We have successfully established WordPress multisite networks with different domains numerous times, whether for our own initiatives or to assist clients in effectively managing multiple websites.
Managing several WordPress sites individually can quickly become complex, from dealing with hosting limitations to juggling multiple dashboards. This is why we frequently suggest utilizing WordPress multisite with custom domains.
This robust feature enables you to oversee multiple websites from a single WordPress installation, while still allowing each site to maintain its own distinct domain name.
In this comprehensive guide, we will provide you with a step-by-step process to set up a WordPress multisite with different domains.
Why Should You Create a WordPress Multisite with Custom Domains?
The simplest way to build a website is by using WordPress.
However, for each individual website you create, you must manage updates, backups, and security for each separate WordPress installation. Additionally, some hosting providers restrict their basic plans to a single WordPress installation.
A more efficient solution to this website management challenge is to establish a WordPress multisite network.
What Exactly is WordPress Multisite?
WordPress multisite is a fundamental feature of WordPress that allows you to effortlessly create multiple sites using a single WordPress installation.
The great advantage is that you can assign unique domains to each of your websites.
This feature enables business owners to swiftly launch websites without the hassle of managing multiple WordPress installations.
From a development standpoint, this setup offers flexibility in sharing customers, design elements, and more.
However, the drawback is that all your websites share the same resources. If your hosting service experiences downtime, all your websites will be affected simultaneously.
What Do You Need to Set Up a WordPress Multisite with Custom Domains?
To create a WordPress multisite with custom domain names, you will need the following items.
- A WordPress hosting provider that supports multiple domains and WordPress multisite functionality.
- The domain names you wish to use.
We recommend SiteGround, one of the leading hosting providers that offers built-in support for WordPress multisite domain mapping.
This can also be done on the Starter plan since, in essence, you are creating a single site. This is a clever way to navigate hosting plan limitations, provided your sites have low traffic.
For additional hosting recommendations, check out our comparison of the top WordPress hosting providers.
First, register the domain names for both your main site and any child sites you plan to create.
We highly recommend Network Solutions for domain registration. They offer an excellent domain search tool, a user-friendly control panel, and straightforward DNS management.
Bonus:Use our Network Solutions coupon along with the promo code NAMEBOY at checkout to receive up to 67% off your new domain purchases.
Step 1: Installing WordPress Multisite
If you’re starting a WordPress multisite on a new website, you will need to install WordPress first.
Most WordPress hosting providers, such as SiteGround, offer a one-click WordPress installer. If you need assistance, please refer to our WordPress installation tutorial for detailed guidance.
After installing WordPress, the next step is to activate the multisite feature.
Activating the WordPress Multisite Feature
The multisite feature is included with WordPress but is disabled by default. You must enable it to set up your WordPress multisite.
To begin, you will need to modify the wp-config.php file, which is the essential configuration file containing all the critical settings for your WordPress site.
You can access this file using an FTP client or through the File Manager tool in your hosting account’s control panel. The wp-config.php file is found in the root directory of your website.
Within this file, you should insert the following line just above the line that reads, ‘That’s all, stop editing! Happy publishing.’
define( 'WP_ALLOW_MULTISITE', true );
After making the changes, be sure to save the file and upload it back to your website.
Next, return to your WordPress admin dashboard and refresh the admin dashboard page.
Then, navigate to the Tools » Network Setup section to set up your WordPress multisite network.
Initially, select subdomains for the ‘Addresses of Sites in your Network’ and enter a title for your multisite network along with the network admin email address.
Click the ‘Install’ button to proceed.
On the following screen, WordPress will prompt you to add two snippets of code.
Insert the first code snippet into your wp-config.php file, just above the line that says, ‘That’s all, stop editing! Happy publishing.’
In addition to the code provided by WordPress, you must include the following line in your wp-config.php file. This line allows users to log in to each individual site.
define('COOKIE_DOMAIN', $_SERVER['HTTP_HOST'] );
The second code snippet should be added to your WordPress .htaccess file, replacing the default rules set by WordPress.
After adding both code snippets to the appropriate files, log in to your WordPress admin dashboard.
Once logged in, you will notice a new menu item in the admin bar labeled ‘My Sites’. Hover over it and select the Network Admin » Dashboard link.
Step 2: Creating New Sites with Custom Domains in WordPress Multisite
Now that your setup is complete, let’s create your first site using a different domain name.
From the network admin dashboard of your multisite, click on the Sites » Add New page.
Start by entering a Site Address and a title, selecting your preferred language, and providing the admin email address for your business. For the site address, feel free to use a placeholder for now, as we will update it to your custom domain in the next step.
To create your site, simply click on the ‘Add Site’ button.
Next, navigate to the Sites » All Sites page and select the ‘Edit’ link beneath the site you just created.
In the site edit screen, enter the custom domain name you wish to use for this website in the Site Address field.
WordPress includes a built-in domain mapping feature that will automatically link your custom domains to your Site Address.
Remember to click the ‘Save Changes’ button to apply your settings.
Repeat this process to add additional sites, and update their site addresses to the custom domains you want to use. In this example, we have created several sites with different custom domains.
However, these websites will not be accessible yet, as your custom domains are not currently pointing to your WordPress hosting provider. Let’s fix that.
Step 3: Linking Custom Domains to Your Hosting Account
Most WordPress hosting providers make it easy to add multiple domains to your hosting account.
For SiteGround users, navigate to the ‘Site Tools’ section in your hosting account.
Next, go to Domains » Parked Domains and add your custom domain in this area.
If you have additional custom domains to add, repeat this step.
For users of other hosting services, the procedure remains similar. Look for the parked domain option in the Domains section of your hosting dashboard.
If your hosting provider also serves as your domain registrar, you might not need to change the DNS servers.
However, if your domain is registered with a different provider, you will need to update the DNS settings to point to your hosting account.
First, obtain the DNS information from your hosting provider. This can typically be found in your hosting control panel or by contacting their support team. It usually appears as follows:
ns1.siteground204.comns2.siteground204.com
Once you have the DNS details, log in to your domain registrar’s website. Most registrars have a ‘DNS & Nameservers’ section where you can make these updates.
For Network Solutions users, the process is slightly different. Navigate to ‘Domains’ and select your domain name.
Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the ‘Advanced Tools’ section to access your DNS settings.
Next, click on the ‘Manage’ link.
Then, update the name server information with your hosting provider’s DNS and click ‘Save.’
For further instructions, refer to our guide on changing DNS name servers for popular domain registrars.
Important:Please note that DNS information may take between 2 to 48 hours to fully propagate across the internet.
Once the DNS updates are complete, you will be able to access your WordPress multisite’s child site for each domain.
Step 4: Manage and Access WordPress Multisite on Custom Domains
You can handle most administrative tasks, such as installing plugins, themes, and updates, directly from your root site’s dashboard.
Related:Check out our selection of the best WordPress multisite plugins.
To manage individual sites, navigate to the Sites » All Sites page and click on the ‘Dashboard’ link for the site you want to manage.
This will direct you to that specific site’s admin area, where you may need to log in again.
From this area, you can create pages, write blog posts, and manage that specific site.
We trust this guide has equipped you with the knowledge to set up a WordPress multisite with multiple domains. Additionally, check out our comprehensive WordPress security guide to ensure your multisite remains secure, and explore our selection of top WordPress page builder plugins to enhance your website’s design.
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