WordPress Multisite Setup Guide

1. What Is WordPress Multisite? #

WordPress Multisite lets you run multiple websites from one WordPress installation. One dashboard. One set of plugins. One hosting environment. Perfect for:

• Businesses with multiple brands or departments
• Agencies managing client sites
• Schools, franchises, communities
• Multi‑language or regional websites

With WebHostsOnline’s optimised hosting stack, Multisite runs fast, stable, and secure — exactly how it should.

2. Before You Start #

Make sure you have:

• A WebHostsOnline hosting plan with Pretty Permalinks enabled
• Access to your File Manager or SFTP
• Ability to edit wp-config.php and .htaccess
• A full backup (always recommended)
• All plugins temporarily deactivated

Tip: If you plan to use subdomains, set up a wildcard DNS record: *.yourdomain.com → your server IP

3. Choose Your Multisite Structure #

Option A — Subdomains #

site1.yourdomain.com store.yourdomain.com Best for: clean separation, branding, or large networks.

Option B — Subdirectories #

yourdomain.com/site1 yourdomain.com/store Best for: simple setups, internal networks, or smaller sites.

4. Enable Multisite in wp-config.php #

1. Open wp-config.php
2. Above the line: /* That's all, stop editing! Happy publishing. */ Add:

Code

define( 'WP_ALLOW_MULTISITE', true );

3. Save the file
4. Refresh your WordPress admin

You’ll now see Tools → Network Setup

5. Run the Network Setup Wizard #

1. Go to: Tools → Network Setup
2. Choose Subdomains or Subdirectories
3. Enter your Network Title
4. Enter your Admin Email
5. Click Install

WordPress will now show you two code blocks — keep this page open.

6. Add the Multisite Code #

6.1 Update wp-config.php #

WordPress will give you lines similar to:

Code

define( 'MULTISITE', true );
define( 'SUBDOMAIN_INSTALL', false ); // true for subdomains
define( 'DOMAIN_CURRENT_SITE', 'yourdomain.com' );
define( 'PATH_CURRENT_SITE', '/' );
define( 'SITE_ID_CURRENT_SITE', 1 );
define( 'BLOG_ID_CURRENT_SITE', 1 );

Paste them exactly where WordPress instructs.

6.2 Update .htaccess #

Replace your existing WordPress rewrite rules with the ones WordPress provides.

Example (Apache):

Code

RewriteEngine On
RewriteBase /
RewriteRule ^index\.php$ - [L]

# Multisite rules go here

Save the file.

7. Log Back In — Welcome to Network Admin #

WordPress will log you out. Log back in and you’ll now see:

My Sites → Network Admin

This is your Super Admin area — the control centre for your entire network.

8. Create Your First Site #

1. Go to: My Sites → Network Admin → Sites → Add New
2. Enter:
   • Site Address
   • Site Title
   • Admin Email
3. Click Add Site

Your new site is now live inside the network.

9. Managing Themes & Plugins in Multisite #

Super Admin (You) Can: #

• Install themes
• Install plugins
• Enable/disable network‑wide features
• Add/remove sites
• Manage all users

Site Admins Can: #

• Manage content
• Manage users on their site
• Activate themes/plugins you’ve allowed
• Cannot install new plugins or themes

10. Optional: Custom Domains (Domain Mapping) #

If a sub‑site needs its own domain:

1. Point the domain’s DNS to your server
2. Go to: Network Admin → Sites → Edit
3. Change the Site Address (URL) to the new domain
4. Ensure SSL is installed for that domain

WebHostsOnline supports full domain mapping with zero fuss.