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WP 3.x Multisite question

by Michael Shook
14 replies
I have been experimenting with this feature of WP 3 for a bit. I have been trying to set up an existing domain and it seems thta I can only do sub-domains so I won't interfer with the existing link structure. No problem.

When I activate the network feature by editing the config file and set up a new blog in the dashboard, it appears as though the subdomain is not created in cpanel. At least I don't see it. So my question is do I have to set up the subdomain first in cpanel in order to take advantage of the multisite feature.

Or amybe I am asking the wrong question altogether. I am at the point with this feature where I do not know what I don't know and I could really use some help getting started in the right direction, if someone had a minute to help steer me.
#multisite #question
  • Profile picture of the author Yadira Barbosa
    Yes, first you must go to your Cpanel and create the subdomain, then go to Fantastico and select install a new blog, you will find the subdomain there, select the subdomian and fantastico install it.
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  • Profile picture of the author cma01
    I have been experimenting with this feature of WP 3 for a bit. I have been trying to set up an existing domain and it seems thta I can only do sub-domains so I won't interfer with the existing link structure. No problem.
    The standard multi site set up for WP3 uses subdomains.

    In order to have multiple domains as well as multiple subdomains, you need to install a plugin called WP Multi Network.

    For this to work, multi site has to be enabled.

    Then go to your control panel and add a wildcard subdomain by entering "*" (no quotes) in the subdomain control panel.

    Then add your additional domain as a parked domain.

    Install the multi network plugin. This will add an option "networks" in the WP Super Admin menu. To create the new network (root domain) in Wordpress.
    * Enter the network name (this can be anything, I usually use the name of the domain)
    * The new domain
    * Path: Enter "/" (no quotes)
    * Site Name: I usually use the same as the network name.
    * Click "Create Network"

    Now when you go to "My Sites" under Dashboard, you will see Domain1 and Domain2 both listed. Each will have their own admin area and you can add subdomains on each.

    On one WP install, you could have something like this:

    Code:
    http://domain1.com
http://domain2.com
http://green.domain2.com
http://blue.domain2.com
http://domain3.com
http://cats.domain3.com
http://dogs.domain3.com
    . . . etc.

    I've seen a lot of posts recommend the domain mapping plugin. Do NOT use this. It may reroute the external pages, but the internal links generated by Wordpress will still be the subdomain. It's a mess.

    If you use the the network plugin, the URL's and structure will be exactly the same as if you had multiple Wordpress installs.

    At least I don't see it. So my question is do I have to set up the subdomain first in cpanel in order to take advantage of the multisite feature
    No, you shouldn't have to do this. I don't think I've ever actually set up Wordpress for multi site without enabling the multi network feature, but if it's not working for you, add the wildcard subdomain I mentioned above and see if it fixes it. If not, it is either something with your installation or your host.
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    • Profile picture of the author Michael Shook
      Thank you for the help. I will do some more investigating to see what is going on and hopefully make it easy to set the sites up like this.

      And I will try the wildcard subdomain and see if that helps.

      Thank you again.
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      • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
        Wildcard sub domain is not an option. You must enable it or you won't be able to create additional "virtual" sites using the multi-site feature of WP3.

        I know your a member of NPP so I have to ask, are you trying to use our add blog feature? If so, and your having issues please submit a ticket and I'll be happy to assist you.

        Russ

        PS: If you want to avoid all the hacking of sorts to enable multi-site. Just down load our version from your back office, its already enabled when you install it, just go to tools and enable network. You'll just need to create a wild card sub domain.

        Originally Posted by JMichaelZ View Post

        Thank you for the help. I will do some more investigating to see what is going on and hopefully make it easy to set the sites up like this.

        And I will try the wildcard subdomain and see if that helps.

        Thank you again.
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    • Profile picture of the author fritzseo
      I use the domain mapping plugin at hostgator and all my domains act as a seperate domain;using hostgator;in fact i can make them a http or a www;whichever preserves the PR. Please explain why this way is bad as I have over 60 of them as a wpmu install;thanks
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      • Profile picture of the author sparky.ebiz
        Originally Posted by fritzseo View Post

        I use the domain mapping plugin at hostgator and all my domains act as a seperate domain;using hostgator;in fact i can make them a http or a www;whichever preserves the PR. Please explain why this way is bad as I have over 60 of them as a wpmu install;thanks
        @ Fritz - I'm just getting started with wordpress myself but looking to have 50 sites up in 2011. So, I found your post very interesting.

