WordPress Multisite Hosting: How It Works & Step-by-Step Setup Guide (2025) 

Key highlights 

• Control multiple websites from a single WordPress installation, streamlining updates, security and user roles. 
• Create subsites using subdomains or subdirectories, with the option for custom domain mapping. 
• Shared core files and databases improve efficiency; while caching and lazy loading enhance speed. 
• Multisite-friendly hosting with scalability, security and expert support for smooth operations. 
• Super Admins manage the network, while site admins control individual sites with restricted access. 

Introduction 

 Managing multiple websites separately can be overwhelming. Updating themes, handling security and maintaining synchronization require time and effort.  Think about a restaurant chain with different sites for each location, a university managing department pages or an agency running multiple client websites. The big challenge? Keeping everything efficient and organized. 

 With WordPress Multisite Hosting, everything is managed from a single dashboard, ensuring seamless updates, security and user management Whether you’re scaling a business, running an educational platform or managing multiple brands, this setup saves time and streamlines operations. 

This guide covers how WordPress Multisite works, when to use it, how to set it up and key management tips. Plus, we’ll explore why Bluehost is ideal for Multisite hosting, providing the performance, security and scalability needed for a smooth network. 

What is WordPress multisite hosting? 

WordPress Multisite lets you manage multiple websites using a single WordPress installation. However, each site in the network can have its own unique settings, content and user roles. 

How does WordPress multisite hosting work? 

To understand how WordPress Multisite works, let’s break down its key elements. 

1. Administrator 

In WordPress Multisite, you’ll find the same user roles as a single-site setup, with one key addition—the super admin. 

As a super admin, you have full control over the entire network. You can add sites and users, manage themes and plugins and edit network-wide settings. Simply put, you oversee everything. 

On the other hand, admins manage individual subsites. They can handle content, users and settings for their specific site but don’t have access to network-wide features. This setup lets site managers work independently without affecting the rest of the network. 

2. Core files and database structure  

With WordPress Multisite, all sites in your network share the same core files and database, helping you optimize server resources. 

However, each site has its own database tables for posts, users and other data. This keeps everything separate, so changes on one site won’t affect others, making troubleshooting and backups easier. 

The same goes for media uploads each site gets its own wp-content/uploads directory, keeping your files organized and preventing media from different sites from getting mixed up.  

3. Subsites and domain mapping  

You can create subsites in a multisite network in two ways:  

• Subdomains – These function as standalone sites, making them ideal for unrelated entities within a network. For example: men.[myboutique].com and women.[myboutique].com.  
• Subdirectories – These are organized as folders under the main site’s URL, making them great for blogs, categories or sections of the same website. For example: [pawcare].com/services and [pawcare].com/contact.  

With domain mapping, you can assign custom domains to subsites. You can either use the same domain with subdomains and subdirectories or assign each subsite its own unique domain. 

Using the same domain simplifies management and improves domain authority, benefiting SEO. On the other hand, unique domains are better for branding each subsite independently.  

4. Theme and plugin installation  

Super admins have the ability to install or update themes and plugins across the network. They can also choose to network activate them, making the theme or plugin available on all subsites overriding site admins.  

However, since each subsite has its own database, any plugin or theme settings and customizations apply only to that specific site, not the entire network. 

How to set up WordPress multisite step-by-step guide 

WordPress Multisite allows you to run multiple websites from a single installation. It’s ideal for businesses, organizations or bloggers managing multiple sites. Follow these steps to enable and configure a WordPress Multisite network. 

1. Prepare your WordPress installation 

Before enabling Multisite, ensure the following: 

• Backup your site: Always create a full backup of your WordPress files and database. 
• Deactivate plugins: Temporarily disable all plugins to prevent conflicts. 
• Check hosting requirements: Ensure your hosting supports Multisite. A VPS, dedicated, or managed WordPress hosting plan is recommended. 
• Set pretty permalinks: Navigate to Settings > Permalinks and choose a non-default structure. 

2. Enable the multisite feature 

To activate Multisite, modify your wp-config.php file: 

1. Use FTP or your hosting file manager to access wp-config.php. 
2. Add this line above /* That’s all, stop editing! */: 

php 

define( ‘WP_ALLOW_MULTISITE’, true ); 

3. Save and upload the file back to your server. 

3. Install the network 

1. Log in to WordPress and go to Tools > Network Setup. 
2. Choose between subdomains (site1.example.com) or subdirectories (example.com/site1). Subdomains require additional DNS configuration. 
3. Enter a network title and admin email, then click Install. 

