WordPress Multisite: A Detailed Guide

Are you finding a way to manage multiple WordPress websites from a single WordPress dashboard? The advanced feature of WordPress- WordPress Multisite enables you to control multiple websites efficiently from a single installation. Also, it allows you to share the same plugins and themes for all websites from one server.

However, many users do not know how to use this powerful feature, how to enable it on WordPress dashboard.

Taking this into mind, in this article we will describe the complete guide of WordPress Multisite, benefits of it, how to install it and enable it in WordPress.

So, lets begin!

What Is WordPress Multisite?

WordPress Multisite is a core feature of WordPress 3.0 and later versions that allow running more than one website from a particular installation. This function gives you access to all network websites directly through the admin bar. 

Not only this, but also you can handle everything including the number of sites, features, themes, and user roles etc through the functionality. 

The best thing about a multisite WordPress is it seems really identical to a regular installation. Like, it has the same folder structure, the same core files and also the same code base which the installation process is as simple as the standard installation process of WordPress websites.

The Benefits of WordPress Multisite

If you are planning to use the feature, lets know the main benefits of using a WordPress multisite network before.

• WordPress Multisite is a perfect choice for those who need to handle individual websites from one dashboard.
• You can control the entire network as a super admin
• It allows you to give users permission and set the number of users to build their own websites. 
• It enables to install and customize themes and plugins for all websites from just one installation.
• This feature allows the time of updating all the sites is much quicker than from the separate dashboard.
• It can limit user access for some features such as installing new plugins and themes which is undoubtedly a great option to manage a client’s website. 
• It will take less server space than running a separate WordPress installation for every site.

Who Should Use the WordPress Multisite Feature?

While there are many features provided by WordPress Multisite, it is not always the best option. The biggest issue is that the same database would be used by websites on a multi-site network. As a result, it is not possible to back up only a single website. For this, the same key domain would apply to all of the websites on a network.

If you are running multiple blog sites or eCommerce websites then it will be a good decision to use multisite features on your website. Through it, you can save money on website hosting and use a single host for all websites.

How to Install WordPress Multisite? 

If you are planning to use the powerful feature and take the steps towards the journey of activating a Multisite on your network, then you have to follow the following steps below. Before starting to install the WordPress Multisite, keep in mind that your existing site where you put the feature will become the first site on your network.

Step 1: Add Code Snippet To wp-config.php

In the first step,  you need to go to your core files and open the wp-config.php file. After opening the file, insert the following code snippet above to the code says “That’s all, stop editing! Happy blogging”:

/* Multisite */
define( 'WP_ALLOW_MULTISITE', true );

Once you have done it, save the changes and login to your WordPress dashboard. If you are already logged in your dashboard refresh the page before going to the 2nd step.

Step2: Setup your network in WordPress Dashboard

Now in the dashboard, go to Tools> Network Setup to set up your new Multisite network. After clicking it, you will see a warning to deactivate all your plugins before enabling the network feature. Here, you need to click on the option to deactivate your plugins. 

Next, after deactivating all your plugins again go to Tools →  Network Setup and fill up the information of your network details for creating the network. 

Here you need to choose the domain structure for your network as subdomains or subdirectories.

Sub-domains– it means every site obtain its own subdomain such as site.yourdomain.com

Sub-directories– It means every site obtain a subfolder such as yourdomain.com/site1

 Then you can fill up your network details by adding a title on the Network Title option and also a valid admin email address for the Network admin Email option. 

Once you have done these options, click on the install button for install the network setup.

Step 3: Enabling The Network

Now, to enable the network, you will be recommended to add some code of your existing wp-config.php and .htaccess files.  

1. Now, on your existing wp-config.php, paste the following code above to the code says “That’s all, stop editing! Happy blogging”:

define('MULTISITE', true);
define('SUBDOMAIN_INSTALL', false);
define('DOMAIN_CURRENT_SITE', 'localhost');
define('PATH_CURRENT_SITE', '/wordpress/');
define('SITE_ID_CURRENT_SITE', 1);
define('BLOG_ID_CURRENT_SITE', 1);

2. Then, you need to add-on the below mentioned lines to your .htaccess files:

RewriteEngine On
RewriteBase /wordpress/
RewriteRule ^index\.php$ - [L]
 
# add a trailing slash to /wp-admin
RewriteRule ^([_0-9a-zA-Z-]+/)?wp-admin$ $1wp-admin/ [R=301,L]
 
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} -f [OR]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} -d
RewriteRule ^ - [L]
RewriteRule ^([_0-9a-zA-Z-]+/)?(wp-(content|admin|includes).*) $2 [L]
RewriteRule ^([_0-9a-zA-Z-]+/)?(.*\.php)$ $2 [L]
RewriteRule . index.php [L]

After doing these, save those files and re-login to your WordPress dashboard to access your new network.

Step 4: Setup the Network Admin Settings

Now again log in to your dashboard and go to the new option network admin from the My site drop-down menu bar. Through it, you can start to add new sites, plugins, themes, manage all of your current sites and also configure miscellaneous settings for your network. 

Conclusion

For reducing your hard work and tracking your all website easily and quickly without any hassle, WordPress Multisite is the best solution for you. Hopefully, you now have enough knowledge about it, who should use it, the installation and activation process.

To learn more about WordPress tips & tricks, you may check our WordPress Tips section.

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