What is wordpress multisite?

Feb 18 • 2 min read

Knowledge Base > Wordpress > What is wordpress multisite?

WordPress Multisite is a feature that allows you to create a network of multiple WordPress websites, all within a single installation. With WordPress Multisite, you can create and manage multiple sites from a single dashboard, making it easier to manage and update a large number of websites.

In a Multisite installation, one website is designated as the “parent” site, which acts as the central hub for managing the network. Additional sites can be created as “child” sites, each with their own unique domain or subdomain. Users can be assigned to specific sites or given access to manage the entire network.

WordPress Multisite is often used by organizations or individuals who manage multiple websites, such as universities, businesses, or bloggers with multiple websites. It allows for easier management of multiple websites and provides a more streamlined workflow for updating and maintaining them.

Here is an example of how WordPress Multisite can be used:

Imagine you are a large company that has several different departments, each with their own website. You want to be able to manage all of these websites from a central location, rather than having to log in to each site separately to make updates. With WordPress Multisite, you can create a network of all of your department websites and manage them from a single dashboard.

You might create a main “parent” site that serves as the hub for your network, and then create “child” sites for each department’s website, with its own unique subdomain or domain name. For example:

  • maincompanywebsite.com (parent site)
  • sales.maincompanywebsite.com (child site)
  • marketing.maincompanywebsite.com (child site)
  • hr.maincompanywebsite.com (child site)

With this setup, you can manage all of your department websites from a single dashboard, making it easy to make updates and changes across the entire network. You can also assign specific users to manage each department’s website or give them access to the entire network as needed.

Useful Links:

  1. WordPress
  2. Kinsta

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Common Questions

  • WordPress Multisite: how does it work?

    WordPress Multisite is a feature that allows you to create multiple websites using a single WordPress installation. Each website in the network can have its own domain or subdomain, and share themes, plugins, and settings.

    It’s an efficient way to manage multiple websites from a single dashboard, and it’s commonly used for businesses, organizations, and educational institutions that need to manage multiple websites with different content and user permissions.

     

  • How do you set up a WordPress Multisite network?

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    ere’s a brief overview of the steps to set up a WordPress Multisite network:

    1. Back up your WordPress site: Before making any major changes to your site, it’s always a good idea to back up your site files and database.
    2. Enable Multisite: Open your wp-config.php file and add the following code:
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      define( 'WP_ALLOW_MULTISITE', true );
    3. Install network: In your WordPress admin dashboard, go to Tools > Network Setup. Follow the instructions to install the network.
    4. Configure network settings: Once the network is installed, you’ll need to configure the settings. This includes choosing between subdomains or subdirectories for your network structure, setting up your site registration options, and adding any necessary code to your .htaccess and wp-config.php files.
    5. Add sites to the network: From the Super Admin dashboard, you can add new sites to the network, set up their domain or subdomain, and manage their settings.
    6. Manage network sites: You can switch between sites in the network using the My Sites menu, and you can manage global settings for all sites from the Super Admin dashboard.

  • Can you use different themes and plugins for each site in a WordPress Multisite network?

    Yes, you can use different themes and plugins for each site in a WordPress Multisite network. Each site in the network has its own separate database tables and directories, so you can activate and customize different themes and plugins for each site without affecting the others.

    This allows you to create unique websites with their own distinct styles and features while still benefiting from the centralized management and updates of a Multisite network.

  • How do you manage users and permissions in a WordPress Multisite network?

    In a WordPress Multisite network, you can manage users and permissions from the Super Admin dashboard. You can create and manage user accounts, set different levels of access and permissions for different users, and control which users have access to which sites in the network.

    The Super Admin can also install and manage plugins and themes for all sites in the network, and can control which themes and plugins are available to each site. This centralized management system allows you to easily control and manage user accounts and permissions across multiple sites in the network.

  • Can you migrate a single WordPress site to a WordPress Multisite network, or vice versa?

    Yes, it is possible to migrate a single WordPress site to a WordPress Multisite network or to migrate a site from a Multisite network to a single WordPress site. However, the process can be complex and may require a backup of your site’s files and database, as well as making changes to the WordPress core files and database.

    There are plugins and tools available that can simplify the migration process, but it’s important to thoroughly test and backup your site before making any changes to avoid any potential data loss or issues.

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