WordPress Multisite: When to Use It and How to Set It Up

WordPress Multisite lets you run multiple websites from a single WordPress installation.

Instead of maintaining 3 separate WordPress installs (3 codebases, 3 updates, 3 backups), you have 1 installation powering 3 sites. Updates and security patches apply everywhere at once.

But Multisite is complex, and it's overkill for most use cases. Most bloggers think they need Multisite when they don't.

This guide covers when Multisite makes sense, when it doesn't, and how to set it up if you need it.

Do You Actually Need Multisite?

You need Multisite if:

• Running 5+ related sites (network of blogs, course platform with multiple instructors)
• Want centralized user management (students access multiple courses)
• Need consistent branding across sites
• Managing on behalf of clients (agency managing 20+ sites)
• Want shared plugin/theme library

You probably DON'T need Multisite if:

• Running 1-2 sites (just use separate installs)
• Sites are unrelated (different purposes, audiences)
• Want different plugins on different sites
• Different teams managing different sites
• Sites don't share much data

The rule: If you can't articulate why you need Multisite, you don't need it.

Multisite adds complexity. Single WordPress installs are simpler to manage, backup, and troubleshoot.

Multisite vs. Separate Installations

Let's compare:

| Aspect | Multisite | Separate Installs | |--------|-----------|-------------------| | Update frequency | Once (all sites) | Per site | | Backup complexity | One backup for all | One per site | | Plugin conflicts | Higher risk | None | | Costs | Same hosting | Same hosting | | Learning curve | Steep | Easy | | Customization per site | Limited | Full | | Team management | Centralized | Independent | | Scalability | Good | Good |

General wisdom: Unless you have 5+ sites or strong team management reasons, separate installs are simpler.

Multisite Architecture

How It Works

Single WordPress installation with multiple databases/tables:

• 1 WordPress core install
• 1 wp_users table (users across network)
• Multiple sets of wp_posts, wp_comments, etc. (one per site)
• Network administration dashboard

Subdomain vs. Subdirectory

Two ways to structure Multisite:

Subdomain structure (recommended):

• site1.example.com
• site2.example.com
• site3.example.com
• Pros: Separate domains in browser; easier migrations
• Cons: Wildcard DNS setup required

Subdirectory structure:

• example.com/site1
• example.com/site2
• example.com/site3
• Pros: Single domain; simpler DNS
• Cons: Can't migrate individual sites easily

Note: You cannot change this after setup without database edits.

Multisite Setup

Prerequisites

• SSH/terminal access (needed for setup)
• Root/admin hosting access
• Comfortable with database basics
• Backup before starting

Step-by-Step Setup

Step 1: Backup WordPress

# Backup wp-config.php, uploads folder, database

Step 2: Set up wildcard DNS (for subdomains)

• Contact your host
• Ask for wildcard DNS: *.example.com → your.ip.address
• Wait for propagation (up to 24 hours)

Step 3: Enable Multisite in wp-config.php

Add before "That's all, stop editing!" line:

define('WP_ALLOW_MULTISITE', true);

Step 4: Access network setup

1. WordPress Dashboard → Tools → Network Setup
2. Choose: Subdomain or Subdirectory
3. Follow the prompts
4. WordPress provides code to add to wp-config.php and .htaccess

Step 5: Copy provided code

WordPress shows you code to add:

• In wp-config.php (before final "stop editing" line)
• In .htaccess (replace entire file)

Step 6: Access network dashboard

1. Go to yoursite.com/wp-admin/network/
2. Login with primary admin account
3. Network admin dashboard appears

Step 7: Create new sites

1. Network Admin → Sites → Add New
2. Domain: subdomain or path name
3. Title and admin email
4. Create

Step 8: Manage sites Each site has its own admin dashboard. Network admin can see all.

Managing Multisite Network

Network Admin Dashboard

Available from: yoursite.com/wp-admin/network/

Main sections:

• Sites: List, add, manage all sites
• Users: Manage users across network
• Themes: Activate/disable themes for entire network
• Plugins: Activate/disable plugins for entire network
• Settings: Network-wide settings

User Roles in Multisite

Super Admin: Can manage entire network (use sparingly) Network Admin: Can manage specific sites Site Admin: Can only manage their own site Editor: Can edit content on assigned site Contributor: Can create/edit own posts only

Best practice: Don't make everyone Super Admin.

