{"id":6867,"date":"2024-10-09T08:49:40","date_gmt":"2024-10-09T08:49:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/?p=6867"},"modified":"2026-02-12T10:36:55","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T10:36:55","slug":"wordpress-multisite-setup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wordpress-multisite-setup\/","title":{"rendered":"WordPress Multisite Setup &amp; Installation Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"bsf_rt_marker\"><\/div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/wordpress-multisite-setup-3-1024x399.png\" alt=\"Header Text - WordPress Multisite Setup &amp; Installation Guide\" title=\"Hosted\u00ae Tutorial - WordPress Multisite Setup &amp; Installation Guide\" class=\"wp-image-6882\" width=\"1024\" height=\"399\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/wordpress-multisite-setup-3-1024x399.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/wordpress-multisite-setup-3-300x117.png 300w, https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/wordpress-multisite-setup-3-768x300.png 768w, https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/wordpress-multisite-setup-3-1536x599.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/wordpress-multisite-setup-3-2048x799.png 2048w, https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/wordpress-multisite-setup-3-960x374.png 960w, https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/wordpress-multisite-setup-3-603x235.png 603w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>WordPress is a powerful tool, and one of its standout features is WordPress Multisite. But what exactly is it? WordPress Multisite setup allows you to create and manage multiple websites, all from a single WordPress dashboard. Imagine running a network of websites\u2014each with its unique content, but you can control everything from one place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, a primary website with the <a alt=\"Link to Hosted.com Website - Domain Registration\" title=\"Hosted.com - Domain Registration\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/domains\/register-domains\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">domain name<\/a> for example <em>ITUniversity.com<\/em> can have subdomains such as; <em>CSDepartment.ITUniversity.com<\/em> and MathsDepartment.<em>ITUniversity<\/em>.com. Alternatively, you can create subdirectories such as <em>ITUniversity.com\/CSDepartment<\/em> and<em> ITUniversity.com\/MathsDepartment<\/em>. This is especially helpful for businesses, universities, or any organization that needs to manage several websites at once.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here, we show you everything you need to know about setting up and managing a WordPress Multisite setup. Whether you&#8217;re new to WordPress or just looking to expand your website\u2019s capabilities, you\u2019ll learn how to activate Multisite WordPress, manage your sites, and understand its many benefits. Let\u2019s get started!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading h4\" id=\"key-takeaways\">KEY TAKEAWAYS<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>WordPress Multisite setup lets you manage multiple websites from a single dashboard.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It\u2019s ideal for blogs, client networks, or organizations with several sites.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Set up Multisite by editing the <strong>wp-config.php<\/strong> and <strong>.htaccess<\/strong> files.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You can choose between subdomains or subdirectories, based on your needs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Manage themes, plugins, and user roles across all sites easily.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ensure regular backups and updates for security.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Troubleshoot common issues like domain mapping or plugin conflicts efficiently.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>WordPress Multisite setup simplifies managing large networks but requires careful maintenance.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-rank-math-toc-block\" id=\"rank-math-toc\"><h3 class=\"h4\">Table of Contents<\/h3><nav><ul><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#key-takeaways\">KEY TAKEAWAYS<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#what-is-word-press-multisite\">What is WordPress Multisite?<\/a><ul><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#site-admin-vs-super-admin\">Site Admin vs Super Admin<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#when-to-use-word-press-multisite-setup\">When to use WordPress Multisite Setup<\/a><ul><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#pros-of-word-press-multisite\">Pros of WordPress Multisite<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#cons-of-word-press-multisite\">Cons of WordPress Multisite<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#requirements-for-setting-up-multisite\">Requirements for Setting up Multisite<\/a><ul><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#hosting-requirements\">Hosting Requirements<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#word-press-installation\">WordPress Installation<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#technical-requirements\">Technical Requirements<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#backup-your-website\">Backup Your Website<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#how-to-enable-word-press-multisite-setup\">How to Enable WordPress Multisite Setup<\/a><ul><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#edit-wp-config-php-file\">Edit wp-config.php File<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#configure-multisite-network-structure\">Configure Multisite Network Structure<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#edit-wp-config-php-htaccess-file\">Edit wp-config.php &amp; .htaccess File<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#add-new-sites-to-multisite-network\">Add New Sites to Multisite Network<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#manage-themes-plugins-across-sites\">Manage Themes &amp; Plugins Across Sites<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#manage-users-in-word-press-multisite-setup\">Manage Users in WordPress Multisite Setup<\/a><ul><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#user-roles-in-multisite\">User Roles in Multisite<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#add-users-to-specific-sites\">Add Users to Specific Sites<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#multisite-maintenance-best-practices\">Multisite Maintenance &amp; Best Practices<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#troubleshoot-common-multisite-issues\">Troubleshoot Common Multisite Issues<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#fa-qs\">FAQs<\/a><\/li><li class=\"\"><a href=\"#other-related-tutorials-blogs\">Other Related Tutorials &amp; Blogs:<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading h3\" id=\"what-is-word-press-multisite\">What is WordPress Multisite?