How To Install and Setup WordPress Multisite Network? – If you have several companies, colleges, or personal websites that all have a few items in common, you’ve probably wondered if there’s a more effective way to manage them all rather than handling them separately. If that’s the case, WordPress multisite is the answer for you.
WordPress multisite, first released in version 3.0 in 2010, enables multiple WordPress websites to function within a single WordPress installation.
We’ll show you how to build a multisite WordPress installation in this post. Even for someone who has created WordPress websites before, it can be a challenging task. But there’s no need to be concerned.
If you follow our step-by-step guide to WordPress multisite, you’ll be fine. If you want to learn how to manually instal WordPress, check out this post.
Before we dive into the steps for installing and configuring a WordPress multisite, there are a few items you should be aware of.
What is a Multisite WordPress?
A WordPress multisite network is a list of websites that all use the same WordPress installation. To put it another way, if you have five different WordPress pages, you can put them all in one place and manage them all from a single dashboard.
Take the BBC America website, for example. It is connected to a multisite network. Every BBC programme has its own website (called subsite under multisite setting). Instead of having several websites, they have a single website that houses all of their shows. This makes website management way too easy.
Finally, we’ll make a distinction between a single website and a WordPress multisite network.
- One website + one WordPress instal = Regular WordPress website
- Multiple websites + one WordPress instal = Multisite WordPress network
Pros and Cons of Using a Multisite Networks
It’s not difficult to see why WordPress multisite is so appealing. Multisite, on the other hand, is not for all. Let’s take a look at the benefits and drawbacks of using multisite.
Pros of WordPress Multisite
Themes and plugins that are shared can be mounted on the master dashboard. They will also be enabled across the entire network for use by all subsites.
Note: In the Set-Up & Configure segment, there’s more on the “master dashboard.”
Streamlined Updates: The Superadmin will update all of the subsites’ WordPress plugins and themes at once.
Note: In the Set-Up & Configure segment, there’s more on the term “Superadmin” or “Super Administrator.”
Multisite with a single dashboard WordPress allows you to manage multiple websites from a single dashboard. You’ll be able to monitor everything, including themes, plugins, and users. It is possible to handle dozens upon dozens of subsites in this manner.
Cons of WordPress Multisite
- Incompatible Plugins: Discovering compatible themes and plugins is one of the most difficult aspects of multisite. Many plugins and themes aren’t designed to work with several sites.
- Complex Migration: Migrating can be a difficult and time-consuming process. Although multisite migration to a new domain or hosting provider is feasible, standalone migration, or migrating a single subsite, is extremely difficult and most plugins do not support it.
- WordPress Multisite is best used when you’re creating a network of sites that share similar features. It’s not ideal for websites that use different plugins and themes.
However, if you have websites for a variety of purposes, you can find that you need to use various plugins, themes, and customizations. Then turning on multisite isn’t a good idea.
IMPORTANT: WordPress Multisite was created at a time when there were few good website management options. Thankfully, things have changed since then. If you’re looking for a good management solution, WP Remote is a good option.
It’s a common, feature-rich management plugin with a user-friendly interface. From a single dashboard, you’ll be able to access multiple websites.
If you plan to set up WordPress multisite WordPress after weighing the benefits and drawbacks, follow our beginner’s guide below.
How To Install and Setup WordPress Multisite Network?
Start at Step 1 if you’re creating a multisite from scratch. However, if you already have a website and want to convert it to a multisite, proceed to Step 2.
CAUTION: Setting up a multisite requires making adjustments to your WordPress files, which can be dangerous. The tiniest mistake could result in the site being down. So, if you’re going to set up multisite on an existing website, we suggest making a full WordPress backup first.
Step 1: Build a WordPress Website
The first step is to purchase a domain name and a hosting contract. If you’ve never created a website before, the process can seem intimidating, but trust us when we say that creating a WordPress website is not difficult. There are several tools that you can use.
It’s time to turn your website into a multisite environment once it’s up and running.
Step 2: Activating Multisite Via Config File
You’ll need to upload a piece of code to your config file in this phase. The config file can be accessed via your hosting account or an FTP client such as Filezilla. Filezilla is a programme that you must instal on your local computer in order to use it.
We’ll show you how to make changes to your config file using both your hosting account and Filezilla.
I. Access Config File Via Hosting Account
1. Log into your hosting provider’s account and go to the cPanel section. Select File Manager from the cPanel.
2. Pick the public html folder from the File Manager tab.
3. The public html folder contains the wp-config.php file. Simply right-click the file and choose Edit from the menu that appears.
