Everyone knows WordPress. As WordPress has developed, so too has its feature set. In particular, WordPress Multisite has emerged as a powerful tool for webmasters and site owners. Multisite is a feature of WordPress that allows you to create a network of websites from one central installation.
WordPress Multisite feature can be useful for creating a network of sites for your business or for setting up multiple standalone websites. So, this guide will cover how to set up WordPress Multisite, how to use WordPress Multisite, and the benefits of WordPress Multisite.
What is WordPress Multisite?
Before we start the guide for the new WordPress Multisite, we have to make sure you know what is “Multisite”. So, let’s start with the definition of it. According to WordPress.org, it is “a feature that allows you to create a network of websites under a single WordPress installation”. And, it is very simple to understand.
If you want to run a network of websites, then you don’t need to install WordPress on every site. It will be easier if you install it on one side and then you can create multiple sites in that network.
WordPress Multisite is a feature of WordPress that allows you to create a network of websites from a single installation of WordPress. This can be helpful for businesses and organizations that want to manage multiple websites from a single dashboard, or for developers who want to create a testing ground for new website ideas.
This can be handy if you want to create multiple websites, but don’t want to manage them all separately. Each website in the WordPress Multisite network shares the same WordPress installation, themes, and plugins. The super advantage of using WordPress Multisite is that it allows you to manage all your websites from one location.
As we know now, WordPress Multisite allows you to create a network of sites on a single WordPress installation. Each site in the network is administered and set up as a separate WordPress site, but they all share a single database and user management system.
This can be useful for creating multiple separate sites, each with its own domain name, or for creating a network of sites where users can log in and manage their own content.
Benefits of a WordPress Multisite:
As we know, WordPress is the most popular CMS platform today, powering 28% of all websites. It is a powerful WordPress feature that allows you to run one WordPress installation and have it support multiple websites.
This is ideal for small business owners who don’t have the bandwidth to run multiple WordPress installations.
- Efficient, Centralized Site Management:
First and foremost, it is a less time-consuming model. You can do many administrative tasks with a few clicks. Super admin can perform all the tasks such as updating software, modifying user permissions, and changing other network settings with a few clicks.
- Scalability:
By using WordPress Multisite, you can allow unlimited WordPress subsites under one URL. It means super admin tack on every website of your network. With the help of it super admins can cut down on server costs.
- Data Sharing:
If you update plugins or themes files, it will apply to all networked sites using those files. Even better, when you update a plugin or theme from the Network Admin Dashboard, the new plugin or theme is distributed to all of your sites. Believe me, this is a massive timesaver.
Also Read: What Is a WordPress Plugin? [A to Z Guide]
How to Install WordPress Multisite:
By following the below steps, you can activate and set up WordPress Multisite. This can be a new WordPress installation or an existing installation.
Before we move further, please make sure to back up your database and wp-config.php and .htaccess files.
1 – Firstly, Connect your website through your FTP client. Also, you can use the file manager on your hosting cPanel if you prefer.
2 – Download the wp-config.php file. This is found in the top-level directory which is the WordPress folder on the server.
3 – Open the wp-config.php file and search for the following line: /* That’s all, stop editing! Happy publishing. */
4 – Above that line directly, paste this code: define(‘WP_ALLOW_MULTISITE’, true);
5 – Save and close the wp-config.php file. After that upload it again to the server to replace the existing one.
6 – You have to deactivate all activated plugins.
7 – Now you need to install the network in your dashboard by going to Tools >> Network Setup.
8 – Once you’ve installed the network, you need to follow the 2 steps on the next page you’ll see to activate the network. You need to copy the code you see on the page and add it to the wp-config.php and .htaccess files. The page looks like this with the codes that you need to copy and paste (the code in the above screenshot will be specific to your website)
9 – After that refresh the current WP admin dashboard page.
10 – Lastly, again login to your WP admin dashboard.
Managing Users and Permissions in WordPress Multisite:
It has a remarkable method for overseeing numerous comparative or interconnected websites in a single administration dashboard. Here we show you how to control user roles and permissions across the network.
To make this happen, we are going to recommend the Capability Manager Enhanced plugin. It is a very useful plugin that makes your tasks very easy. It gives you control over all the permissions on your WordPress site. This plugin is easy to set up and manage.
Tips and Tricks:
- Give Yourself a Crash Course In WordPress Multisite
- Get Spam Under Control
- Make Network Admin More Convenient
- Create A Solid Development Environment
- Set Up Regular Automatic Backups Of Your Multisite Network
- Save Time While Managing Multiple WordPress Sites
- Automate Your Multisite Network To Make Money
FAQs:
- Would I be able to better manage my sites with a multisite network?
It totally depends on your usage. To be very honest, If you manage multiple sites for a restaurant chain, university, or online magazine, then WordPress multisite will be more efficient.
- Does WordPress multisite make my websites load faster?
Again, I would like to say it depends on many factors. Better WordPress hosting service would be the best solution for you to speed up your website. If you are using a shared hosting account then it can be affected when a large audience is on your website.
- Can I add an online store to a WordPress Multisite Website?
Yes, you can add an online store in WordPress multisite network. You can use an eCommerce plugin like WooCommerce.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, WordPress Multisite was introduced in version 3.0. Also, there are a lot of benefits to using WordPress Multisite. Furthermore, you can have multiple users under the same installation, have different domain names, and have different themes and plugins.
Also, it allows you to take advantage of a number of WordPress features, such as the ability to manage multiple blogs from a single dashboard, the ability to use different domain names for each blog, the ability to create private sites that only you have access to, and the ability to easily switch themes between sites. After all, WordPress Multisite has emerged as a powerful tool.
If you found any queries then you can contact us.