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Understanding WordPress Multisite Structures

WordPress Multisite: Subdirectory vs. subdomain setup​

WordPress Multisite allows you to create multiple sites under one installation. The two primary ways to organize them are:

  1. Subdomains (e.g., site1.yourdomain.com)
  2. Subdirectories (e.g., yourdomain.com/site1)

WordPress Hosting fully supports subdirectory-based Multisite, which is the simpler, more SEO-friendly, and easier-to-manage option for most setups.

Why we only support subdirectory Multisite​

While WordPress allows both subdomains (blog.yourdomain.com) and subdirectories (yourdomain.com/blog), WordPress Hosting supports only subdirectories because:

  1. Easier setup
    • No wildcard DNS or extra server configuration needed
    • Works instantly with WordPress Hosting's optimized infrastructure
  2. Better for SEO
    • Subdomains are treated as separate sites by Google
    • Subdirectories inherit the main domain’s authority
  3. Simpler SSL management
    • A single SSL certificate covers all subdirectory sites
    • No need for expensive wildcard SSL certificates
  4. Lower maintenance
    • No extra DNS records or server tweaks required

How to set up subdirectory Multisite on WordPress Hosting​

Step 1: Activate WordPress Hosting Premium​

Step 2: Configure Network Site​

  1. Log in and navigate: Log in to your WordPress Multisite network's admin dashboard. Go to My Sites → Network Admin → Sites. 

  2. Add new site: Click the Add New button.

  3. Enter site information: Provide the necessary details for the new site, such as:

    1. Site Address (URL): The subdirectory path for the new site (e.g., example.com/newsite).
    2. Site Title: A name for the new site.
    3. Admin Email: An email address for the site's administrator.

  4. Add site: Click the Add Site button to create the new site. 

  5. Access the new site's dashboard: You can access the new site's dashboard from the My Sites menu in the top toolbar, or by going to Network Admin → Sites, finding the new site, and clicking Dashboard. 

Step 3: Start Adding Sites​

  • New sites will appear as yourdomain.com/site1, yourdomain.com/site2, etc.

Best practices for subdirectory Multisite​

  • Use SEO-friendly slugs (e.g., yourdomain.com/blog instead of yourdomain.com/site1)
  • Limit plugins – Only use Multisite-compatible plugins
  • Regular backups – WordPress Hosting provides automated daily backups for safety