WordPress Multisite Setup: Manage Multiple Websites

⚡ Multisite Overview

Enable WP_ALLOW_MULTISITE in wp-config.php
Tools → Network Setup
Add code snippets to wp-config.php and .htaccess
Manage network

What is WordPress Multisite?

WordPress Multisite allows you to run multiple websites with a single WordPress installation. All sites share the same core files, plugins, and themes – but each has its own content and settings.

When Multisite makes sense:

Corporate group – Main site + subsidiaries
Franchise – Unified design, local content
Universities – Faculties, institutes, departments
Multilingual – One site per language
Agency – Manage client websites centrally

When Multisite is NOT suitable:

Completely different websites with no relation
Very large sites with different hosting requirements
When individual sites need their own plugins

Subdomains vs. Subdirectories

You must choose between two structures:

Subdirectories (Path-based)

yourdomain.com/site1/
yourdomain.com/site2/
Easier to set up
Only for new installations (not if WordPress older than 1 month)

Subdomains

site1.yourdomain.com
site2.yourdomain.com
Requires wildcard DNS (*.yourdomain.com)
Looks more "professional"

⚠️

Backup before Multisite activation!

Converting to Multisite changes the database structure. Create a complete backup first.

Enable Multisite: Step by Step

Deactivate All Plugins

Go to Plugins and temporarily deactivate all plugins to prevent conflicts.

Allow Multisite in wp-config.php

Open wp-config.php and add before "That's all, stop editing!":

/* Multisite */
define('WP_ALLOW_MULTISITE', true);

Set Up Network

Choose: Subdomains or subdirectories, network name, admin email.

Click "Install".

Add Code Snippets

WordPress shows you code to add to wp-config.php and .htaccess. Follow the instructions.

Log In Again

Log out and back in. You'll now see "My Sites" and "Network Admin" in the admin bar.

Add New Website

Go to Network Admin → Sites → Add New
Enter site address (e.g., "blog" for yourdomain.com/blog/)
Title and admin email
Save

Plugins and Themes in Network

Network-activate plugins:

Network Admin → Plugins → "Network Activate"

The plugin is then active on ALL sites.

Themes:

Themes must first be network-enabled before sites can use them.

Network Admin → Themes → "Network Enable"

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Multisite-compatible plugins

Not all plugins work with Multisite. Look for "Multisite-compatible" in plugin descriptions or test on a staging environment.