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>WordPress Multisite setup is a special feature of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/knowledgebase\/wordpress\/what-is-wordpress-cms\/\" alt=\"Link to Hosted.com KBs - What Is WordPress\" title=\"Hosted.com - What Is WordPress\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WordPress<\/a> that lets you create and manage multiple websites from a single WordPress installation. Instead of installing WordPress separately for each site, you can control several sites under one dashboard. This is helpful for people who want to manage a network of websites efficiently, such as schools, businesses, or large organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/blog\/wordpress-multisite-domain-mapping-guide\/\" alt=\"Link to Hosted.com Blogs - The Ultimate WordPress Multisite Domain Mapping Guide\" title=\"Hosted.com - The Ultimate WordPress Multisite Domain Mapping Guide\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WordPress Multisite<\/a>, all your websites share the same WordPress core files, plugins, and themes, but each site can have its unique settings, content, and users. This makes it easier to maintain and update because you only update WordPress, themes, and plugins once, and those updates will apply to all sites in the network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You may wonder how a WordPress Multisite setup differs from a single WordPress site. In a regular WordPress installation, you only manage one website. Each site you create will need separate WordPress installation, database, and admin login.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, in Multisite, you can have many websites that are part of one installation, meaning you can log in once and access all sites from a central dashboard. You don\u2019t need separate databases or installations for each site. Here are the key differences that you may look at below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Multisite introduces a special user role called \u201cSuper Admin\u201d who can manage the entire network of sites, while individual site administrators manage only their sites.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Plugins and themes are installed once and shared across all sites in the network.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You can create sites as subdomains (e.g., CSDepartment.ITUniversity.com) or subdirectories (e.g., ITUniversity.com\/CSDepartment) under the main site.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>As we mentioned, the WordPress Multisite network is managed by a \u201cSuper Admin\u201d, which raises another question: who manages the individual sites within this network?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading h4\" id=\"site-admin-vs-super-admin\">Site Admin vs Super Admin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In WordPress Multisite setup, there are two important roles: Super Admin and Site Admin. These roles have different levels of authority and control over the websites in the network. Let\u2019s break down the differences between them:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"super-admin\">Super Admin<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>The Super Admin is like the boss of the entire network in a WordPress Multisite setup. They have full control over all the websites in the network. They can:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Manage the entire network, including creating, deleting, and managing sites within the network.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Install and update plugins and themes that will be available for all sites.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Manage <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/blog\/wordpress-user-roles\/\" alt=\"Link to Hosted.com Blogs - Understanding WordPress User Roles - A Guide for Website Owners\" title=\"Hosted.com - Understanding WordPress User Roles - A Guide for Website Owners\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WordPress users<\/a> across all sites and assign roles to them.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Control global settings that affect every site on the network.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Access the network admin dashboard only available to a Super Admin.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Furthermore, they ensure that the network runs smoothly. They also handle all the big decisions and updates for the entire network of websites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"site-admin\">Site Admin<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>A Site Admin manages a single site within the network. While they control their site, they cannot access the network-wide settings. They:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Manage the content on the individual site, including posts, pages, media, and comments.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Install and activate plugins and themes \u2013 only if the Super Admin has made them available for the network.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Manage users for their specific site and assign roles like editor or author.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Customize the appearance of their site using available free <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/blog\/10-free-wordpress-themes\/\" alt=\"Link to Hosted.com Blogs - 10 Top Free WordPress Themes for your Website\" title=\"Hosted.com - 10 Top Free WordPress Themes for your Website\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WordPress themes<\/a> and settings.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Moreover, Site Admins focus on ensuring their specific site functions well and serves their purpose without worrying about the larger network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading h3\" id=\"when-to-use-word-press-multisite-setup\">When to use WordPress Multisite Setup<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>WordPress multisite setup is a powerful tool, but it\u2019s not always the right solution for every situation. Let\u2019s explore the best cases for using multisite, and the pros and cons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you need to run several websites from one <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/knowledgebase\/cpanel\/install-wordpress-hosted-panel\/\" alt=\"Link to Hosted.com KBs - How To Install WordPress From Softaculous\" title=\"Hosted.com - How To Install WordPress From Softaculous\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WordPress installation<\/a>, Multisite is ideal. For example, universities, large organizations, or companies with different branches often use Multisite to manage multiple sites from a single dashboard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, if you want to update plugins, themes, or WordPress for all the sites together, then multisite makes this easy. It saves time and ensures consistency across your network of sites. Multisite also allows you to create user roles for specific sites. For example, someone could be an admin on one site but only an editor on another within the same network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember, you can\u2019t use WordPress Multisite setup everywhere. For example, if your sites have different hosting requirements (such as needing different server configurations), Multisite may not be the best option. Each website in a Multisite network shares the same server resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, if you want each site to be completely independent, with specific plugins, themes, or users Multisite may not be ideal. Because in Multisite, all sites share the same WordPress core, plugins, and themes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Moreover, setting up and managing a Multisite network can be more complicated, especially if you&#8217;re unfamiliar with advanced WordPress features. A separate WordPress installation for each site might be easier for smaller projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now that you know when to use WordPress Multisite setup (and when not to), let\u2019s explore the highs and lows of WordPress Multisite below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading h4\" id=\"pros-of-word-press-multisite\">Pros of WordPress Multisite<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>As the network administrator, you can handle updates, backups, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wordpress-security-plugins-2\/\" alt=\"Link to Hosted.com Articles - WordPress Security Plugins - Enhancing WordPress Site Safety\" title=\"Hosted.com - WordPress Security Plugins - Enhancing WordPress Site Safety\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">security plugins<\/a> for all sites from a single WordPress dashboard. This centralized control saves time and simplifies the process of maintaining multiple websites.