4. Configure server files 

After installation, WordPress provides code snippets to add to wp-config.php and .htaccess. 

• Update wp-config.php: Add the provided Multisite configuration lines. 
• Update .htaccess: Replace existing WordPress rules with the new ones. 

Save and upload these files. 

5. Access network admin 

1. Log out and back into your WordPress dashboard. 
2. Access Network Admin via My Sites > Network Admin. 

6. Configure network settings 

Navigate to Settings > Network Settings to: 

• Allow or restrict user and site registrations. 
• Set default site content (first post, page and comment). 
• Configure upload limits for each site. 
• Enable or disable the plugin administration menu for site admins. 

Click Save Changes to apply settings. 

7. Add new sites 

1. In Network Admin, go to Sites > Add New. 
2. Enter the site address, title, language and admin email. 
3. Click Add Site to create it. 

8. Manage themes and plugins 

• Themes: Install themes under Themes > Add New. Click Network Enable to make them available to all sites. 
• Plugins: Install plugins under Plugins > Add New and Network Activate them for all sites. 

Alternatively, enable the plugin menu for site admins in Network Settings. 

9. Optional: Domain mapping 

If you want each site to have a custom domain (e.g., site1.com), configure domain mapping via a plugin or your hosting provider’s settings. 

What are the best WordPress multisite hosting providers in 2025? 

Running a WordPress Multisite network requires reliable hosting that can handle multiple websites efficiently. Here are some of the top hosting providers in the U.S. that offer optimized solutions for WPMS. 

1. Bluehost 

At Bluehost, we make managing a WordPress Multisite network easy. Our hosting is optimized for performance, security and scalability—whether you’re running a few sites or a large network. With free SSL, daily backups, advanced security and dedicated Multisite support, we ensure your sites stay secure and high performing. Plus, our 24/7 expert support team is always available to help with setup, troubleshooting and optimization. 

Streamline your website management with Bluehost WordPress hosting. 

2. SiteGround 

SiteGround provides managed WordPress hosting with strong security features, built-in caching and automated updates. It’s a great option for those who prioritize speed and protection, offering daily backups and proactive monitoring to keep your sites running smoothly. 

3. Kinsta  

Kinsta is a cloud-based hosting provider powered by Google Cloud Platform, delivering high-performance WordPress Multisite hosting. It includes automatic scaling, enterprise-level security and a global CDN for fast loading speeds. While it’s a premium option, it’s ideal for businesses that need top-tier hosting with hands-on support. 

4. HostGator 

HostGator offers affordable and flexible hosting plans for WordPress Multisite users. It provides unmetered bandwidth, free site migrations and one-click WordPress installations. While it may not have the advanced performance optimizations of premium providers, it’s a solid option for small businesses and individuals looking for a cost-effective solution. 

What are the best practices for managing a WordPress multisite network? 

You can follow a few practices to manage your WordPress Multisite network effectively, ensuring it remains secure, efficient and scalable.  

1. Efficiently handling updates, backups and security    

Managing multiple sites means you need a streamlined process for updates, backups and security. From the Network Admin dashboard, you can handle regular updates for WordPress, themes and plugins, keeping all your sites secure and optimized. 

Automated backups are crucial for disaster recovery and tools like CodeGuard help by automating the backup process. To strengthen security across your network, you should implement SSL certificates, firewalls and other security protocols, ensuring complete protection for all your sites. 

2. Managing users and assigning appropriate roles    

WordPress Multisite allows you to manage users across different sites with specific roles, enhancing site management capabilities. Assigning appropriate roles is crucial to maintaining control and avoiding conflicts. As a Network admin, you can give individual site admins the freedom to manage content while limiting their access to global settings. This creates a structured system, reducing the risk of accidental changes that could affect the whole network. 

3. Optimizing performance and resource management  

Managing resources efficiently is critical in a multisite network. Use caching plugins like W3 Total Cache to optimize site performance and reduce load times across all sites. Regularly monitor server usage and server space, especially for larger networks, to ensure your hosting plan can support increased traffic and storage needs.  

Additionally, optimizing image sizes, minimizing HTTP requests and enabling lazy loading can enhance performance, keeping all sites in the network running smoothly. 

How do I convert my WordPress site to multisite?  

