How to enable Multi-Site option in WordPress 3.0
WordPress 3.0 is when the big merge happens. The core of WPMU is incorporated in WordPress which means that you can now run multiple blogs from one installation of WordPress. This new feature is being called Network or Multi-site option. By default this feature is disabled. If you want to use this option in your WordPress, then you would have to enable it.
To enable this feature, simply open your wp-config.php file located in your WordPress root folder. Then add the following line anywhere in the file:
define('WP_ALLOW_MULTISITE', true);
Once you have done that, you should be able to access the network page from Tools » Network
Now, you no longer need to install multiple copies of WordPress because you can run multiple blogs from one installation. By default, you would only be allowed to run other blogs as a subdomain. To use other domains for blogs, you can use a Domain Mapping plugin.
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if you want to use sub domains make sure your home url & site url is set to http//domain rather than http//:www before you enable multisite it will try and configure your sub domains like this http//subdomain.www.domain.tld
Great news! Finally, I used Movable Type 4 for a while, it was great because you could create as many blogs as you liked with only one installation, the downside was the lack of current plugins, themes, and overall support.
The downside to WPMU is the limited administration options in every blog except the original, and the very very very limited kitchen sink, do you know if by enabling this option there other blogs you create will be limited like in MU?
This will be just like MU, so if you considered MU to be limited, then yes.
I’m currently working with both MU and WP3.
My view on MU is that it is clunky and a swine to configure.
I’m seriously considering changing my MU install back to WP3 because it’s such a pain to work with.
Downside 2: Wishlist member does not work with MU
Apart from that though there are some gorgeous templates etc
Cheers,
Evelyne
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make great thankz
i was dload wordpress 3.0 beta yesterday . but while i get install nothing get form support multi subdomain
och .. just change wp-config.php
I’d love to see a full tutorial on how to get a new site going complete with a new theme
i found a trouble when i set to i chose the subdomain option and when i enter to the Network option panel i get this
Warning: An existing WordPress network was detected.
This is a DNS issue. Read here for details: http://codex.wordpress.org/Create_A_Network#Network_Details
Thanks for the great posts. Maybe this is a good way to install two themes in two languages.
You can do it this way yes
But remember, your posts must be translated by hand not on the fly. Because posts does not carry over through out the network by default.
Got that, Cheers
Will the new wordpress 3.0 allow for us to create a network of blogs like wordpress.com??? Meaning can I have other people create free wordpress sites from my 3.0 installation??? Or is the 3.0 installation for personal use???
You can give out usernames if you want with WPMU and you could do it with this one. Although extra customization will be necessary.
i have 2 blogs, one is main & another one is sub domain, how can i combine both? mean: how to use single installation.
If you were using WPMU before, simply click upgrade and it will happen. If you have them on a separate database, then you need to export the backup file for your subdomain blog. Install WordPress 3.0 and enable multi site. Then you need to create a subdomain account in your network. Then import the posts and images using the export file that you had.
That looks like its a pretty cool feature of WP 3.0 which should make my life easier.
I’m running Windows Server 2008 with IIS and can’t seem to find the install instructions for IIS, only Apache for WP3.0 MU. What would replace .htaccess for Windows/IIS?
Thanks.
Dave
Get Linux servers, we don’t support IIS.
HI Dave,
as I understand it WP3 requires Ill 5 to operate.
Go linux
Mike
Just installed wordpress 3.0 release candidate for my new blog and followed your instructions to create multiple blogs in it. Pretty happy with the setup but one question.
How to configure search on main blog, so that it searches posts in all the blogs.
You would need to call a wpdb query to display all posts.
Great website guys! You really know your WP stuff!
Here is an issue I’m have with the new WP 3.0 and the multi-blog feature: I think I did everything as stated in all the instructions I have read when I set it up. But when I create a new site using the sub-domain setting, I get a page can’t be found. I can get to the wp-admin on the sites I create, but cant see the public side of the site. I’m using HostGator for my host. Now I remember seeing some requirements that the hosting company may need to configure to make the multi user worked, but I cant remember..du.
Any insight with this issue would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks again for all you do.
Sometimes you would need to have correct DNS name records.
