WordPress Multisite is a feature which allows users to create a “Network” of subsites within a single install of WordPress. This allows you to use subdomains (or subdirectories) of the same root domain (site1.domain.com as a subsite of domain.com for example), within the same Network. With the help of native WordPress Domain Mapping, administrators can also map custom domains to each of their subsites.
With the use of a Multisite, you’ll also have a new level of user available: the Super Admin. The Super Admin has access to the primary site as well as all subsites, and the Network Admin area of the site where all sites are managed. Individual subsites can have their own subsets of users, plugins, and themes enabled specifically for them. However, since all the subsites are within the same WordPress environment, each site shares the same database with its own subset of tables. Multisites do use the same set of plugins and themes within the wp-content folder, each with their own option to “Network Enable.”
HOW CAN I ENABLE WORDPRESS MULTISITE?
WordPress Multisite is not a plugin, but is a feature which can be enabled for sites. To easily enable WordPress Multisite, just head to your User Portal and choose your Install > Utilities > Enable Multisite. Our system will automatically convert your single site into a Multisite over the next few minutes. You can confirm it was successful by looking for the “My Sites” option when logging in to the WordPress Admin at the very top left-hand side.
Please note: Not all plans support WordPress Multisite. You can add Multisite as an add-on for your Startup, Growth, or Scale plan if desired.
WHY USE MULTISITE?
There are several reasons a site manager may want to use Multisite. Some of the benefits include:
- Since all sites within the Multisite network share the same WordPress core files, theme, and plugins, updating only has to happen once each time, rather than logging into several individual sites.
- Easy managing of subdomains of your root domain in one central dashboard
- Managing several sites which use the same theme and plugins becomes easier
WHY NOT USE MULTISITE?
There are also several reasons a site manager should choose to not use the Multisite configuration. Since managing a Multisite is by nature more complex, if you are unsure of whether you could or should use Multisite, usually it is best to avoid using Multisite until a clear need arises.
- If you manage multiple unrelated sites which do not use the same theme, plugins, or design scheme, Multisite may not be an ideal solution to manage all your sites.
- If you manage a single site
- If you are unsure of whether Multisite would be a good fit for your needs (when in doubt, stick with a single site)
- If each of your sites has a strong level of customization it is usually best to manage them separately
- If each of your sites use the same theme but with different custom functions added – since with Multisite each subsite shares the same themes and plugins, editing the theme would make changes for all sites using this theme.
- If you have not added the Multisite add-on to your Startup, Growth, or Scale plan.
- If you are on a Personal level plan, these plans do not support the use of Multisite