Plugin Management

Network Activate: Available on all sites (can't disable per-site) Regular Activate: Available on each site individually

Strategy:

• Network Activate critical plugins (security, backup, caching)
• Regular Activate flexible plugins (site-specific)

Theme Management

Site Admin: Can choose from available themes Super Admin: Controls which themes are available

Strategy:

• Activate 1-2 main themes network-wide
• Let site admins choose which one
• Prevents theme conflicts

Multisite Advantages

1. Centralized management: Update once, affects all sites
2. Shared plugins: One copy runs on all sites (lower overhead)
3. User convenience: One login for multiple sites
4. Client management: Agencies can offer site management
5. Network effects: Cross-site functionality possible
6. Backup simplicity: Backup once for entire network

Multisite Disadvantages

1. Complexity: Harder to set up and troubleshoot
2. Plugin conflicts: One bad plugin affects all sites
3. Migration difficulty: Moving single site requires special care
4. Customization limits: All sites share core code
5. Performance: Shared resources could cause bottlenecks
6. Learning curve: More things can go wrong
7. Hosting requirements: Some hosts don't support well

When Multisite Goes Wrong

Common Issues and Fixes

Issue: "One of the network sites is down"

• Fix: Single sites can't be updated independently; requires database intervention

Issue: "Plugin broken on one site breaks all sites"

• Fix: Network plugins affect entire network; use per-site plugins for flexibility

Issue: "Migrating one site is complex"

• Fix: Multisite sites aren't portable; would need export/import

Issue: "Performance degraded"

• Fix: Resource sharing; one resource-heavy site affects others

Issue: "User access control is complex"

• Fix: Requires careful role management

Multisite Alternatives

Instead of Multisite, consider:

1. Separate WordPress installations

   • Full independence
   • Easier maintenance
   • Most hosting supports unlimited installs

2. WordPress.com business plan

   • Managed WordPress multisite
   • No setup complexity
   • Higher cost

3. White-label solution

   • For agencies
   • Client manages own site
   • You provide updates/security

4. Single WordPress with custom post types

   • Create multiple "sites" as posts
   • All in one installation
   • Custom code required

Real Multisite Use Cases

Use case 1: Course platform

• Main site: Marketing/info
• Student courses: Subdomains
• Shared users: Students log in once, access all
• Perfect for Multisite

Use case 2: Agency with client sites

• 20 client blogs
• Centralized updates/backups
• Agencies commonly use Multisite
• Makes sense here

Use case 3: Blog network

• 10 related blogs (similar topic, different focus)
• Shared design/branding
• Centralized management
• Good use of Multisite

Not a good use case: Personal blog + e-commerce shop

• Different purposes
• Different plugins needed
• Separate installs make more sense

Multisite Maintenance

Regular Tasks

• Weekly: Check all sites for functionality
• Monthly: Review user access across network
• Monthly: Monitor storage usage
• Quarterly: Clean database across all sites
• Quarterly: Review plugins for conflicts

Backup Strategy

Backup entire network (not per-site):

• Database (all tables)
• wp-content folder (all uploads)
• wp-config.php
• .htaccess

Tools:

• UpdraftPlus: Multisite backups to cloud
• BackWPup: Multisite backup scheduling
• Host backup tools: Usually include multisite

Security

Network-wide security:

• Keep WordPress core updated (applies to all)
• Activate security plugins network-wide
• Monitor network admin logs
• Regular backups

Per-site security:

• Individual site admins secure their content
• Can't fully isolate (single install vulnerability affects all)

Multisite Decision Checklist

Before committing to Multisite:

• [ ] Do I really need multiple related sites?
• [ ] Is centralized management worth the complexity?
• [ ] Will my host support Multisite properly?
• [ ] Can I backup and restore entire network?
• [ ] Do I understand network admin dashboard?
• [ ] Have I tested on staging first?
• [ ] Do I have team to help manage?
• [ ] Have I considered separate installs as alternative?

If you checked all "yes" boxes, Multisite might be right.

If you're unsure or mostly "no" answers, separate installations are simpler.

My Recommendation

Start simple: Use separate WordPress installations.

If you later need Multisite:

• You'll know it
• You can migrate then (though it's work)
• You'll understand the complexity

Most bloggers overestimate how much they need Multisite. Single installations are easier to manage, backup, and troubleshoot.

Use Multisite when you have a specific reason (shared users, centralized management, economies of scale). Don't use it "just in case."

Complexity should be justified, not theoretical.