WordPress Multisite: An Overview, Benefits, and How to Enable It
WordPress is one of the most popular Content Management System (CMS) platforms available today. It is widely used by individuals, small businesses, and large corporations alike. One of the most sought-after features of WordPress is its ability to support Multisite allocation on a single user name or domain. This feature has revolutionized website development, making it easier for both tech-savvy and non-technical users to create and manage multiple websites. In this article, we will provide an overview of WordPress Multisite, discuss why you might need it, explain how to enable multisite support in WordPress, and highlight the various benefits of using multisite for your WordPress installation.
WordPress Multisite Overview
WordPress Multisite is an advanced algorithm within the WordPress platform that was introduced in 2010. It allows users to create multiple accounts for blogging or related sites. With this feature, you can easily create more than 1000 blogs within one WordPress installation. Multisite is particularly useful for large-scale businesses that need to manage multiple websites. It can be used to manage various content accessories such as social networks, blogging content, multiple sub-domain write-ups, and so on.
Since its introduction in 2010, there have been certain terminology changes that users should be aware of:
– WordPress MU, which used to be known as Multisite or MS, is now referred to as WordPress with Multisite enabled.
– Blog is known as a Site.
– A Site is referred to as a Network.
– Site Admin is referred to as Super Admin.
– Network Admin dashboard is accessible by clicking on the Network Admin tab presented on the WordPress admin bar.
– Site Admin Dashboard is the WordPress admin area that regular visitors and users see and where all the standard WordPress functionality can be easily accessed.
Why You Might Need WordPress Multisite
There are two main scenarios where a user might need multiple websites for their domain:
1. Inviting Public to the Host Sites: A Multisite account can be created by an individual without any struggle with the help of an administrator. The “blogs” or sub-sites will be hosted either at site.com/new-site or new-site.site.com (subdirectories or subdomains) depending on your settings/setup.
2. Hosting an In-house Chain of Networks: In this category, a small or a large-scale business creates their Multisite login on WordPress platform to percolate the same task of content management. Plethora of websites are initiated through one WordPress installation, which makes the complete process user-friendly and risk-free. For example, a school having different branches may require a Multisite platform to render their service content and to keep it updated.
How to Enable WordPress Multisite
Enabling WordPress Multisite is a straightforward process that can be accomplished in six steps:
Step 1: Create A New Self-Hosted WordPress Installation
If you don’t already have WordPress installed, create a new self-hosted WordPress installation. If you already have a WordPress installation, you can still convert it into a multisite. Just make sure to deactivate (if only temporarily) all of your active plugins to prevent any possible conflicts.
Step 2: Enable Multisite
To enable Multisite, insert the following code above where it shows/says “That’s all, stop editing! Happy blogging” in your wp-config.php file:
/* Multisite */
define( ‘WP_ALLOW_MULTISITE’, true );
Log into your WordPress dashboard or refresh the page if you were already logged in to continue to the next steps.
Step 3: Installing A Network
The above step authorizes the Network setup item into your Tools Menu. Browse to Administrator / Tools / Network Setup within your WordPress dashboard where you will find the new “Create A Network of WordPress sites” page so you can set things up.
The Network details are by default filled but one can surely make changes:
– Server Address: The domain URL an individual is using to access their WordPress installation
– Network Title: The title of the network one is using as a whole
– Admin E-mail Address: Users email address as super admin of the network
Finally, re-check the items and click on installation!!
Step 4: Enabling The Network
To enable your network, follow the directions provided by WordPress.
Add the following lines to your wp-config.php file:
define(‘MULTISITE’, true);
define(‘SUBDOMAIN_INSTALL’, false);
define(‘DOMAIN_CURRENT_SITE’, ‘wordpressintegration.com’);
define(‘PATH_CURRENT_SITE’, ‘/’);
define(‘SITE_ID_CURRENT_SITE’, 1);
define(‘BLOG_ID_CURRENT_SITE’, 1);
Add the following lines to your .htaccess files:
RewriteEngine On
RewriteBase /
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]
If you don’t have a .htaccess file, then you must create it in the same directory as their wp-config.php file. If there is an .htaccess file, then replace any existing WordPress lines with these new ones.
Step 5: Network Admin Settings
Now, you will seek the Network Admin link in the My Site option drop-down menu or on the WordPress admin bar.
Through this one can aptly and speedily change the network admin to site admin dashboard. This is done by clicking on the option of dashboard link to any of your preferred sites under My Sites.
Step 6: Administration
You have created a Multisite Network! There is a bit more information you must review. Please look over the Multisite Network Administration guide created by WordPress to help you understand how your new multisite installation works.
Benefits of Using WordPress Multisite
WordPress Multisite offers many benefits, including:
– Automatic blog or site creation for any type of user (be it individual, small or large-scale business)
– Unlimited site development for one user
– Various themes on different parts of your site
– Users have the feasibility to place widgets, headers, backgrounds, and menus on their respective site regardless of their theme
– Sites can be integrated with each other or separated
– This complete system and procedure is risk-free and user-defined, which keeps a layman at absolute ease
In conclusion, WordPress Multisite is a remarkable platform that has enabled many users to create complex sites for a multitude of reasons. It is a great tool with many advantages. Let us know how the multisite process goes for you in the comments below. Or share how you’ve used multisite for your WordPress installation.