Converting your existing WordPress site to Multisite is a straightforward process but requires some preparation. Here’s how you can do it:    

1. Backup your site  

Before making any changes, ensure you have a complete backup of your site. This is crucial in case anything goes wrong during the conversion process. You can use backup plugins like UpdraftPlus or CodeGuard.    

2. Update wp-config.php  

Access your WordPress files using FTP or cPanel. Locate the wp-config.php file and above the line that reads “/* That’s all, stop editing!” add the following code. Happy publishing! */:    

define (‘WP_ALLOW_MULTISITE’, true);  

This enables the Multisite feature on your WordPress installation.   

3. Access network setup in the WordPress dashboard  

Once the code is added, log back into your WordPress dashboard. You will now see the Network Setup Option under the Tools menu. Click on Network Setup to start configuring your Multisite.    

4. Choose between subdomains or subdirectories    

During the setup, you’ll be asked to choose between using subdomains (e.g., site1.example.com) or subdirectories (e.g., [example].com/site1) that point to your server’s IP address. Choose the structure that best suits your needs, keeping in mind that some hosting providers may require additional setup for subdomains. 

5. Modify wp-config.php and .htaccess    

WordPress will generate specific code to add to your wp-config.php and .htaccess files. You can use an FTP client to copy and paste the provided code into the respective files. This step ensures that your Multisite network functions properly. 

6. Network admin dashboard access    

After updating the files, refresh your dashboard. You will now have access to the Network Admin Dashboard, where you can manage all sites within your Multisite network.    

7. Add new sites to your network    

You can now begin adding new sites to your Multisite network. In the Network Admin Dashboard, navigate to Sites > Add New. Fill in the required information (site title, URL, admin email) and your new site will be created within the network.    

How to set up Bluehost WordPress multisite hosting step-by-step guide

If you have a Bluehost account and a secured domain, setting up WordPress Multisite is a straightforward process. Here’s a step-by-step guide:  

Step 1: Enable multisite    

Log in to your Bluehost account and navigate to the WordPress Hosting section. Go to the WordPress installation area, usually found in the control panel or cPanel under “Install WordPress.”  

Bluehost uses Softaculous for automated installations, making the process seamless.  

• Choose the WordPress version and installation URL, ensuring the directory is set to the root (e.g., public_html) for simplicity.  
• Enable Multisite (WPMU) in the site settings. This configures wp-config.php automatically. Our servers support Apache mod_rewrite, which is essential for Multisite.  
• Set up your site name, description, admin credentials and email. Use a strong password for security.  
• Select your preferred language and complete the installation.  

Step 2. Set up the multisite network  

After installation, activate the multisite network by visiting https://[yourdomain].com/wp-activate.php.  

• Configure network settings by providing a network title and admin email, ensuring to review your server settings for optimal performance. 
• Choose between subdomains (e.g., site1.[yourdomain].com) or subdirectories ([yourdomain].com/site1). Since wildcard subdomains require additional setup, subdirectories are often the simpler choice.  
• Click “Install” to finalize the setup, which creates the necessary database tables.  

Step 3. Create new sites  

As the super administrator, access the “Network Admin” menu in your WordPress dashboard.  

• Go to Network Admin > Sites > Add New to create additional sites.  
• Enter the site name and address (e.g., /site1, /site2).  
• Click “Add Site” to finalize the creation. Each site will have its own dashboard for content management.  

Step 4. Assign users  

Managing users is essential for a Multisite network.  

• Navigate to Network Admin > Users > Add New to create user accounts.  
• Assign users to specific sites via Network Admin > Sites > [Site Name] > Users, defining their roles (Administrator, Editor, Author, etc.).  

This step ensures proper access control, especially for educational or business networks.  

Step 5. Customize each site  

Each site in the network can be optimized individually.  

• Access the site via Network Admin > Sites or its direct URL.  
• Customize the appearance by selecting themes (network-wide or site-specific) and installing necessary plugins.  
• Manage content, widgets and settings to align each site with its purpose, whether for different brands, departments or courses. 

Final thoughts  

WordPress multisite simplifies managing multiple websites with centralized control and cost savings. But challenges like plugin compatibility and hosting requirements can make things tricky. To get the most out of Multisite, you need reliable hosting and the right tools. 

With Bluehost’s Multisite-friendly hosting and Bluehost AI Website Builder, you can effortlessly create, manage and scale your network without technical roadblocks. Whether you’re running a business, blog network or educational platform, Bluehost provides the speed, security and expert support to keep your sites running smoothly.   

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