Introduction to WordPress Multisite
WordPress Multisite is defined to be a feature of WordPress that allows a user to develop and operate a system of multiple websites via the same wordpress installation on the server. This was recognized as WPMU (WordPress Multi-User) formerly. While we can say the wordpress multisite feature is not a new one rather it is an improved feature present on the wordpress platform since the launch of wordpress version 3.0. WordPress Multisite can be beneficial for various purposes like updating entire websites with just a click, to charge subscribers for developing a website available on Multiple Networks.
Key Takeaways
- WordPress Multisite has the ability to handle many websites sharing one network resource under one dashboard and one parent domain which runs many sub-sites.
- On this single network, the user can allocate every website with a separate admin. But when the network will go down then all these websites will be affected as well.
- There can be some cons of this feature: suppose if anyone hacks a single website then the complete network may be compromised. Likewise, on a multisite network, it will be a problem to manage server resources when there will be an immediate rise in the traffic level on one website that may hamper the others too.
- On one download, plugins and themes can be installed and activated on all of the network websites. However, some plugins may not support wordpress multisite features and tools as well as web-hosting providers too.
How to Create a WordPress Multisite Network?
A multisite network can be said as a group of sites that share a single WordPress installation plus core files, themes, and plugins.
Given below are the steps to create a WordPress Multisite Network as follows:
1. Prepare the requirements: Make sure you have wordpress installed already with valid permalinks like http://domain.com/test-page but not like this http://domain.com/?p=5021; also the plugins should be deactivated; take a backup of your wordpress installation and need to have access to its FTP.
2. Allow for Multisite through wp-config file.
3. Install the WordPress Network.
4. Write a few lines of code to .htaccess and wp-config files.
5. Introduce a new network admin menu and settings.
6. Create a new website on the network.
7. Setup plugins and themes on the multisite network.
WordPress Multisite Config
After connecting to the FTP panel, you need to:
1. Open the wp-config.php file available in the main directory of wordpress, then above the line: /* That’s all, stop editing! Happy blogging. */, add the codes.
Code:
Define (‘WP_ALLOW_MULTISITE’, true);Now, save the file.
2. Go to the admin panel of the website and refresh the page again, you will see an option Network Setup under Tools in the sidebar. Here, you need to select which network to work on sub-domains or sub-directories. Next, enter the network details and click the button Install.
3. Add a few codes to the wp-config files just below the former code added at first.
Code:
define('MULTISITE', true);
define('SUBDOMAIN_INSTALL', true);
define('DOMAIN_CURRENT_SITE', 'My_Website');
define('PATH_CURRENT_SITE', '/');
define('SITE_ID_CURRENT_SITE', 1);
define('BLOG_ID_CURRENT_SITE', 1);Also, add a few snippets of code to the htaccess file replacing other wordpress rules as:
Code:
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]Now, save both files.
4. Visit the dashboard, and you will find the new option i.e. Network Admin which has options for settings, dashboard, sites, plugins, users, and themes.
5. Go to the sites option and create a new website for the network.
6. You can further install and activate any plugins or themes.
How to Fix the WordPress Multisite Error?
Let us view the solutions to some errors or issues found in a Multisite Network:
1. Login Error: This error may exist if subdirectories are used instead of subdomains in a Multisite Network. To fix it just replace the second argument with ‘false’ in the lines defined (‘SUBDOMAIN_INSTALL’, true); found in the wp-config file.
2. Search Unconfirmed Users: Basically, due to poor mail configuration setup, one cannot search for users who have registered but have not received any mail for activation. For this, you need to use SMTP protocol to deliver mails in the inbox having domain authentication properly.
Working with Plugins WordPress Multisite
- You can view the Multisite network plugins in the Network Admin area in the website dashboard. You require to click the option ‘Network Activate’ present below every plugin for installing the plugins to the network. It should be noted that if the ‘Plugins Menu’ is already activated in the Network settings option for the website administrators, then the admins will not have access to install or remove the plugins. Nevertheless, they can just activate or deactivate the plugins that are present already.
- You can find many plugins which authorize the appropriate operations of Multisite network that includes WPForms, Pro Sites, Domain Mapping, Yoast SEO, WP Mail SMTP, Seed Pro, and User Switching.
WordPress Multisite Stores Media
- The media is stored in a different way in WordPress Multisite in comparison to a standard WordPress website. It will not create any additional folder in the wp-uploads folder, rather every media uploaded will be stored in the new folder named Sites created when Multisite is activated. These sites will receive uploads to all sites in the network.
- With WordPress multisite option, the user cannot get distinct media to upload directories available for websites in the wordpress installation which means every site will hold its own distinct folder of images plus other files uploaded, therefore one will not access one site’s images from any other site provided in the network.
- In a WordPress Multisite, the finest solution is the Multisite Shared Media plugin for the sync/unsync media such as Videos, Music, Images, Documents, etc. This will help to share media in the network.
Features
Given below are the features mentioned:
- Using one WordPress installation dashboard, the starters can set up websites and blogs network creating the subdomains.
- WordPress Multisite enables the user to manage the whole network being a SuperAdmin. It helps to also install and configure any new plugins or themes which further made available to the other websites.
- Even the content is controlled by the SuperAdmin as well as by the website admin.
- This WordPress feature can be used by universities for students, every department, faculty, forums, and blog members; banks and financial institutions having a network of branches; digital publications having many content sections; likewise, government offices with a network of departments; stores having many outlets; hotel chains, website development companies like Wix; eCommerce companies, etc.
FAQ
Given below are the FAQs mentioned:
Q1. Do we have the access to login to entire network websites as SuperAdmin using one ID?
Answer: Of Course, SuperAdmin has the right to login into the network websites with the same credentials.
Q2. Is it possible to provide access to user logins and roles through a WordPress Multisite network?
Answer: Yes, it is, you can share this access with other website admins to manage their own.
Q3. Can a user develop a theme and then implement it on any particular website?
Answer: Yes, developing any theme and using it on the network website with an admin login is possible.
Conclusion
WordPress Multisite is known to be a standard feature introduced to run different many websites under one dashboard on the hosting server. However, multisite comes with both pros and cons but if able to manage and troubleshoot the issues then one can really reduce the spadework and have stress-free monitoring of the website’s network.
Recommended Articles
This is a guide to WordPress Multisite. Here we discuss the introduction, and how to create a wordpress multisite network. features and FAQ. You may also have a look at the following articles to learn more –