As you all know that wordpress 3.0 is out there and have to upgrade them. You can run multiple websites in wordpress 3.0 and this tutorial will clearly indicated that how you do it.
My question is that could i need a new installation of wordpress will upgrading to wordpress 3.0 directly through dashboard will do the work or not and for integrating the other blogs on itcould mess up all the things or not. Need your opinion on this?
It would be a pleasure if you guys come up with a tutorial on “how to merge your blogs into one blog” badly needed at this time.
Great! Thanks!
I know (and have) installed wp in a aub-directory and run a site from there without interfering with the root domain site. But what if the people running the root domain decide to have the sub-directory wp site manage them in the future – how would that work?
For top level domains, you would need to use a Domain Mapping plugin. I think this is what you are asking for. If not then please email us.
Hi,
I have followed all of the instructions as detailed above.
I have inserted the code in the wp-config.php, where you recommend.
I have also set up wild card subdomains in my DNS.
( I am running my sites on a Linux server through SEO hosting, which is part of Hostgator )
I do not get the NETWORK menu option coming up in tools.
Could this be because I have set up addon domains onto my primary ( account ) domain?
I have enabled wildcard subdomains for all of the addons as well and they are all upgraded to WP 3.
Any hints, tips or tricks are extremely welcome.
Thanks in advance,
Mike
MU should be installed at the minimum (VPS). If you have shared hosting, then MU is not the way to go.
Thank you for this posting.
I wonder why this information should be that hard to find.
should the multisite function be possible to just activate / de-activate from within the user interface?
I think so
Thank you once again; I got the information I was looking for
Michael
Please help me understand what is wrong.
- firstly I create a subdomain using my CP hosting.
- I create a website using the dashboard and it’s there under ‘my sites’. When check the subdomain folder with my ftp client, its empty.
- I check /wp-content/blogs.dir/ and that’s also empty (I have 777 the folder)
Are there files uploaded to the subdomain automatically or what happens?
You do not need to create each subdomains in the cPanel. WordPress does that automatically.
Thanks for the quick reply.
This is the problem. It doesn’t.
Is it because of the server blocking this action or because of something I missed installing the programme?
Thanks for your help.
I have just upgraded to 3.0 and was looking forward to playing with the multi-blog options. A little bit surprised that a manual modification of wp-config.php is required – why did WordPress not put an option in the admin panel to turn it on?
Because not everybody needs it, and by putting an option there can confuse beginners.
I’m having the same problem as Rick Nieslen. I can create new sites but when I click on the link to activate it in the email I get page can’t be found.
My host said they set my server up for wildcard domains but I’m not sure how to check that it actually is.
Could you do a tutorial on how to enabel a network using sub-domains. Especially on step 2 setting up wildcard subdomains for apache servers.
While searching for answers I did find a plugin that will perform steps 3 through 5 of http://codex.wordpress.org/Create_A_Network
The plugin can be downloaded from http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wordpress-multi-site-enabler-plugin-v10/
Thought I was crazy because I couldn’t get it working and realized it was just my impatience… the sub-domain just needed to propagate.
Anyone know how to enable the search across sites functionality? I need the subsites to be indexed in the search tool.
You need a plugin to do sitewide search. Here is one such plugin: http://premium.wpmudev.org/project/global-site-search
Whatever plugin you choose, make sure it works for the WordPress/MU version you are using.
Hi! I got WP3 and multi user installed. Everything seems to be in working order. I’m a WP beginner and my objective for this new site is to have 3 blogs to go along with my Home, Shop, About and Contact pages. Blog #1 will be main blog, Blog #2 will be a wine diary, Blog #3 will be ideas on ideas to recycle wine bottles. I will have a menu to go to all 7 of these pages (all on the same website). I’m building the theme for this site in Artisteer. I’m trying to figure out how to actually use this Multi Site feature in order to make this happen. Will it even work for what I’m trying to do? If you have any links or tips on how to use it (multi-sites) once it’s installed that would be great too!! I appreciate your time and effort! Thank you!
Multi Site will surely work. WordPress Codex has an article on how to deal WPMU.
It may be soud a little bit crazy but with Wp MS it is possible to show below an post comments from same post published on a different website? I want a mobile site but with only one category of it to be the normal site.