, consider developing a theme engine that selects CSS and other assets based on tenant-specific configurations. Create individual folders under wwwroot for each client’s branded materials, and establish a base controller to determine the appropriate theme context early in the request handling process. Additionally, adopting a plugin architecture using MEF or similar dependency injection methods enables you to load client-specific rules as independent assemblies at startup, allowing the flexibility to replace services seamlessly. Ensure that your build pipeline includes validation checks for all essential theme assets to avoid deployment issues due to missing resources.
Database-driven approach works great - I’ve used it across tons of client deployments. I dump all customization settings into dedicated tenant tables: UI preferences, feature toggles, business rules, everything. No more juggling separate config files per environment, and runtime switching becomes dead simple. For visual stuff, I built a custom razor view engine that looks for tenant-specific views first, then falls back to defaults. Paired it with a service that injects tenant CSS variables at page load from database settings. The killer feature? You can push new features to everyone at once but control who sees what through database flags. Testing’s way easier since there’s just one codebase to validate. Pro tip: cache those tenant settings or you’ll hammer your database on every request.
I’d go hybrid - use areas for the big client differences but keep shared code in the main app. Works great for me and avoids dependency hell that comes with plugins.
I’ve tackled this before and themes alone won’t cut it. You need a modular setup instead. I built a tenant config system where each client gets their own entry defining visual assets AND which features they can use. For the business logic differences, I used strategy patterns resolved through dependency injection based on which tenant is active. Visual stuff is easier - create tenant-specific view folders with a custom view engine that falls back to defaults when client views don’t exist. Here’s what saved me tons of pain: keep a shared core library for common functionality, then only create client-specific assemblies for stuff that’s actually different. Testing becomes way easier since you can test core logic separately from client customizations.
Configuration files are your best bet. I’ve been through this with 20+ enterprise clients all wanting different workflows.
Don’t go the themes route - way too rigid. Build a config layer that controls both UI and business logic. Give each client a JSON config that defines everything: color schemes, enabled features, the works.
For visuals, use CSS custom properties that get set from the client config. Much cleaner than swapping stylesheets. Dump client assets in separate wwwroot folders and use middleware to serve the right ones.
Business rules are the real pain. I used interfaces for all the logic that varies, then registered different implementations in DI based on the config. No preprocessor headaches or compile-time decisions.
Here’s what’ll bite you - make sure your base app works without any client config. Saved my ass multiple times when configs got corrupted during deployments.
Build a simple admin panel to preview each client’s version. Trust me, manually checking 10+ configs gets old real quick.