Many global businesses have their service or product sold at different locations. Now interacting with local customers need modified content. But designing different website for different location not only is high expensive but impact the brand too.
Instead, you can opt for multisite. This is a technique of creation as many sites as you want from a single URL with customer- centric content. The most important thing is that the main website design, themes, plugins and the domain name remains same. Only the sub domain name changes with the sites you access.
WordPress is an excellent platform to setup multisite options. Normally you are given a single administrator access. But for multisite you will be given separate administrator for each site. Besides, the main site can be used for accessing the sub sites too. WordPress web hosting supports multisite website hosting too.
This blog will help you guide through the steps of setting up multisite network with WordPress hosting.
What is Different in Multisite WordPress Network?
Normally for a single user, the WordPress account has a single site. In this case you will have multiple sites. Each of them have separate administrator but each of them can be accessed through the main website’s administration.
It also adds up some screen which are helpful for managing the sites. In this case also separate database tables are created for the separate sites.
Thus, it helps in managing multiple sites efficiently without much hassles.
Who Mainly Opt For Multisite?
With so many benefits, Multisite is beneficial for many sectors. Here listed are some of the beneficiaries of the WordPress multisite.
- Organizations having multiple branches
- Businesses running different division under single unit
- Hosting sites for multiple clients
- Used as intranet
- Community groups and organizations can use this multisite.
- To monetize WordPress site.
- Blogsites
- Applicable for school websites too
So, as you can see there are lot of practical applications of multisite. Not only they help in businesses to grow but make every website related works more efficient and time saving too.
Requirements for Multisite Network in WordPress Hosting
The very first thing that you need is a good WordPress hosting service provider who will help in hosting the multisite. If you expect low traffic, then opt for shared hosting. Or you can opt for the VPS or dedicated hosting. (as per your business needs).
But commonly multisite networks are best run by VPS hosting.
Infosky Solutions offers WordPress VPS web hosting at a very affordable cost. Also we provide the control panel that will help the user to get the access to the server space.
Along with a web host provider you need a domain name too. All the multisite will use the same domain. Only the sub domain names will be changed. That depends completely on the business requirements.
Now when these two basic tasks are done, get a WordPress website ready.
Get Ready For Multisite- Steps To Install
Multisite network is a readymade feature. No new installation is required if you are having a WordPress Site. So here are the steps:
1. Configure the website
Configuration of the website’s file is the first step. For WordPress you can find it in the root directory of the website’s file. It is mentioned as “wp-config.php”
In this file the details of the site like database and hostname, user name, password are stored.
Open up that file and you will be directed to multiple lines of coding. Check out for the line
/* That’s all, stop editing! Happy publishing. */
Just above that line, add:
/* Multisite */
define( ‘WP_ALLOW_MULTISITE’, true );
Don’t forget to save the changes and them close the window. Thus you enabled the multisite with your WordPress site.
2. Configuration of the network
Next visit the WordPress admin part. Find out the “Network set-up” portion under the “Tools” section.
Deactivate any plugins before setting up
Next choose whatever you want to use- subdomains or sub directories. The choice will affect the sites within that network. Remember it cannot be changed later on.
Now provide the network details as you find them on screen. Make sure all the information is correct.
Once it is done click on the install button.
There you will find a code. This code has to be added in the .htaccess and wp-config files. This has to be either with FTP client or the cPanel that your hosting provider has given you.
This would complete the entire set-up.
3. Multisite Network configuration
Now visit the admin page of the WordPress site.
Visit as per instruction: My site>> Network Admin>>dashboard.
In the dashboard you can add up new sites, create new users and install the themes and plugins. For changing the network settings, visit the setting tab.
Now from here you can access and manage each of the sites and also the main website too.
Frequently asked question
- Is it possible to enable multiple in existing WordPress site?
Yes that is absolutely possible. But any websites that is older than 1 month will not allow to configure multiple with sub directories. You need to do it with sub domains. Some issues about editing codes may be faced too. So it is always suggested to freshly create a WordPress site and configure the multisite immediately.
- Can My hosting provider help in this set-up?
Yes, if you are availing managed WordPress VPS hosting form Infosky Solutions, then surely you will be provided the technical assistance too.
- Which is the best hosting package for multisite?
Whatever traffic demand you have, for multisite websites it is best to take up fully manages WordPress VPS hosting only.
