Multisite is a type of WordPress Installation which allows them to manage and create a network of multiple websites from a single WordPress dashboard. From setting WordPress Multisite to optimizing its various features, it handles everything. In other words, people get drawn to WordPress Multisite setup to manage a multisite network in WordPress.
What is WordPress Multisite?
It’s a version of WordPress which allows to run and use of WordPress Multisite off a single installation. With WordPress Multisite setup, it’s possible to manage things like themes, features, number of sites, and user roles. One of the best examples is WordPress.com, one of the largest WordPress networks available on the internet.
It all started when WordPress designed to enable site owners who efficiently manage multiple blogs. Later, WordPress core added during WordPress 3.0 release. It means the current version of WordPress can now help to convert into a multisite installation.
What is the WordPress installation vs WordPress Multisite?
For Multisite, it looks convenient, but it does not work the same in all scenarios. It benefits users and sticks to multiple single WordPress installations. Let’s understand it better by knowing its advantages not according to its business peculiarities.
WordPress Multisite Setup Advantages
- It manages all sites from the same WordPress dashboard and is incredibly convenient.
- It comes with centralized control that gives a better fit for most organizations.
- It helps to update WordPress core, themes, and plugins with saving server space and money for hosting.
- One only needs plugin and themes, which is time-saving.
- Users can reach a high level of consistency using structure and branding between different branch sites for the organization.
- One user can give access to all subsites in the network, which is convenient.
- It allows third-party users to create blogs and accounts within any network.
How to set up a network in WordPress and manage it?
After installation, the network shares one database, however, it’s separate tables within the database and different directories for media uploads. The site shares some WordPress plugins and WordPress themes. Whereas, the network admin manages themes and plugins using the single Admin dashboard.
Installing WPMU (WordPress Multisite)
Installing WPMU becomes easy with Softaculous Apps Installer in cPanel. For that, go to the cPanel and look for the Exclusive for Namecheap customer section. Look for WordPress and its icon to install. Check out details for your website by scrolling down and click on install. Also, note that WPMU should check during the installation.
With this, you get a notification that your MPMU successfully installed for your domain. Check once, WPMU enabled for your site. Find the wp-config.php file and check if you see below lines of code with WPMU allowed.
With this turn a standard WordPress installation into WPMU. If one needs to make regular WordPress installation multisite, you need to re-install or remove your WordPress. Enable Multisite by following the instructions.
- Go to C-Panel > File Manager > public_html folder > choose wp-config.php file and click edit. Once done, save the changes.
- Login to your Admin dashboard and check the network setup from the added tools menu.
- Choose if you’re looking to use a subdomain or sub-directories in your WordPress.
- Once done, you’ll see a page called to create a network of WordPress sites.
- The last step is to create a mu-plugins folder that affects all sites in the WPMU installation.
Now, navigate to File Manager and locate the root folder for a WordPress installation.
How to create subdomains and subfolders?
Create new sites in the WordPress Network using Network Admin.
Go to your WordPress admin panel> My sites > Network Admin > Sites.
Suppose one needs to install a WordPress site to the subdomain, and not to the subdirectory. Then use the following steps:
Create a wildcard subdomain in the subdomain menu in cPanel. Create a subdomain and make sure to point document root to the root directory of the multisite installation.
Change subdomain_install option in the wp-config.php file from false to true with saving the changes.
Once it’s done, you can access the Network Admin dashboard by installing WordPress to the subdomain. Switch to the subdomain_install option back to false with creating subdirectories.
How to Connect another domain to the WPMU site?
In-Network Admin dashboard, move to Sites > All Sites > and click Edit under the site.
Change Site Address (URL) to your domain’s URL by clicking on save changes.
That’s all your domain would show the content of the WPMU site.
Is WordPress Multisite right for you?
The below cases shows that multisite is a good fit.
- In case you need subsites with similar functionalities.
- In case your organization needs a centralized approach to site management.
- In case you do not need a separate user audience with having shared users which causes no security concerns.
- In case one plan to scale business sites and need easier WordPress management in the future.
Are you looking to set up a WordPress multisite for your sites, let’s meet your business Workflow? Get ready to discuss your needs and talk about the best optimal options.