II. Access Config File Via Filezilla
- Save Filezilla to your local machine and instal it. It’s a piece of software that connects your local machine to your website’s backend. This implies that you can make changes to the config file from your device.
- Launch FileZilla and log in with your Hostname, Username, Password, and Port. Request FTP keys from your hosting company if you don’t already have them. You can also learn where your FTP credentials are kept by watching these images.
- In the Remote Site section on your right, a group of folders will appear once the link is established. The public html folder will be one of the directories. Choose it.
- Under the Remote Site field, there’s a Filename section. The wp-config.php file will appear in this section after you select the public html folder.
- Once you’ve located the wp-config.php file, simply right-click it and choose Edit.
III. Insert Code to Allow Multisite
The wp-config.php file will appear after you click edit. In the config file, look for the following sentence:
/* That’s all, stop editing! Happy blogging. */
- Place the following lines of code directly above the sentence “Happy Blogging”:
- define(‘WP ALLOW MULTISITE’, true);
- Click on Save Changes and close the file.
Your website has now been upgraded to a multisite network. To get started, go to your WordPress dashboard. A Multisite icon should appear in the left-hand corner.
Step 4: Installing the Network
1. Pick Network Setup from the Tools menu in your WordPress dashboard. You’ll configure the network from here –
(a) The first step is to determine how the subsites’ URLs will be formatted. You have the choice of using site1.example.com or example.com/site1 (i.e. subdomain or subdirectory). There’s no need to be concerned about the URL structure because it has no bearing on how the pages are stored.
(b) After that, hit Install and fill in the remaining fields, such as Network Title and Network Admin Email. WordPress will send you two snippets of code as soon as you select Install. They must be added to the wp-config.php and.htaccess directories, respectively.
Step 5: Add Code to the wp-config File
Using the method we demonstrated in the previous section, open the wp-config file. Place the first snippet of code directly above the line.
/* That’s it; no more editing! */ Have fun with your blogging.
Remember to click Save Changes. The code on my website looks like this:
Step 6: Add Code to the .htaccess File
The second code snippet will be added to the.htaccess file. The.htaccess file, like the config file, can be found in the File Manager or via FileZilla. Check out our article for more information on editing the.htaccess file.
METHOD 1 – .htaccess File in the File Manager
Navigate to the cPanel > File Manager > public html folder >.htaccess file after logging into your hosting account. Simply right-click the file and choose Edit from the menu that appears.
METHOD 2 – .htaccess File in FileZilla
Enter your FTP credentials into Filezilla. Check out these videos or contact your hosting company if you don’t know what your FTP credentials are.
- Then go to the section for Remote Sites.
- Choose the public html directory.
- Then look for the.htaccess file in the Filename folder.
- Simply right-click and pick Edit when you find it.
You’ll find code that looks identical to the second code snippet when you open the file. Substitute the latest codes for the old ones. Remember to click Save Changes.
How to Add a New Subsite to Your Multisite Network?
WordPress multisite is simple to use, living up to its reputation of being extremely user-friendly. By following a few simple steps, site administrators may create new websites or subsites.
- Pick All Sites from your WordPress dashboard, then Add New. Enter information such as the desired URL, site title, admin email, and so on (as you can see in the image below). When you’re done, press Add Site.
- You are free to add as many websites as you want. Go to your Master Dashboard and pick Sites > All Sites if you want to see all of your subsites.
It’s worth noting that when the website becomes a multisite network, any users who have been assigned the position of WordPress admin will automatically become Super Admins. A Super Admin, on the other hand, has total power over every location on the network.
How to Install Plugins and Themes in the WordPress Multisite?
It’s easy to instal themes and plugins on a multisite. Installing them is the same as installing them on a normal website.
- Go to Plugins > Add New in your Master Dashboard, then check for, install, and unlock plugins for your site.
To instal and configure a theme, go to Themes > Add New, then check for and instal themes on your website. - All of the subsites will be enabled with the plugin and theme you add. Plugins and themes can be activated and disabled at the network level. With that, we’ve completed the installation of a WordPress multisite network.
Final Thoughts
Multi-location For those who know how to use it, WordPress is a very useful platform. But keep in mind that WordPress is a perilous universe where hackers and bots lurk, waiting to cause havoc on the network of websites. If you’re running a single installation or a multisite network, you must take security precautions.