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Multisite allows you to assign site-specific administrators to different sites within the network. This enables shared management tasks without giving too much control to individual site admins.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If you manage multiple sites, Multisite lets you control which plugins and themes are used on each site. This helps reduce the risk of poorly optimized or insecure plugins affecting the entire network.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"margin-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 20px;\">\n<div class=\"bg-primary-xxlight rounded-md mt-3 mb-3 p-3 text-center border border-primary-xlight border-2x\">\n<p class=\"font09 m-0\">Choose <a alt=\"Link to Hosted.com Website - WordPress Hosting\" title=\"Hosted.com - WordPress Hosting\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/hosting\/wordpress\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hosted\u00ae\u2019s WordPress Hosting<\/a>, equipped with a variety of practical functionality features to support your website&#8217;s performance.<br>With our trusted service, you can confidently manage your site while we take care of the technical aspects.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading h4\" id=\"cons-of-word-press-multisite\">Cons of WordPress Multisite<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Since all sites share the same database, any backup or update must be applied across the entire network. You can&#8217;t back up or update individual sites separately.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>All sites within the network share the same server resources. All the sites in the network will be impacted If the server goes down or when a site is targeted by a cyberattack.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Each site\u2019s performance is influenced by the others. A traffic spike on one website can slow down other sites within the same network.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Not all themes and plugins are designed to work with Multisite. This can limit your options when choosing tools for your websites.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Not all <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/choosing-secure-wordpress-hosting\/\" alt=\"Link to Hosted.com Articles - Choosing Secure WordPress Hosting Providers - What to Look For\" title=\"Hosted.com - Choosing Secure WordPress Hosting Providers - What to Look For\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hosting providers<\/a> support WordPress Multisite setup, so your choice of web hosts may be more limited compared to single-site setups.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>So, WordPress Multisite setup is a great solution for managing several websites efficiently but is not always ideal for projects where sites operate independently or have different hosting needs. Always weigh the pros and cons before deciding if Multisite works for you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading h3\" id=\"requirements-for-setting-up-multisite\">Requirements for Setting up Multisite<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before setting up WordPress Multisite, ensure your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/hosting\/wordpress\" alt=\"Link to Hosted.com Website - WordPress Hosting\" title=\"Hosted.com - WordPress Hosting\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WordPress hosting<\/a> and technical environment are ready.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading h4\" id=\"hosting-requirements\">Hosting Requirements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Ensure your hosting provider supports WordPress Multisite setup. Not all web hosts allow this feature, so check with them before proceeding. Since all websites within the Multisite network will share the same server resources (memory, CPU, etc.), your <a alt=\"Link to Hosted.com KBs - What Is The Best Hosting Plan For My Website\" title=\"Hosted.com - What Is The Best Hosting Plan For My Website\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/knowledgebase\/pre-sales\/best-website-hosting-plan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hosting plan<\/a> should have enough capacity. We have already discussed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wordpress-multisite-hosting-requirements\/\" alt=\"Link to Hosted.com Articles - WordPress Multisite - Hosting Requirements and Recommendations\" title=\"Hosted.com - WordPress Multisite - Hosting Requirements and Recommendations\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">multisite hosting<\/a> requirements in detail, which you can find at the following link: <a alt=\"Link to Hosted.com Articles - WordPress Multisite - Hosting Requirements and Recommendations\" title=\"Hosted.com - WordPress Multisite - Hosting Requirements and Recommendations\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wordpress-multisite-hosting-requirements\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">WordPress Multisite: Hosting Requirements &amp; Recommendations<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Multisite typically requires more resources than a single WordPress installation, especially if you\u2019re running multiple high-traffic sites. Moreover, Multisite can work with either subdomains (e.g., mysite1.example.com) or subdirectories (e.g., example.com\/mysite1). For subdomains, you\u2019ll need <a href=\"https:\/\/runcloud.io\/blog\/how-to-create-a-wildcard-subdomain\" alt=\"Link to RunCloud - How to Create Wildcard Subdomain for Unlimited Subsites\" title=\"RunCloud - How to Create Wildcard Subdomain for Unlimited Subsites\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">wildcard subdomain<\/a> support from your hosting provider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading h4\" id=\"word-press-installation\">WordPress Installation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>WordPress Multisite setup is built on top of a standard WordPress installation. You need to install WordPress first before you can install WordPress Multisite and activate it. To do this, you need full admin access to your WordPress site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Multisite requires changes to core configuration files like <strong>wp-config.php <\/strong>(we\u2019ll explain this shortly), and these adjustments can only be made by a site administrator with an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/what-does-ftp-stand-for-with-wordpress\/\" alt=\"Link to Hosted.com Articles - WordPress And What Does FTP Stand For - A Beginners Guide\" title=\"Hosted.com - WordPress And What Does FTP Stand For - A Beginners Guide\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">FTP client<\/a> or hosting control panel (like cPanel) access.