Are you managing multiple WordPress websites and finding it overwhelming to update plugins, themes, and users on each site individually? With WordPress Multisite, you can handle multiple websites under a single WordPress installation. It saves your time, simplifies management, and streamlines updates.
In this guide, you will learn and get a detailed idea about WordPress Multisite, when to use it, and how to set it up without technical headaches.
What is WordPress Multisite?
WordPress Multisite is a feature that allows you to create and run multiple websites from a single WordPress installation while sharing the same core files, plugins, and themes. Each site in your network can have its own:
- Admin dashboard.
- Unique domain or subdomain
- Themes and plugins (controlled by the network admin)
- Content and users.
When Should You Use WordPress Multisite?
Before you set up a multisite network, ensure it’s suitable for your use case:
- You want centralized control over updates.
- You need separate sites under one brand (e.g., site1.yourdomain.com, site2.yourdomain.com).
- Your hosting environment can handle the additional database and traffic load.
Create a WordPress Multisite Network
Step 02: Activate multisite mode
Open your wp-config.php file and add:
define('WP_ALLOW_MULTISITE', true);Save and upload the file back to your server.
Step 02: Activate network mode
- Go to Tools > Network Setup in your WordPress dashboard. Choose:
- Subdirectories (yourdomain.com/site1).
- Enter a network title and network admin email.
- Click Install.
Step 03: Update wp-config.php and .htaccess
WordPress will now give you some code to add to:
✅ Update wp-config.php file
You will see the code like the following example. Add the provided lines (typically including MULTISITE, SUBDOMAIN_INSTALL, and DOMAIN_CURRENT_SITE).
define( 'MULTISITE', true ); define( 'SUBDOMAIN_INSTALL', false ); define( 'DOMAIN_CURRENT_SITE', 'demos.bluewindlab.net' ); define( 'PATH_CURRENT_SITE', '/' ); define( 'SITE_ID_CURRENT_SITE', 1 ); define( 'BLOG_ID_CURRENT_SITE', 1 );
✅ Update .htaccess file
Replace existing WordPress rewrite rules with the generated multisite rules.
RewriteEngine On
RewriteRule .* - [E=HTTP_AUTHORIZATION:%{HTTP:Authorization}]
RewriteBase /
RewriteRule ^index\.php$ - [L]
# add a trailing slash to /wp-admin
RewriteRule ^([_0-9a-zA-Z-]+/)?wp-admin$ $1wp-admin/ [R=301,L]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} -f [OR]
RewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} -d
RewriteRule ^ - [L]
RewriteRule ^([_0-9a-zA-Z-]+/)?(wp-(content|admin|includes).*) $2 [L]
RewriteRule ^([_0-9a-zA-Z-]+/)?(.*\.php)$ $2 [L]
RewriteRule . index.php [L]Save both files and reupload them.
Step 04: Log Back In
Log out and log back in to see the Network Admin dashboard under My Sites > Network Admin.
Important Notes
✅ Domain Mapping: If you wish to map custom domains (clientsite.com instead of site1.yourdomain.com), use a domain mapping plugin or configure manually.
✅ Hosting Requirements: Ensure your hosting can handle multisite. For larger networks, we recommend using VPS or cloud hosting.
✅ Plugin Compatibility: Not all plugins are multisite compatible. Always test before deploying on live environments.
WordPress Multisite can save you time and simplify website management if you handle multiple related sites. It is a powerful tool for agencies, educational institutions, and businesses looking to expand while maintaining centralized control.