        OK, so let me see if I understand you correctly. Does this means you have only one hosting account at hostgator? And you have 60 sites up using Wordpress 3 multisite option (which means only one copy of WP3 + one SQL database + one set of plugins!!??)

        And, so the theory is... because hostgator handles the domain mapping there aren't any speed issues. Also, this setup must be SEO friendly otherwise you wouldn't bother, right?
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        • Profile picture of the author fritzseo
          you are mainly right; I have 2 hosting accounts a hostgator;each has about 30 domains under a main domain; hostgator is the only one that this works with;I think. one wp 3.0 install;most plugins can go in a special plugin folder which allows all plugins to show up for all 30 blogs;if it does not work then you can network network activate them and get same results. The procedure of getting all domains mapped to main domain is a little tricky; but yes they all act as a seperate domain; with or without a www;I use old domains with PR of 5-6-7;so keeping the Pr is very important to me; the tech guy at hostgator and me figured out how to do this almost by mistake; any way it works and saves alot of time. once you do one the right way;it is pretty simple for the rest of them. any other questions to the technique;just ask me. good luck!!
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  • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
    For what the OP asked there is no need for the multi "network" plugins... although it's a clever tool if you figure out how to use it.

    For just setting up the multi-site feature of WP 3.x - you just need to enable it (see the documentation) and to have the wildcard subdomain creation possible on your hosting account.

    [Disregard the first reply by Barbosa... obviously, has no idea about WP MS!]
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  • Profile picture of the author kangenguru
    I am using the mapped domain plugin so I can have several domains (TLD's) pointing to the network of multisites.

    The problem I have is the SPEED of the mapped domains. I am getting 20-30 seconds for the first page to come up. After that, any other page you can get through the links come fairly quickly.

    The primary domain, however, comes up very fast in less than 5 seconds.

    All these time frames are measured from a browser (Mozilla Firefox) connected to the internet with cable modem.

    Looked at WP MU Dev, and this issue also affects a number of people (but not all) and no one has yet proposed a solution.

    Any advise will help.
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    • Profile picture of the author Michael Shook
      Thnak you, I will setup the wildcard feature and give it another try. I watched a video tutorial about activating the multi site feature but the tutorial did not being with, enable the wildcard subdomains.
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  • Profile picture of the author grin
    Interesting post. I have been setting this up on a couple of sites including my marketing site; but I have it set to sub-directory. I think I will try switching it over to sub-domain and see if I can reproduce some of these results.
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    • Profile picture of the author fritzseo
      I see you are from evansville IN,my family is from rushville IN.
      this procedure uses parked domains and wildcard domains as well as the mapped domain (free plugin) plugin. Do you think enough people would be interested in a complete white paper on this wpmu install;including which plugins work and which do not ?
      thanks
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  • Profile picture of the author ClearWater404
    am facing a similar issue though could need some help in deciding what would be best for SEO with a multisite installation:
    a corporate website - bilingual - FR & EN
    trying to use a single WP install (hence Multisite install)
    want to use 2 domain names, one for each language site (they are almost symmetrical site except for the language difference)
    I need each site to be SEO optimised around the keywords contained in each domain name.

    I have had a look at the Domain mapping plugin, and also the WP Networking one.

    The hosting is Godaddy 4GH Wordpress on linux.

    Am pretty confused as to what solution would be best?
    any help is appreciated...
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    • Profile picture of the author Mikeyl
      I have 2 wpmu hosting accounts at hostgator.com;I use the domaon mapping plugin and it works great after I figured it out. Each hosing has one wp install with a main domain and I have 30 domains under each account acting completely like seperate domains. Some have the www's and some have http's. about 90% of plugins work on a install like mine; I use many autoblogging plugins and they work fine with some tweaking. I moved over 20 blogs from godaddy because they do not support many things like hostgator; domain mapping, etc. they are not up to hostgator's level. there is a traslation plugin I use that translates entire blogs in 42 languages;every page.
      I hope this helps;contact me with questions
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