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Install WordPress Multisite

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What is WordPress Multisite for and what advantages does it offer?
Install WordPress Multisite: preparations and requirements
Install WordPress Multisite: step by step instructions
WordPress Multisite: make adjustments
Check if the permalink settings work
Determine the WordPress Multisite URL Structure
Complete the lines of code in the WordPress wp-config.php file
Adaptations in the WordPress backend
Insert the generated code snippets in wp-config.php and .htaccess

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Install WordPress Multisite

WordPress Multisite can create and manage so centralized a network of different websites using a single WordPress installation thanks to super administrator rights. Here we show you the advantages it offers and how to configure WordPress Multisite step by step ..

Index
  1. What is WordPress Multisite for and what advantages does it offer?
  2. Install WordPress Multisite: preparations and requirements
    1. Check if the permalink settings work
    2. Determine the WordPress Multisite URL Structure
  3. Install WordPress Multisite: step by step instructions
    1. Complete the lines of code in the WordPress wp-config.php file
    2. Adaptations in the WordPress backend
    3. Insert the generated code snippets in wp-config.php and .htaccess
  4. WordPress Multisite: make adjustments

What is WordPress Multisite for and what advantages does it offer?

WordPress Multisite is always a good option to centrally manage different WordPress websites. A WordPress Multisite serves as the basis for different websites. Pages that are part of this network have many things in common, especially in design and functions, as the super administrator of a WordPress Multisite decide what topic (design templates) and what plugins are installed centrally and, Therefore, they appear on each of the websites. This super administrator can define the design and functions of each of the websites and generate authorizations for sub-administrators (in WordPress they are called users ).

The most relevant advantage of having a WordPress Multisite network is, in addition to the centralized control possibilities , the savings in time and costs :

  • All the websites on the network are in a single WordPress installation and since they all use the same themes and plugins , storage space is saved.
  • All themes and plugins are managed centrally. The corresponding updates are executed only once instead of once for each website on the network.
  • Powerful control options are available to the super administrator of the Multisite network , especially in relation to layout (themes) and functions ( plugins ).

Among the areas of use of WordPress Multisite are, among others:

  • Companies and private individuals who want to design and operate different WordPress websites efficiently and economically, as well as additional landing pages to the website in question or individual websites by country.
  • Large companies and business groups with different websites: Control capabilities and unified design elements make it easy to implement corporate design.
  • Agencies that design, host and maintain WordPress websites for clients. WordPress Multisite is in this case an inexpensive and relatively simple possibility to offer this service to all types of clients.

Install WordPress Multisite: preparations and requirements

A WordPress Multisite can be configured in an existing WordPress installation previously taking the following precautions :

  • Disable all plugins .
  • Create a backup of your WordPress website so that you can restore it if necessary.
  • Make sure that you can modify the code of the WordPress pages through an FTP access, for example, directly through the provider or through an FTP client like FileZilla.
  • Make sure the permalink settings work in your WordPress installation.
  • Think in advance what URL structure your WordPress Multisite should have. During the installation process, you must decide on a subdomain structure or a subdirectory structure , a choice that cannot be changed later.

In the following paragraphs we will explain in detail how to check the permalinks and URL structure of a WordPress Multisite..

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IONOS has a comprehensive WordPress hosting offer, within which it is also relatively easy to set up WordPress Multisites.

Check if the permalink settings work

The permalinks settings can be found in the WordPress backend , in the Settings area . Through the settings of the permalinks, it is possible to determine which aspect each of the subpages of the website should present, for example, 'https: //examplepage.es/ ? P = 123'   or, instead, 'https: // pageexample.es / subpage-name ' . It is important that the adaptation of the permalinks in the system works. If you're not sure if this is the case, try adapting the permalinks on a trial basis. If you change something in the General Settings for permalinks , a modified URL should appear in the browser. In order for the changes to show up in the browser, you will most likely need to reload the page..

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Permalinks: general settings.

Determine the WordPress Multisite URL Structure

Before installing your WordPress Multisite, you must decide what URL structure you want to give it: you can choose between a subdomain structure or a conventional subdirectory structure. Take into account when deciding the structure, through which you can access the different pages of your Multisite, that once installed you will not be able to change it.

