1.
Introduction toWordPress Multisite Craig Taylor Toronto WordPress Group meetup.wptoronto.com

2.
Intro to WordPress Multisite● What is WordPress Multisite?● Who, Where, Why?● WordPress Multisite Examples● Why Not?● How to set up WordPress Multisite● Domain Mapping● References

3.
What is WordPress Multisite?

4.
From the WordPress Codex: “A multisite network is a collection of sites that all share the same WordPress installation....”

5.
What does that mean?● Sites in a multisite network can share plugins and themes.● Individual sites in network are virtual sites: – dont have their own directories on server – do have separate directories for media – do have separate tables in database

6.
What does that mean for you? If your WordPress installation is at: http://yoursitename.cawith a few keystrokes, you can add additional WordPress sites at: http://site1.yoursitename.ca or http://yoursitename.ca/site1 (but not both....more on that later)

7.
And?● Because there is only one installation of WordPress, you can update the WordPress installation for many sites, all at once.● You can install and update plugins and themes for many sites, all at once.● You get to call yourself Super Admin!● Problems may hit many sites, all at once.

8.
What about WordPress MU?● WordPress “Multi-User” – aka WordPressµ or WPMU – prior to WordPress 3.0 – forked from WordPress code, maintained in parallel, but still separate project – some plugins & themes worked....... – ….. and some didnt

9.
And after WordPress 3.0?● WPMU code merged with WordPress core● Multisite is part of all new WordPress installations...it just isnt turned on.● Setting up WordPress Multisite is easier than ever, which is a good thing.....● ….and a bad thing. (But mostly good!)

10.
Who, Where, Why?

11.
Who can use WP Multisite?● Anyone, but.. – get past the WP basics before jumping in – decide what you are going to use it for and whether you really need it – must have server access (FTP, cPanel File Manager, etc.) to modify files – dont practice on a live site!

12.
Where can you install Multisite?● Self-hosted (.org) WordPress installations – confirm server requirements – must have access to modify files – some hosts frown on it or dont allow it● Local installations – sub-folders (http://yoursitename.ca/site1)

13.
Why install WP Multisite?● Run multiple sites of your own with easier maintenance, upgrades, etc.● Quick website development/testing.● Manage client sites, control access.● Private network (school/teacher blogs).● Hyperlocal sites (regional news, etc.)● Offer a public blog/site hosting service.

14.
WordPress Multisite Examples

15.
WP Multisite Showcase● Spotted by Locals (spottedbylocals.com)● The Daily Cougar (thedailycougar.com)● Glen Urquhart School (gus.org)● Best Buy (local store sites)● Reuters Blogs (blogs.reuters.com/us/)● Happy Tables (happytables.com)● WordPress.com

16.
Why Not?

17.
Situations when you might not want Multisite● To categorize posts – use categories!● For special post types (eg. videos) – use custom post types● When you need separate user databases● If users need to include JS, iframes, etc.● If users need to install themes, plugins● Hosting small client sites

18.
How to Set UpWordPress Multisite (sort of)

19.
Wait! Before you start!● Are you sure you need/want multisite?● Easiest to enable on a fresh installation.● Not easy to undo (but it can be done...)● If you MUST enable on an existing site BACK EVERYTHING UP!!● Dont follow my instructions, go to: http://halfelf.org/ebooks/wordpress-multisite-101/ http://halfelf.org/ebooks/wordpress-multisite-110/

20.
Wait, not yet!● Decide on format (hard to change later) – Subdomains (site1.yoursitename.ca) ● need wildcard subdomains on server (ie. *.yoursitename.ca) ● web host must allow, and you must create – Subfolders (yoursitename.ca/site1) ● wildcard subdomains not required ● only way for local install (no wildcards) ● issues with converting older sites

21.
Allow Multisite● Modify wp-config.php to add define(WP_ALLOW_MULTISITE, true);

22.
Network Setup● Under Tools, there is now a new item:

23.
Creating the Network

24.
Enabling the Network

25.
Network AdminLog out and back in, and:

26.
Network Admin

27.
New Registrations

28.
Domain Mapping Using WordPress MU Domain Mapping plugin http://site1.yoursitename.ca can become http://site1.ca (any domain you control)http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wordpress-mu-domain-mapping/

29.
References● WordPress Multisite 101 by Mika Epstein & Andrea Rennick http://halfelf.org/ebooks/wordpress-multisite-101/● Wordpress Multisite 110 by Mika Epstein http://halfelf.org/ebooks/wordpress-multisite-110/● WP E-Books (Ron & Andrea Rennick) http://wpebooks.com/● codex.wordpress.org/Create_A_Network● codex.wordpress.org/Network_Admin● codex.wordpress.org/Multisite_Network_Administration Craig Taylor.... craig@vrtoronto.ca Toronto WordPress Group.... meetup.wptoronto.com