Ever wondered how large organizations, schools, or businesses manage multiple WordPress sites under one roof? Setting up a main site with several sub sites can streamline updates, branding, and user management—all from a single dashboard.
Understanding how to create a WordPress website with sub sites is crucial if you want scalability and control without juggling countless logins.
This article will walk you through the process step-by-step, share best practices, and offer tips to ensure your multisite network runs smoothly.
Related Video
Understanding How to Create a WordPress Website With Sub Sites
If you want to run multiple websites from one WordPress installation, having sub sites is a game-changer. This is made possible by WordPress Multisite—a powerful feature that lets you create a network of subsites under a single WordPress install. Whether you manage divisions within a company, departments in a university, or various blogs under one brand, Multisite allows you to streamline your web management efficiently.
Let’s break down what WordPress Multisite is, how you can set it up (especially with subdirectories or subdomains), the benefits and challenges, plus some practical tips to get you off on the right foot. If you’re keen on managing several sites all in one go, this guide is for you.
What Is WordPress Multisite?
WordPress Multisite is an advanced feature of WordPress that allows you to run a network of sites from one WordPress install. Each sub-site in your network can have its own content, themes, plugins, and even administrators, while you (the network owner) oversee everything centrally.
You can structure sub-sites in two main ways:
– Subdomains (e.g., subsite.yourdomain.com)
– Subdirectories (e.g., yourdomain.com/subsite)
Both options keep things tidy and manageable, but the most common method—especially for ease of setup and lower hosting requirements—is using subdirectories.
How Does a WordPress Website With Sub Sites Work?
With Multisite enabled, you essentially have a “parent” website (the main site) and any number of “child” subsites within your network. Each sub-site can act like a standalone WordPress website, complete with its own content, look, and users.
Here’s an example hierarchy:
– Main Site: yourdomain.com
– Sub Site 1: yourdomain.com/marketing
– Sub Site 2: yourdomain.com/sales
– Sub Site 3: yourdomain.com/support
This is ideal for projects where you have different departments, communities, or brands operating under one umbrella.
When Should You Use Multisite?
While Multisite is powerful, it isn’t always the right choice for every project. Consider Multisite if:
– You manage multiple related websites that should share plugins, themes, or user logins.
– You want centralized control but allow unique admin experiences for subsites.
– You want to save time and server resources by avoiding separate WordPress installs.
If your sites are entirely unrelated or need significant customization at the code level, multiple separate WordPress installations might be better.
Step-by-Step: How to Set Up a WordPress Multisite Network With Sub Sites
Setting up a Multisite network may sound intimidating, but it’s manageable with the right steps. You’ll need administrative access to your hosting environment and a fresh (or existing) WordPress installation.
1. Prepare for Multisite
Before making any big changes:
– Backup your website completely (files and database).
– Deactivate all plugins—these can be reactivated after setup.
2. Enable Multisite in WordPress
You’ll add a line of code to your WordPress configuration file (wp-config.php):
- Open
wp-config.php(found in your WordPress root directory). - Find the line:
/* That's all, stop editing! Happy publishing. */ - Add this above it:
php
define('WP_ALLOW_MULTISITE', true); - Save and re-upload the file.
3. Set Up the Network
- Log into your WordPress Dashboard.
- Go to Tools > Network Setup.
- Choose either subdomains or subdirectories for your network structure.
- Note: If your WordPress install is older than a month, you may only see the subdomain option. Subdirectories work best for new installs.
- Fill in the network details (site title, admin email).
- Click Install.
4. Add Code Snippets
WordPress will show you two code snippets—one for wp-config.php, the other for .htaccess. Copy and paste them into the respective files, replacing any existing .htaccess WordPress rules. Save both files.
5. Log In Again
You’ll be prompted to log in again. You’ll now notice a new “My Sites” menu in your WordPress bar. This is your Multisite superpower!
6. Add Sub Sites
From the WordPress Dashboard:
1. Go to My Sites > Network Admin > Sites.
2. Click Add New.
3. Enter the sub-site address (slug for the subdirectory).
4. Give it a title and admin email.
5. Click Add Site.
Repeat this process for each new sub-site you want.
Key Benefits of Using WordPress Multisite With Sub Sites
There’s a lot to love about Multisite, including:
- Centralized Updates: Update WordPress, plugins, and themes once across all subsites.
- Shared Resources: Global access to themes and plugins, with the option to activate per subsite.
- User Management: One set of user accounts—perfect for organizations with shared teams.