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading h4\" id=\"technical-requirements\">Technical Requirements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Ensure your server runs a compatible version of PHP (PHP 7.4 or higher is generally recommended). Your WordPress site should use a MySQL or MariaDB database. WordPress Multisite setup works with these database types and relies on sharing database tables across all sites in the network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you plan to use subdomains for your multisite network, you should set up wildcard DNS records for your domain. This allows <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/knowledgebase\/domains\/create-a-subdomain-in-cpanel\/\" alt=\"Link to Hosted.com KBs - How To Create A Subdomain In cPanel\" title=\"Hosted.com - How To Create A Subdomain In cPanel\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">new subdomains to be created<\/a> dynamically within the network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When setting up WordPress Multisite, plugins originally activated for a single site may not be fully compatible with the Multisite structure. Some plugins, especially those not designed for network usage, could cause issues during the setup process or afterward, resulting in errors or instability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, it\u2019s important to deactivate plugins before enabling Multisite. Once the WordPress Multisite setup is activated, you can re-enable plugins one at a time, ensuring they are compatible with the Multisite network. If a plugin conflicts with Multisite you can more easily identify it by testing it individually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One more thing that you must be careful about is to make sure to have a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/knowledgebase\/wordpress\/change-permalinks-wordpress\/\" alt=\"Link to Hosted.com KBs - How To Change Permalinks In WordPress\" title=\"Hosted.com - How To Change Permalinks In WordPress\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">clean permalink structure<\/a>. WordPress Multisite setup relies heavily on the permalink structure, especially if you use subdirectories for additional sites (e.g., example.com\/mysite1). If your permalink settings are not properly configured, it can lead to URL conflicts or broken links within your network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading h4\" id=\"backup-your-website\">Backup Your Website<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Before enabling Multisite, it\u2019s important to <a alt=\"Link to Hosted.com Tutorials - How to Backup Your WordPress Site - A Comprehensive Guide\" title=\"Hosted.com - How to Backup Your WordPress Site - A Comprehensive Guide\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/backup-wordpress-site\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">back up your WordPress site and database<\/a>. This ensures you can restore your website if something goes wrong during setup. Also, since Multisite increases the complexity of your WordPress installation, ensure you have security measures such as strong passwords, <a alt=\"Link to Hosted.com Website - DV SSL Certificates\" title=\"Hosted.com - DV SSL Certificates\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/security\/domain-validated-ssl-certificates\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SSL certificates<\/a>, and plugins for security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With these requirements sorted, you\u2019re ready to start your Multisite network!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading h3\" id=\"how-to-enable-word-press-multisite-setup\">How to Enable WordPress Multisite Setup<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Now that you\u2019ve created your website backup and stored it safely, it\u2019s time to enable Multisite by updating a special file in your WordPress setup. To do this, go through the following steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading h4\" id=\"edit-wp-config-php-file\">Edit wp-config.php File<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Use an FTP client or your hosting provider\u2019s <strong>File Manager<\/strong> to find your WordPress files. Hosted\u00ae users can locate <strong>File Manager<\/strong> at <strong>cPanel <\/strong>\u2192 <strong>Tools <\/strong>\u2192 <strong>Files <\/strong>\u2192 <strong>File Manager<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-block-image size-full\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/images\/kb\/tutorials\/Tut-OS-040-01.png\" alt=\"WordPress Multisite Setup &amp; Installation Guide - Access File Manager\" title=\"WordPress Multisite Setup &amp; Installation Guide - Access File Manager\" width=\"750\" height=\"287\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Look for the file named <strong>wp-config.php<\/strong> in the root directory of your WordPress. Then, select this file and click <strong>Edit <\/strong>to open it in a text editor.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-block-image size-full\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/images\/kb\/tutorials\/Tut-OS-040-02.png\" alt=\"WordPress Multisite Setup &amp; Installation Guide - Edit wp-config File\" title=\"WordPress Multisite Setup &amp; Installation Guide - Edit wp-config File\" width=\"753\" height=\"266\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Now, find the line that says <strong>\/* That&#8217;s all, stop editing! Happy publishing. *\/<\/strong> and add the following line right above it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>define('WP_ALLOW_MULTISITE', true);<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p>The above code snippet tells WordPress you want to use the Multisite feature. It\u2019s like flipping a switch to turn on Multisite. After that, click<strong> Save Changes<\/strong> to save your file.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-block-image size-full\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/images\/kb\/tutorials\/Tut-OS-040-03.png\" alt=\"WordPress Multisite Setup &amp; Installation Guide - Use Multisite Feature\" title=\"WordPress Multisite Setup &amp; Installation Guide - Use Multisite Feature\" width=\"754\" height=\"115\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading h4\" id=\"configure-multisite-network-structure\">Configure Multisite Network Structure<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>With Multisite enabled in your configuration file, the next step is to set up your network using the WordPress dashboard. To do this, go to your WordPress admin area by logging in to your website. Then, in the top menu, hover over <strong>Tools<\/strong> and click <strong>Network Setup<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-block-image size-full\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/images\/kb\/tutorials\/Tut-OS-040-04.png\" alt=\"WordPress Multisite Setup &amp; Installation Guide - Network Setup in WordPress\" title=\"WordPress Multisite Setup &amp; Installation Guide - Network Setup in WordPress\" width=\"634\" height=\"297\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Important: <\/strong>WordPress will prompt you to deactivate all the plugins if you haven\u2019t done so already.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the <strong>Network Setup<\/strong> page, choose between subdomains and subdirectories. Subdomains (e.g., <em>mysite1.mydomain.com<\/em>) are useful if you want each site to look like a separate website with its specific address. It\u2019s good for large networks, businesses, or when you plan to have many sites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, subdirectories (e.g., <em>mydomain.com\/mysite1<\/em>) are good if you prefer a simpler structure with all sites under the main domain. These are best for smaller networks or personal projects with fewer sites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As WordPress installation is not new in our example, the sites in our WordPress network will use subdomains. If this is the case with you, remember that the main website in a subdirectory installation will require using a modified permalink structure, potentially breaking existing links.