How to Create a Wordpress Multisite Network

A Wordpress Multisite Network is a collection of sites that share the same Wordpress installation. This functionality was previously provided by Wordpress MU, but as of Wordpress 3.0 has been rolled into the standard Wordpress setup as Multisite.

 

This article applies to our legacy Minimus\Medius\Maximus hosting plans only.

 

Currently Multisite is only compatible with manual installations of Wordpress, and will not work if Wordpress has been installed through the Application Vault. For help converting an Application install to a manual install, see the following:

• Moving an Application Vault Install to a Manual Install

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Contents

• Considerations
• Preparation
• Creating a Wildcard Domain
• Enabling Multisite
• Configuring Multisite

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Considerations

Wordpress Multisite requires a manual installation of Wordpress, and knowledge of how to access and edit files via FTP.

For instructions on these topics see the following articles:

• Where do I find my FTP details?
• Uploading via FTP
• Setting up Wordpress Manually

Before beginning, it is worthwhile to take the time to read the following article that Wordpress have published outlining everything you need to know before creating a Multisite Network.

• Before you Create a Network

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Preparation

A Wordpress Multisite network can be configured to operate using either Sub-Domains, or Directories. For the purposes of this guide, we will be creating the network using Sub-Domains.

This means that the sites in our network will be accessible in the following manner:

• siteOne.ourNetwork.com
• siteTwo.ourNetwork.com
• siteThree.ourNetwork.com

and so on.

Wordpress Multisite requires that "Pretty Permalinks" are enabled on your existing Wordpress setup.

• Using Permalinks

Before beginning, it is important to make a backup of your current site and databases.

• Wordpress Backups

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Creating a Wildcard Domain

A Wildcard domain allows Wordpress to create Sub-Domains without the user having to configure them outside of the Wordpress admin tools.

To create a new Wildcard Domain, first sign in to your Blacknight account.

• How to sign in to your Control Panel

1. In the top navigation bar, click on Websites.
2. From the list of websites, click on the one you wish to add the Wildcard domain to.
3. On the page that loads, scroll down to the general section, and click Add New Wildcard Domain.

 

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 Enabling Multisite

 To enable the Multisite feature on your Wordpress install, you need to make a small to change to your wp-config.php file.

1. Connect to your site via FTP.
2. Open your wp-config.php file in your text editor of choice.
3. Add the following code to your wp-config.php file just above the /* That’s all, stop editing! Happy blogging. */ line:

    /* Multisite */

    define( 'WP_ALLOW_MULTISITE', true );

    4. Save the file and upload it back to your site.

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Configuring Multisite

Before setting up Multisite, you must first disable all plugins on your Wordpress site.

1. From your Wordpress admin page click Plugins → Installed Plugins.
2. Tick the checkbox next to each plugin, and in the drop down menu select deactivate, then click Apply.

Once all plugins are disabled, we can begin configuring the Multisite network.

1. From your Wordpress admin page click Tools→ Network Setup.
2. For "Addresses of Sites in your Network" select Sub-domains.
3. Check that the details for your Domain, Network Title and Email are correct. Network title can be whatever you wish to name the Multisite network.
4. Click Install.

At this point, you will need to modify both your wp-config.php and .htacess files.

Wordpress will display the additions that must be made to each file.

Once these files have been updated, you can navigate to Network Settings in order to administrate your new network.

See the following article for an in-depth view of how to administrate a Wordpress Multisite Network:

• Multisite Network Administration

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