- Lower Server Footprint: Less overhead than running multiple standalone sites.
- Easy New Site Creation: Launch new sub-sites in seconds—no need to install WordPress repeatedly.
- Consistent Branding: Maintain a unified look while allowing flexibility in content and functionality per subsite.
Challenges and Things to Watch Out For
No solution is perfect. Here are potential Multisite pitfalls and how to address them:
- Complex Plugin Compatibility: Not all plugins play nicely with Multisite. Test carefully before rolling out across your network.
- Hosting Requirements: Some shared hosting plans don’t support Multisite or impose restrictions, especially on subdomains.
- Site Independence: Sub-sites aren’t entirely separate; some plugin or theme settings can affect all sites. Consider this for clients requiring 100% independence.
- Migration Difficulty: Moving individual sub-sites to or from a Multisite network can be complex compared to standalone WordPress sites.
- SSL Certificates: Setting up SSL across multiple subdomains requires a multi-domain or wildcard certificate.
Practical Tips and Best Practices
To get the most from your WordPress Multisite:
- Use Strong Hosting: Pick a hosting provider experienced with Multisite and capable of handling network-level traffic and security.
- Plan Your Structure Early: Decide up front if you want subdirectories or subdomains—you can’t easily switch after setup.
- Audit Your Plugins: Only network-activate plugins you really need everywhere. Let subsites decide on others.
- Theme Management: Share a parent theme, but allow child themes for subsites needing their own style tweaks.
- Regular Backups: Schedule automatic, network-wide backups, so every sub-site is protected.
- Train Your Admins: Sub-site admins need to know what they can (and can’t) control within the network.
Security Tips
- Limit Super Admin Access: Only the most trusted users should have super admin access, as they have control over the whole network.
- Monitor Site Creation: Set rules for who can create new subsites to prevent spam or abuse.
- Use Network-Level Security Plugins: Choose plugins designed for Multisite to manage security, spam, backups, and performance.
Cost Considerations
While WordPress Multisite itself is free, look out for potential expenses:
– Hosting: Multisite uses more resources as your network grows. Choose plans with padding for higher traffic and storage.
– SSL Certificates: Wildcard SSLs cover many subdomains and can be more expensive than basic SSL.
– Premium Plugins or Themes: Some may require a Multisite license, which can be pricier than single-site versions.
– Professional Help: Migrating to or setting up a Multisite network can require developer support, especially for custom needs.
Tip: If you’re keeping costs low, start with subdirectories (which are easier to set up and secure), use open-source or Multisite-compatible plugins/themes, and scale your hosting as you grow.
Use Cases Where Multisite Excels
- Schools and Universities: Create subsites for every department or classroom.
- Companies: Intranet, HR, Marketing—all in one place.
- Blog Networks: Host multiple niche blogs under one brand umbrella.
- Agencies: Quickly set up new sites for each client based on a master template.
- Communities: Give every group or member their own site but maintain central control.
Conclusion
WordPress Multisite is a robust tool for anyone looking to manage several related websites from one dashboard. With the right preparation, best practices, and an understanding of its strengths and weaknesses, you’ll save hours on site management, streamline updates, and offer a consistent experience across your web presence.
Whether you need subdirectories (yourdomain.com/subsite) or subdomains (subsite.yourdomain.com), the process is straightforward. Just remember to plan, prepare, and choose quality hosting to ensure your Multisite journey is smooth.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the difference between subdomains and subdirectories in Multisite?
Subdomains create subsites under a “name.yourdomain.com” structure, while subdirectories use “yourdomain.com/name.” Subdirectories are easier to set up, require less DNS configuration, and are ideal for most beginners and smaller networks.
Can I turn an existing WordPress site into a Multisite network?
Yes! You can convert any WordPress installation into a Multisite. Just remember that existing content determines whether you can use subdirectories or only subdomains for your subsites.
Do I need special hosting for WordPress Multisite?
Ideally, yes. While many shared hosts support basic Multisite, larger, busier, or more resource-intensive networks benefit from premium or dedicated WordPress hosting with Multisite expertise.
Can each sub-site have its own theme and plugins?
Yes! Each sub-site can activate its own theme from the network’s available pool and select which plugins to use (unless plugins are “network-activated” by the super admin).
Is it possible to give admin access to only one sub-site?
Absolutely. You can assign users as administrators for individual subsites, giving them control over their subsite without access to the entire network or other subsites.
With these insights, you’re well-equipped to embark on your WordPress Multisite adventure—happy site building!