How to Set Up WordPress Multisite

WordPress Multisite lets you run a network of WordPress sites from a single installation — each with its own content, themes, and plugins, all managed from one dashboard. This guide explains how to enable and configure WordPress Multisite on your Host Dada hosting account.

Before You Begin

• Multisite should be enabled on a fresh WordPress installation or before you've built significant content. Adding it to an established site is possible but more complex.
• If you plan to use subdomain-based sites (e.g. site1.yourdomain.com), you'll need a wildcard DNS record and wildcard SSL certificate. If you prefer subdirectory-based sites (e.g. yourdomain.com/site1/), no extra DNS is needed.
• Disable all non-essential plugins before enabling Multisite — they can be re-enabled afterwards.

Step 1: Add the Multisite Constant to wp-config.php

1. In cPanel, go to Files > File Manager and navigate to your WordPress root (usually public_html).
2. Right-click wp-config.php and select Edit.
3. Find the line that reads:
   /* That's all, stop editing! Happy publishing. */
4. Add the following above that line:
   

   define( 'WP_ALLOW_MULTISITE', true );

5. Save the file.

Step 2: Install the Network

1. Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
2. Go to Tools > Network Setup. (This option appears after adding the constant.)
3. Choose your network structure:
   • Sub-domains — e.g. site1.yourdomain.com (requires wildcard DNS/SSL)
   • Sub-directories — e.g. yourdomain.com/site1/ (recommended for simplicity)
4. Enter a Network Title and confirm the Network Admin Email.
5. Click Install.

Step 3: Update wp-config.php and .htaccess

WordPress will display two blocks of code to add. Follow these steps exactly:

1. Open wp-config.php again and paste the provided code block (containing MULTISITE, SUBDOMAIN_INSTALL, etc.) above the stop-editing line.
2. Open .htaccess (in public_html — enable hidden files in File Manager settings to see it).
3. Replace the entire existing WordPress .htaccess block with the new block WordPress provides.
4. Save both files.

Step 4: Log Back In and Access Network Admin

1. WordPress will log you out. Log back in at yourdomain.com/wp-login.php.
2. You'll now see a My Sites menu in the top toolbar and a new Network Admin area.
3. Go to My Sites > Network Admin > Dashboard to manage the network.

Step 5: Add Sites to the Network

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

Each new site gets its own content, menu, and settings. You can install themes and plugins network-wide from Network Admin, then activate them per-site.

Setting Up Wildcard DNS and SSL (Subdomain Mode Only)

Wildcard DNS Record

1. In cPanel, go to Domains > Zone Editor.
2. Add an A record with name *.yourdomain.com pointing to your server IP.

Wildcard SSL Certificate

1. In cPanel, go to Security > SSL/TLS Status.
2. Wildcard certificates require a DNS challenge — contact our support team and we can issue a wildcard Let's Encrypt certificate for your domain.

Troubleshooting

• Network Setup menu missing: Confirm the WP_ALLOW_MULTISITE constant was saved correctly in wp-config.php.
• Sub-sites return 404: Your .htaccess file was not updated. Re-copy the rules WordPress provided.
• Plugins not available on sub-sites: Network-activate plugins from Network Admin > Plugins so they're available across all sites.
• Subdomain sites not resolving: Check that the wildcard DNS A record is in place and has propagated.

If you run into issues during setup, open a support ticket and we'll help you configure Multisite correctly.