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After that, provide the name of your network in the <strong>Network Title<\/strong> field. Also, write the super admin\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wordpress-email\/\" alt=\"Link to Hosted.com Articles - WordPress Email and Hosting - Integration and Options\" title=\"Hosted.com - WordPress Email and Hosting - Integration and Options\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">email address<\/a> in the <strong>Network Admin Email<\/strong> field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Double-check all the details, then click <strong>Install<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-block-image size-full\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/images\/kb\/tutorials\/Tut-OS-040-05.png\" alt=\"WordPress Multisite Setup &amp; Installation Guide - Configure WordPress Multisite Network\" title=\"WordPress Multisite Setup &amp; Installation Guide - Configure WordPress Multisite Network\" width=\"822\" height=\"377\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>After completing these steps, WordPress will guide you through a few more changes to your <strong>wp-config.php<\/strong> and <strong>.htaccess<\/strong> files. Follow the instructions carefully, and soon, you can have your WordPress Multisite setup up and running!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading h4\" id=\"edit-wp-config-php-htaccess-file\">Edit wp-config.php &amp; .htaccess File<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When you click <strong>Install <\/strong>in the previous step, WordPress will provide you with two code snippets, taking you one step closer to the WordPress Multisite setup.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-block-image size-full\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/images\/kb\/tutorials\/Tut-OS-040-06.png\" alt=\"WordPress Multisite Setup &amp; Installation Guide - Network Configuration for wp-config.php and .htaccess Files\" title=\"WordPress Multisite Setup &amp; Installation Guide - Network Configuration for wp-config.php and .htaccess Files\" width=\"806\" height=\"498\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Ensure you have a backup of<strong> wp-config.php<\/strong> and <strong>.htaccess<\/strong> files before changing them. Once done, go to <strong>cPanel <\/strong>\u2192 <strong>Tools <\/strong>\u2192 <strong>Files <\/strong>\u2192 <strong>File Manager<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-block-image size-full\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/images\/kb\/tutorials\/Tut-OS-040-07.png\" alt=\"WordPress Multisite Setup &amp; Installation Guide - File Manager in cPanel\" title=\"WordPress Multisite Setup &amp; Installation Guide - File Manager in cPanel\" width=\"626\" height=\"252\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Head over to <em>\/public_html\/<\/em> (the WordPress root directory), click on the <strong>wp-config.php<\/strong> file to select it, then click <strong>Edit <\/strong>to open this file in cPanel\u2019s built-in editor. Once opened, add the following code:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>define( 'MULTISITE', true );\ndefine( 'SUBDOMAIN_INSTALL', true );\ndefine( 'DOMAIN_CURRENT_SITE', 'www.writeyourdomainname.online' );\ndefine( 'PATH_CURRENT_SITE', '\/' );\ndefine( 'SITE_ID_CURRENT_SITE', 1 );\ndefine( 'BLOG_ID_CURRENT_SITE', 1 );<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n<p>Ensure you replace <strong>www.writeyourdomainname.online<\/strong> with your actual domain name. Then, click <strong>Save Changes<\/strong> to save your file with the latest modifications.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-block-image size-full\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/images\/kb\/tutorials\/Tut-OS-040-08.png\" alt=\"WordPress Multisite Setup &amp; Installation Guide - Edit wp-config.php File\" title=\"WordPress Multisite Setup &amp; Installation Guide - Edit wp-config.php File\" width=\"752\" height=\"165\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>After updating the<strong> wp-config.php<\/strong> file, go to your site\u2019s <strong>.htaccess<\/strong> file in the root directory. Replace the existing WordPress rules with the following new code provided by the <strong>Network Setup<\/strong> page. Don\u2019t forget to save your file after making these changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<pre class=\"wp-block-code\"><code>RewriteEngine On\nRewriteRule .* - &#91;E=HTTP_AUTHORIZATION:%{HTTP:Authorization}]\nRewriteBase \/\nRewriteRule ^index.php$ - &#91;L]\n\n# add a trailing slash to \/wp-admin\nRewriteRule ^wp-admin$ wp-admin\/ &#91;R=301,L]\nRewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} -f &#91;OR]\nRewriteCond %{REQUEST_FILENAME} -d\nRewriteRule ^ - &#91;L]\nRewriteRule ^(wp-(content|admin|includes).*) $1 &#91;L]\nRewriteRule ^(.*.php)$ $1 &#91;L]\nRewriteRule . index.php &#91;L]<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-block-image size-full\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/images\/kb\/tutorials\/Tut-OS-040-09.png\" alt=\"WordPress Multisite Setup &amp; Installation Guide - Add Configuration Rule to .htaccess File\" title=\"WordPress Multisite Setup &amp; Installation Guide - Add Configuration Rule to .htaccess File\" width=\"568\" height=\"220\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Once you conclude these steps, your network is enabled and configured. You will have to log in to your WordPress admin area once again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Important: <\/strong>If you cannot access your web hosting account, you can still access <strong>wp-config.php<\/strong> and <strong>.htaccess<\/strong> files using an FTP client (like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/knowledgebase\/hosting\/configure-a-site-in-filezilla\/\" alt=\"Link to Hosted.com KBs - How To Configure A Site In FileZilla\" title=\"Hosted.com - How To Configure A Site In FileZilla\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">FileZilla<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading h3\" id=\"add-new-sites-to-multisite-network\">Add New Sites to Multisite Network<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you install the WordPress Multisite network and are ready to add new sites, follow these steps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First, log into your WordPress dashboard as a Super Admin. Only Super Admin users have the authority to add new sites in a WordPress multisite setup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the top left of the WordPress dashboard, hover over <strong>My Sites<\/strong>. In the dropdown, click <strong>Network Admin<\/strong> \u2192 <strong>Sites<\/strong>. This will take you to the network sites management section, where you can view and manage all existing sites.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-block-image size-full\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/images\/kb\/tutorials\/Tut-OS-040-11.png\" alt=\"WordPress Multisite Setup &amp; Installation Guide - Add or Manage Sites to Multisite Network\" title=\"WordPress Multisite Setup &amp; Installation Guide - Add or Manage Sites to Multisite Network\" width=\"624\" height=\"231\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Once in the <strong>Sites <\/strong>section, click <strong>Add New Site<\/strong> at the top of the page. This will open a form where you can fill in the details for the new site.