Example of structure with subdomains: ´https: // website1 .my-domainprincipal.es´ ; ´https: // website2 .my-domainprincipal.es ´; ´ https: // website3 .my-domainprincipal.es` etc.

Example of a structure with subdirectories: 'https://mi-dominioprincipal.es/ website1' ; 'https://my-domainprincipal.es/ website2' ; 'https://my-domainprincipal.es/ website3' etc.

The URL structure is a decisive factor, among other things, for search engine optimization (SEO) . If you use a subdomain structure, search engines will basically consider each of them? P. ex. ´ advantages and disadvantages with respect to SEO that should be known previously. Apart from this, keep in mind that search engines like Google change their rules from time to time.

Install WordPress Multisite: step by step instructions

Once all the aforementioned measures have been taken, we can proceed with the step-by-step installation of WordPress Multisite . The installation of a WordPress Multisite is basically developed as follows:

  • Complete the lines of code in the WordPress wp-config.php file and authorize WP Multisite
  • Perform installation on the WordPress backend and generate two code snippets
  • Insert generated snippets in WordPress wp-config.php and .htaccess files

Complete the lines of code in the WordPress wp-config.php file

Step 1: download the WordPress wp-config.php file to your computer and save it locally. To do this, you can use an FTP program from your provider or use an FTP client like FileZilla. Some providers allow you to open the wp-config.php file , modify it and update it directly on the system, in which case it will not be necessary to download it. Regardless of the version you choose, the important thing is not to lose any information during the process.

Step 2: open the wp-config.php file and search the code for the following line:

  /* ¡Eso es todo, deja de editar! Feliz blogging. */  

Or, if the WordPress installation is in English, the following line:

  /* That's all, stop editing! Happy blogging. */  

Just above this line, enter the following code snippet :

  define( 'WP_ALLOW_MULTISITE', true );  
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Wp-config.php file with added line of code define ('WP_ALLOW_MULTISITE', true);

Step 3: depending on how you acted in step 1, now reload the modified wp-config.php file from your computer to the system. If you have a suitable provider, you can store and update it directly in the system.

Adaptations in the WordPress backend

Step 4: once you have done the previous steps, open the WordPress backend . You may need to update it. Here you will find, in the Tools area , the new Configure network point . When you open it, you can decide if the structure of the new Multisite network is based on subdomains or subdirectories. Next, enter a title for the network and your email address as network administrator in this window. Then click Install .

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Tools? Configure network: possibility to choose between subdomains and subdirectories.

Step 5: after clicking Install , WordPress generates two code snippets in the following window that you will have to copy and paste in the following steps into the WordPress wp-config.php or .htaccess files .

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Tools? Configure network: code snippet to activate the network.

Insert the generated code snippets in wp-config.php and .htaccess

Step 6: As you have done before, open the WordPress wp-config.php file . Copy the code snippet that you have previously obtained in the WordPress backend and paste it in the code of the wp-config.php file and, specifically, again above this line of code

  /* ¡Eso es todo, deja de editar! Feliz blogging. */  

or above this line of code

  /* That's all, stop editing! Happy blogging. */  

Then load wp-config.php again or save and update it directly in your provider.

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Wp-config.php file with added WordPress backend code.

Step 7: Repeat the same process with the following code snippet from the WordPress backend and the .htaccess file . In most cases it is about overwriting the existing code with the WordPress backend code . An existing .htaccess file with the code to be overwritten might look like this:

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Existing .htaccess file, with the code to replace highlighted.

The new .htaccess file with the new code would look like this:

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New .htaccess file with the replaced WordPress backend code.

Once the new .htaccess file is updated or loaded accordingly, you will have finished installing your WordPress Multisite. Now you can make different settings on your network, for which you will have to log in to WordPress again .

WordPress Multisite: make adjustments

As a super administrator with extensive rights, you can carry out the most diverse adjustments in your new WordPress Multisite network. For example, you can add new websites to the network or install new themes and plugins . In the same way, you can add new users with administrator rights for each of the websites on your network.

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Network administration: configuration possibilities for a WordPress Multisite network.
Note

You will find general information about WordPress in the post? Create a website with WordPress ?. The most relevant information about WordPress security can be found in the article? WordPress security: the most used security plugins ?. In the post? The most popular WordPress themes? The best WordPress website designs are presented.


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