PanelDOCSv1.0.0

Run a network of WordPress sites

Install WordPress as a network (multisite) with subdomain sites, set up the wildcard DNS record and certificate, and add sites — one on a domain of its own.

This tutorial sets up one WordPress that runs several sites — example.com, shop.example.com and another-shop.com — sharing one set of plugins, themes and updates. It takes about 20 minutes plus the time DNS needs.

You need:

  • a hosting account and its Control Panel login
  • the domain example.com added to the account, with its DNS on the server (see Host your first WordPress site, steps 1 and 2)

Note: with the domain's DNS elsewhere, choose Subdirectories in step 1 (example.com/shop/), or add the records step 2 names at your DNS provider yourself.

1. Install WordPress as a network

  1. Open Control Panel › Websites › Apps and choose WordPress.
  2. Choose example.com, leave Folder empty.
  3. Under Network of sites (multisite), choose Subdomains.
  4. Fill in the admin login and click Install WordPress.

WordPress is installed as a network. The web server now answers every name under example.com, and the DNS record *.example.com is added to the zone. See App installer.

Tip: an existing site can become a network too: Websites › WordPress › Make it a network. It is backed up first.

2. Get the wildcard certificate

  1. Open Websites › WordPress and choose the site.
  2. On the Network of sites (multisite) card, click Get the wildcard certificate.

Let's Encrypt checks it through the domain's DNS, so the domain must already use the server's nameservers. The card then shows ✔ Wildcard name *.example.com. See SSL/TLS.

3. Add a subdomain site

  1. Click Add a site.
  2. Enter shop, a Site title, and click Add site.

The site is live at https://shop.example.com straight away: the wildcard record and certificate already cover it.

4. Add a site on a domain of its own

  1. Point another-shop.com at the server (see Point a domain bought elsewhere).
  2. Click Add a site and enter another-shop.com.
  3. Keep Add another-shop.com to this account as a parked domain ticked and click Add site.

The domain is added as a parked domain of example.com, so the web server answers it, and AutoSSL gives it a free certificate within a few minutes of its DNS pointing here.

5. Plugins, themes and updates

  • In the Updates card, click Activate on every site on a plugin every site should run.
  • On the network card, click Offer to every site on each theme the sites may use.
  • Updates, the security checks and the switches on the WordPress screen work on the whole network; turn on safe automatic updates once for all the sites.