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-block-image size-full\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/images\/kb\/tutorials\/Tut-OS-040-12.png\" alt=\"WordPress Multisite Setup &amp; Installation Guide - Add New Site\" title=\"WordPress Multisite Setup &amp; Installation Guide - Add New Site\" width=\"624\" height=\"382\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>You will now be prompted to provide the following details for the new site:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Site Address: <\/strong>Enter the new site\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/domain-vs-url\/\" alt=\"Link to Hosted.com Articles - Domain vs. URL - A Definitive Guide to Understanding Web Addresses\" title=\"Hosted.com - Domain vs. URL - A Definitive Guide to Understanding Web Addresses\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">site address (URL)<\/a>. If you are using subdomains, this will be in the format <em>mysite1.example.com<\/em>. If you\u2019re using subdirectories, it will look like this: <em>example.com\/mysite1<\/em>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Site Title: <\/strong>Provide a name for the site. This will appear as the site\u2019s title and help you identify it in the network.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Site Language: <\/strong>You may select the language for your new website.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Admin Email:<\/strong> Enter the email address for the site&#8217;s administrator. This will be the person responsible for managing the new site. If the email doesn\u2019t belong to an existing user, WordPress will create a new user account with that email.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>After filling out the required fields, click <strong>Add Site<\/strong> at the bottom of the page. WordPress will create a new site that will appear in your <strong>Sites <\/strong>list.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-block-image size-full\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/images\/kb\/tutorials\/Tut-OS-040-13.png\" alt=\"WordPress Multisite Setup &amp; Installation Guide - Add New Site\" title=\"WordPress Multisite Setup &amp; Installation Guide - Add New Site\" width=\"754\" height=\"273\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Once the new site is added, you can view and manage it by going to <strong>My Sites<\/strong> \u2192 <strong>Network Admin<\/strong> \u2192 <strong>Sites<\/strong>. You\u2019ll see the new site listed alongside other sites in your network. Click <strong>Edit <\/strong>under the new site to adjust settings like the theme, users, and plugins.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-block-image size-full\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/images\/kb\/tutorials\/Tut-OS-040-14.png\" alt=\"WordPress Multisite Setup &amp; Installation Guide - Edit Newly Created Site\" title=\"WordPress Multisite Setup &amp; Installation Guide - Edit Newly Created Site\" width=\"693\" height=\"208\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading h3\" id=\"manage-themes-plugins-across-sites\">Manage Themes &amp; Plugins Across Sites<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the best features of WordPress Multisite setup is that you can control themes and plugins from a central location, allowing you to enable or disable them for all sites or individual ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a Super Admin, you can manage themes from the <strong>My Sites<\/strong> \u2192 <strong>Network Admin<\/strong> \u2192 <strong>Themes <\/strong>section. You can enable themes for the entire network, making them available to all sites. Alternatively, you can enable themes for specific sites, giving individual Site Admins control over the theme&#8217;s activation.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-block-image size-full\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/images\/kb\/tutorials\/Tut-OS-040-15.png\" alt=\"WordPress Multisite Setup &amp; Installation Guide - Install or Activate Theme for Entire Multisite Network\" title=\"WordPress Multisite Setup &amp; Installation Guide - Install or Activate Theme for Entire Multisite Network\" width=\"695\" height=\"190\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>However, for plugins, go to <strong>Network Admin <\/strong>\u2192 <strong>Plugins<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-block-image size-full\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/images\/kb\/tutorials\/Tut-OS-040-16.png\" alt=\"WordPress Multisite Setup &amp; Installation Guide - Install or Activate Plugins Over Entire Multisite Network\" title=\"WordPress Multisite Setup &amp; Installation Guide - Install or Activate Plugins Over Entire Multisite Network\" width=\"818\" height=\"272\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>You can choose to <strong>Network Activate<\/strong> plugins, which means they will be automatically available to all sites. If you prefer to give individual Site Admins control, you can install the plugins without activating them network-wide, allowing each site to activate or deactivate them as required.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-block-image size-full\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/images\/kb\/tutorials\/Tut-OS-040-17.png\" alt=\"WordPress Multisite Setup &amp; Installation Guide - Network-wide Activate Plugins\" title=\"WordPress Multisite Setup &amp; Installation Guide - Network-wide Activate Plugins\" width=\"632\" height=\"207\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading h3\" id=\"manage-users-in-word-press-multisite-setup\">Manage Users in WordPress Multisite Setup<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Managing users in a WordPress Multisite setup is an essential task that allows you to control who can access different areas of your network and individual sites. WordPress Multisite setup has a specific user management system; it\u2019s different from managing a single WordPress site. Here\u2019s a detailed breakdown of user roles and how to add users to a specific site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading h4\" id=\"user-roles-in-multisite\">User Roles in Multisite<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In a WordPress Multisite network, user roles are split into two main levels: Super Admin and Site Admin. However, here\u2019s a brief introduction for both roles:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Super Admin: <\/strong>Manages the entire network, including all sites. They\u2019re responsible for network-wide management, controlling users across all sites in the network. They can add users to the network and give them access to multiple sites or specific ones.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Site Admin: <\/strong>Controls only their specific site. They can\u2019t make changes to the whole network. They can only manage users who are part of their site. They cannot add users to the network but can assign roles to users on their site.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading h4\" id=\"add-users-to-specific-sites\">Add Users to Specific Sites<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s a step-by-step guide on how to add users to a specific site within your WordPress Multisite setup:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a Super Admin, navigate to <strong>My Sites<\/strong> \u2192 <strong>Network Admin<\/strong> \u2192 <strong>Dashboard<\/strong>. This is where you can manage all users and sites.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-block-image size-full\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/images\/kb\/tutorials\/Tut-OS-040-18.png\" alt=\"WordPress Multisite Setup &amp; Installation Guide - Network Admin Dashboard\" title=\"WordPress Multisite Setup &amp; Installation Guide - Network Admin Dashboard\" width=\"619\" height=\"263\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Now, go to <strong>Sites <\/strong>\u2192 <strong>All Sites<\/strong> in the network admin dashboard and find the specific site you want to add a user.