How to do a WordPress Multisite setup

How to install WordPress Multisite

1. Preparing your WordPress site

Before doing anything, create a full backup of your website so you have something to roll back to if things go sideways.

Next, deactivate all your plugins using the Bulk actions option. You can’t create a multisite network without doing this, so it’s best to get it out of the way before you get into the more complicated stuff. When the network is up and running, you’ll be able to re-enable them in a few clicks, so don’t worry about this creating extra work for you down the line.

2. Enabling multisite configuration settings

Use SFTP to access your website’s files, and find your wp-config.php. Open it in a file editor and, right above the line that says /* That's all, stop editing! Happy blogging. */, add the following code:

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

Save the file right after.

3. Installing the network

Log back into your admin dashboard and go to Tools > Network Setup.

Choose the structure you want to use for sites in your network: sub-domains or sub-directories. Make the right choice the first time; you only get one chance.

For this walkthrough, we’re going to be using sub-directories.

4. Setting up the network

Next, WordPress will give you two bits of code to copy and paste into your wp-config.php and .htaccess files respectively.

After this, you’ll automatically be logged out of your WordPress admin dashboard. Log back in, and you should see a new option appear on the right of the menu along the top of the page, one labeled Network Admin.

This is where you can manage the entire network as a “super admin”, including all its users, themes, and plugins.

💡 To reactivate plugins for the network, go to Network Admin > Plugins, then bulk activate the same way you bulk deactivated!

You’ll also notice the new Sites option on the left. You can add new sites from here through Sites > Add New.

Fill in the new site’s details, click Add Site, and you’re good to go!

5. Additional steps

To use subdomains like site1.example.com, you need to follow these steps:

• Configure a wildcard DNS record. This allows any subdomain to point to your server without manually setting up each one.
• In your DNS settings, add a wildcard record by creating a new A record with * as the subdomain (e.g. *.example.com) and point it to your server’s IP address.
• Ensure your hosting supports wildcard subdomains. Some hosts may require additional configuration.
• After setting up the wildcard DNS record, WordPress will automatically recognize new subdomains as part of your network.

For subdirectories:

• WordPress will use paths like example.com/site1 for each subsite.
• No additional DNS configuration is needed for subdirectories.

If you want to map custom domains to your subsites (e.g., site1.com instead of site1.example.com), you will need to:

• Register the custom domains.
• Configure DNS records to point these domains to your server.
• Use WordPress Multisite’s built-in domain mapping feature to assign these domains to your subsites.