How to Setup a WordPress Multisite

WordPress Multisite – As the name suggests, its a wordpress setup to run multiple sites. Multisite is a mode in wordpress that enables you to create several subdomain or network websites from a single wordpress installation. Before WordPress Multisite feature, WordPress had WordPress MU ( wordpress multiuser) which was much bigger and complex system as compared to multisite feature. WordPress Multisite was a big move by wordpress developers that simplified the whole system a  lot that even your clients can do it on their own.

You just have to follow some simple steps and its ready for you.

Steps 1 –

Deactivate all active plugins.

Step 2 –

Open the wp-config.php file located at root of the wordpress installation and add this line somewhere above the first line that begins with require or include:

[infobox ]/* Multisite */
define( 'WP_ALLOW_MULTISITE', true );[/infobox]

Now refresh your browser.

Step 3: Installing a Network –

Now go to wordpress admin panel and create a network from here: Dashboard > Tools > Network Setup.

You will see two options there, one is subdomain install and another is subdirectory install.

A subdirectory install is easier process but for a subdomain install, you have to do wildcard dns settings in your hosting cpanel. We will tell about it in our next post.

Step 4: Enable Network –

The next screen will guide you for further process to enable a network. It will provide a code to add in your .htaccess file and wp-config files. Take a backup of both files before adding the code to them.

Step 5: Dashboard –

Go to dashboard and check the top left section, you will see a new menu option addded there that says – “My Sites–>Network Admin”.

Thats all for creating a multisite. Follow our next posts for further information on this.