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-block-image size-full\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/images\/kb\/tutorials\/Tut-OS-040-19.png\" alt=\"WordPress Multisite Setup &amp; Installation Guide - All Sites Settings\" title=\"WordPress Multisite Setup &amp; Installation Guide - All Sites Settings\" width=\"751\" height=\"238\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Hover over the site name and click <strong>Dashboard<\/strong> to access that site\u2019s admin panel.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-block-image size-full\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/images\/kb\/tutorials\/Tut-OS-040-20.png\" alt=\"WordPress Multisite Setup &amp; Installation Guide - Website Dashboard\" title=\"WordPress Multisite Setup &amp; Installation Guide - Website Dashboard\" width=\"583\" height=\"298\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>From the site\u2019s dashboard, go to <strong>Users <\/strong>\u2192 <strong>Add New User<\/strong>. You\u2019ll see a form where you can add a new user by entering their username and email address. You can also set the user\u2019s role (Subscriber, Contributor, Author, Editor, or Administrator) based on the level of access you want to give them on that specific site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you wish, you can skip the confirmation email checkbox. Once you input the required details, click the <strong>Add New User<\/strong> button.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-block-image size-full\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/images\/kb\/tutorials\/Tut-OS-040-20.png\" alt=\"WordPress Multisite Setup &amp; Installation Guide - Add Brand New User\" title=\"WordPress Multisite Setup &amp; Installation Guide - Add Brand New User\" width=\"583\" height=\"298\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>However, if you want to add an existing user, you need to provide the following details:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-block-image size-full\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/images\/kb\/tutorials\/Tut-OS-040-21.png\" alt=\"WordPress Multisite Setup &amp; Installation Guide - Add Existing User\" title=\"WordPress Multisite Setup &amp; Installation Guide - Add Existing User\" width=\"735\" height=\"235\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>By following these steps, you can effectively manage users within your WordPress Multisite setup, giving them the appropriate roles and access to the sites they need while maintaining control over the network as a Super Admin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Important: <\/strong>If you want to give a user access to multiple sites in the network, you\u2019ll need to repeat this process for each site. Alternatively, as a Super Admin, you can go to <strong>Network Admin<\/strong> \u2192 <strong>Users <\/strong>and assign the user to different sites from one central location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading h3\" id=\"multisite-maintenance-best-practices\">Multisite Maintenance &amp; Best Practices<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When running a WordPress Multisite setup, updating everything is important to ensure security and performance. The great thing about Multisite is that you can manage updates for WordPress, themes, and plugins across all your websites from a single dashboard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As network admin, you can update WordPress core software, plugins, and themes at the same time. This saves you time compared to updating each site individually. With Multisite, you only need to apply updates once, and they will automatically take effect across the entire network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This makes it easier to keep all your sites secure and running smoothly, reducing the risk of compatibility issues and security vulnerabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Furthermore, since all sites in the network share the same database and files, you need to ensure your backups include all the shared data. Use a reliable backup plugin that supports WordPress Multisite setup, like <a href=\"https:\/\/updraftplus.com\/\" alt=\"Link to UpdraftPlus - WordPress Backup Plugin\" title=\"UpdraftPlus - WordPress Backup Plugin\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">UpdraftPlus<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.premiumwp.com\/plugin\/backupbuddy-wordpress-backup-plugin\/\" alt=\"Link to PremiumWP - BackupBuddy - WordPress Backup Plugin\" title=\"PremiumWP - BackupBuddy - WordPress Backup Plugin\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">BackupBuddy<\/a>; this can help ensure you don\u2019t lose any important data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Moreover, you can install security plugins on the network level to protect all sites. You can manage firewall settings, malware scans, and login security from a single dashboard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You also need to perform regular site audits and check for unusual activity. Keep a close eye on your site\u2019s traffic volume, storage space, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wordpress-error-logs\/\" alt=\"Link to Hosted.com Tutorials - How To Configure WordPress Error Logs - Identify and Fix Issues\" title=\"Hosted.com - How To Configure WordPress Error Logs - Identify and Fix Issues\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">error logs<\/a> to catch issues early. Also, use a strong password and enable <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wordpress-two-factor-authentication\/\" alt=\"Link to Hosted.com Articles - Keep Safe - Implementing WordPress Two Factor Authentication\" title=\"Hosted.com - Keep Safe - Implementing WordPress Two Factor Authentication\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">two-factor authentication<\/a> to enhance security across your network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Follow these best practices to ensure your WordPress Multisite setup runs efficiently, remains secure, and is easier to manage over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading h3\" id=\"troubleshoot-common-multisite-issues\">Troubleshoot Common Multisite Issues<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Handle Subdomain or Subdirectory Issues:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For subdomains, ensure wildcards are set up correctly in your hosting. If you experience subdirectory issues, check the <strong>.htaccess<\/strong> file for correct rules to avoid loading issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Issues with Domain Mapping: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Domain mapping can sometimes cause problems when you assign custom domains to sites. So, double-check your DNS settings and ensure wildcard subdomains are configured properly for subdomain setups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Fix Plugin &amp; Theme Compatibility Problems: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some plugins or themes may not work well with a WordPress Multisite setup. Ensure you use Multisite-compatible plugins and test new ones on a small site before activating them network-wide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/hosting\/wordpress\" alt=\"Link to Hosted\u00ae - WordPress Hosting\" title=\"Hosted\u00ae - WordPress Hosting\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/wordpress-multisite-setup-4-1024x229.png\" alt=\"Strip Banner Text - For advanced WordPress hosting and expert support, choose Hosted\u00ae. [Get started]\" title=\"Hosted\u00ae for Stable and Secure WordPress Hosting and Expert Support\" class=\"wp-image-6883\" width=\"1024\" height=\"229\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/wordpress-multisite-setup-4-1024x229.