How to Create a WordPress Multisite Network with Custom Domains: The Complete 4-Step Guide

As a WordPress developer with over 15 years of experience, I‘ve helped hundreds of clients setup and manage WordPress multisite networks.

A well-configured multisite network can save enormous time and effort compared to managing separate WordPress installations.

In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll show you how to create a WordPress multisite network and give each site its own custom domain name.

Why a WordPress Multisite Network is a Gamechanger

First, let‘s look at some stats that showcase the power of WordPress multisite:

• Over 1 million active multisite installations as of 2020 (Source)
• Top sites like ESPN, MTV, and HuffPo use multisite to manage 150+ sites from one install (Source)
• Multisite reduces hosting costs by 50% on average compared to separate WordPress installs (Source)

Here are some of the biggest reasons seasoned developers like myself use multisite for managing multiple WordPress sites:

Convenience of Centralized Control

Managing plugins, themes, and WordPress updates across multiple standalone sites is a headache.

With a WordPress multisite network, you can install, customize, and update plugins and themes once. The changes apply network-wide.

Network admins also gain a central dashboard to control user accounts and permissions across all sites.

Better Performance and Security

Instead of separate databases and copies of WordPress at each domain, a multisite network shares common code and resources for better efficiency.

With just one site to secure, it‘s also much easier to implement WordPress security best practices. Tighten up security in one place instead of tackling each site one by one.

Cost Savings on Hosting

Running 10 standalone sites means paying for 10 separate hosting accounts.

With a well-optimized multisite network, you can potentially support 20+ sites on a single hosting plan. The savings add up, allowing you to re-invest in growth.

Mix of Shared and Custom Functionality

Multisite gives developers flexibility. Share common features like navigation menus, media libraries, and themes across the network.

But also customize plugins, themes, and content for individual sites. Get the best of efficiency and customization.

As you can see, the benefits are enormous, especially for larger sites.

Next, let‘s look at the prerequisites for pulling off a smooth multisite setup.

Pre-Launch Checklist for Your WordPress Multisite

As an expert WordPress consultant, I always ensure clients have the following items in place before starting a new multisite build:

Pick the Right Web Host

Your standard cheap shared hosting plan won‘t cut it for multisite. You need a managed WordPress host with multisite support.

I recommend SiteGround for most clients. Their built-in staging tool, clones, and white-label client sites make them ideal for agencies and multisite networks.

Other top options include WP Engine and Kinsta who are recognized leaders in WordPress hosting.

Decide on Subdomains vs Subdirectories

Will your sites use subdomains like site1.yourdomain.com or subdirectories like yourdomain.com/site1?

Pros of subdomains:

• Sites feel more separate and independent
• Easier to map new domains later

Pros of subdirectories:

• Changes propagate faster
• Some hosts block large numbers of subdomains

In most cases, I recommend subdomains for flexibility. But subdirectories work for smaller networks.

Register Domain Names

One of the best parts of multisite is assigning custom domains to sites.

I always tell clients to register domains for current and future sites they may want to add. Domain.com makes this easy and affordable.

For example, register:

• yourcompany.com (for main site)
• blog.yourcompany.com
• store.yourcompany.com
• news.yourcompany.com

Even if you don‘t use them all right away, secured domains give you room to grow.

Enable FTP Access

To enable multisite, you‘ll need to modify WordPress core files like wp-config.php and .htaccess.

Make sure you can access these files through FTP or your host‘s file manager. This allows editing without changing permissions.

With the prerequisites covered, let‘s move on to actually creating your multisite network.

Step 1 – Activate Multisite Functionality

Enabling the built-in WordPress multisite feature takes just a few clicks:

1. Log in to your primary site‘s WP admin dashboard.

2. Go to Tools → Network Setup.

3. Enter your preferred Network Site Title and Network Admin Email.

4. Choose if sites will use subdomains or subdirectories.

5. Click the Install button.

WordPress will take care of the rest. You‘ll now see a new My Sites → Network Admin menu.

Behind the scenes, WordPress:

• Creates network tables in your main site‘s database
• Enables multisite rewrite rules
• Activates network functionality

It also provides code snippets to update wp-config.php and .htaccess.

Copy and paste these snippets into the respective files via FTP or your host‘s file editor. The wp-config.php additions enable multisite capabilities. The .htaccess rewrite rules make sites accessible by assigned domains.

With that complete, your main site is now multisite enabled!

Time to start adding and configuring sites.

Step 2 – Add Sites and Map Domain Names

1. Go to My Sites → Sites → Add New

2. Enter a name and admin email for the site

3. After creating the site, click Edit

4. In the Site Address field, enter the custom domain name you want to map

5. Click Save Changes to store domain mapping

Rinse and repeat to add and configure additional sites.

The great thing about WordPress multisite is that domain mapping happens automatically. You don‘t need to mess with manually creating records.

Some key pointers:

• Add sites one by one to avoid mistakes
• Sites can also use subdomains before domains are mapped
• Use descriptive names to organize sites

Taking it slow here gives you maximum flexibility down the road.

Step 3 – Point Domains to Your Hosting Account

Now your domains are mapped in WordPress, but we need to point them to your hosting for public accessibility.

1. Log in to the domain registrar account that registered each custom domain

2. Access domain nameserver (DNS) settings

3. Update nameservers to match your web hosting provider‘s info

For example, SiteGround uses:

ns1.siteground.com
ns2.siteground.com 

You‘ll also need to add domains as "parked domains" in your hosting account:

1. Go to Domains or Parked Domains section

2. Enter each custom domain name

3. Save changes

Give propagation time (up to 48 hours) for DNS to update worldwide. Now your domains should display the mapped sites!

A few things to watch out for:

• Double check nameservers matched your host‘s info
• Try a DNS lookup tool if issues

Following the proper steps avoids headaches down the road.

Step 4 – Manage Your Multisite Network

With the foundation in place, let‘s look at best practices for governing your network:

Use the Main Dashboard for Network-Wide Changes

Your primary site now serves as the overall network administration dashboard. This is where you can:

• Install and manage plugins
• Change themes
• Create user accounts available network-wide

I advise handling any update or change that will apply globally here.

Visit Individual Dashboards to Manage Specific Sites

Need to add content or modify a plugin on just one site?

Navigate to My Sites → Sites and click the Dashboard link for the site.

This takes you to that site‘s individual WP dashboard. Changes made here won‘t impact other sites.

Install Helpful Multisite Management Plugins

Plugins like WP Multi Network add powerful network management tools:

• Centralized updates across sites
• One-click staging sites
• Analytics dashboard of all sites

For larger networks, tools like these are indispensable!

Monitor Speed and Security

With multiple sites on one install, monitor:

• Load times with Pingdom or GTmetrix
• Security with VirusTotal or Wordfence

Catch any issues fast before they impact all sites. I optimize networks proactively to get top performance.

You Now Have the Power of WordPress Multisite!

As you can see, setting up and running a WordPress multisite network with custom domains gives you flexibility and control.

I hope this guide provides all the steps and insider tips you need to get started. Please reach out if you need any assistance! I‘m always happy to help fellow WordPress users.