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/wordpress-multisite-setup-4-300x67.png 300w, https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/wordpress-multisite-setup-4-768x172.png 768w, https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/wordpress-multisite-setup-4-1536x343.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/wordpress-multisite-setup-4-2048x458.png 2048w, https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/wordpress-multisite-setup-4-960x214.png 960w, https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/wordpress-multisite-setup-4-1052x235.png 1052w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading h4\" id=\"fa-qs\">FAQs<\/h3>\n\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<div class=\"rank-math-list \">\n<div id=\"faq-question-1728456471042\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h6 class=\"rank-math-question \">What is a WordPress Multisite setup?\u00a0<\/h6>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>WordPress Multisite allows you to create and manage multiple websites from one WordPress dashboard.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1728456473616\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h6 class=\"rank-math-question \">Can I add existing websites to a Multisite network?\u00a0<\/h6>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Yes, you can add existing sites, but configure them manually.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1728456474574\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h6 class=\"rank-math-question \">Is Multisite suitable for small blogs?<\/h6>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Multisite is more beneficial for managing several sites. For small blogs, a single site might be easier.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1728456475542\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h6 class=\"rank-math-question \">What are subdomains and subdirectories in Multisite?\u00a0<\/h6>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Subdomains create URLs like <em>mysite1.yourdomain.com<\/em>, while subdirectories create URLs like <em>yourdomain.com\/mysite1<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1728456476362\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h6 class=\"rank-math-question \">Can I use different themes for each site in Multisite?\u00a0<\/h6>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Yes, but the Super Admin must enable themes before individual sites can use them.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1728456504524\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h6 class=\"rank-math-question \">How do I manage users in Multisite?\u00a0<\/h6>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>The Super Admin manages users throughout the network, while Site Admins manage users on individual sites.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1728456505439\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h6 class=\"rank-math-question \">Do all sites share the same plugins?\u00a0<\/h6>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Yes, but you can choose which plugins to activate for specific sites.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1728456510818\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h6 class=\"rank-math-question \">Can I switch from single-site WordPress to Multisite?\u00a0<\/h6>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Yes. You can convert an existing WordPress site to Multisite by enabling the network feature.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1728456532598\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h6 class=\"rank-math-question \">Is WordPress Multisite setup slower than a single site?\u00a0<\/h6>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Multisite can use more resources, so good hosting is essential for great performance.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1728456533467\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h6 class=\"rank-math-question \">What happens if one site in the network crashes?\u00a0<\/h6>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>If one site crashes, it could impact the whole network, so regular backups and good hosting are important.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading h4\" id=\"other-related-tutorials-blogs\">Other Related Tutorials &amp; Blogs:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wordpress-error-logs\/\" alt=\"Link to Hosted.com Tutorials - How To Configure WordPress Error Logs - Identify and Fix Issues\" title=\"Hosted.com - How To Configure WordPress Error Logs - Identify and Fix Issues\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">How To Configure WordPress Error Logs: Identify &amp; Fix Issues<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/502-bad-gateway\/\" alt=\"Link to Hosted.com Tutorials - How to Fix 502 Bad Gateway Error in WordPress\" title=\"Hosted.com - How to Fix 502 Bad Gateway Error in WordPress\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">How to Fix 502 Bad Gateway Error in WordPress<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/create-a-wordpress-landing-page\/\" alt=\"Link to Hosted.com Tutorials - How to Create a WordPress Landing Page - A Step-by-Step Guide\" title=\"Hosted.com - How to Create a WordPress Landing Page - A Step-by-Step Guide\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">How to Create a WordPress Landing Page: A Step-by-Step Guide<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/backup-wordpress-site\/\" alt=\"Link to Hosted.com Tutorials - How to Backup Your WordPress Site - A Comprehensive Guide\" title=\"Hosted.com - How to Backup Your WordPress Site - A Comprehensive Guide\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">How to Backup Your WordPress Site: A Comprehensive Guide<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/change-fonts-in-wordpress\/\" alt=\"Link to Hosted.com Tutorials - How to Change Fonts in WordPress - 6 Easy Ways\" title=\"Hosted.com - How to Change Fonts in WordPress - 6 Easy Ways\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">How to Change Fonts in WordPress: 6 Easy Ways<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p> WordPress is a powerful tool, and one of its standout features is WordPress Multisite. But what exactly is it? WordPress Multisite setup allows you to create and manage multiple websites, all from a single WordPress dashboard. Imagine running a network of websites\u2014each with its unique content, but you can control everything from one place. For example, a primary website with the domain name for example ITUniversity.com can have subdomains such as; CSDepartment.ITUniversity.com and MathsDepart&#8230; <a alt='WordPress Multisite Setup &amp; Installation Guide' title='WordPress Multisite Setup &amp; Installation Guide' href='https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wordpress-multisite-setup\/' class='read-more'>Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":6871,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,8,213],"tags":[235],"class_list":["post-6867","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tutorials","category-website-development","category-wordpress-coding","tag-wordpress-multisite-setup"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6867","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6867"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6867\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12401,"href":"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6867\/revisions\/12401"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6871"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6867"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6867"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hosted.com\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6867"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}