Multisite network basics in Wordpress - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What is a WordPress Multisite Network?

A WordPress Multisite Network is a feature that lets you run multiple websites from a single WordPress installation. It helps manage many sites easily under one dashboard.

beginner

How do you enable Multisite in WordPress?

You enable Multisite by adding a line in the wp-config.php file: define('WP_ALLOW_MULTISITE', true); Then you follow setup steps in the WordPress dashboard.

intermediate

What are the two types of Multisite network setups?

The two types are subdomains (site1.example.com) and subdirectories (example.com/site1). You choose one during setup based on your needs.

beginner

Who manages the sites in a Multisite Network?

The Network Administrator manages the whole network and can add or remove sites. Each site can have its own Site Administrator with limited control.

intermediate

Can plugins and themes be shared across all sites in a Multisite Network?

Yes, plugins and themes are installed once and can be activated network-wide or on individual sites, making management easier.

What file do you edit to enable Multisite in WordPress?

A wp-config.php

B functions.php

C .htaccess

D index.php

You add define('WP_ALLOW_MULTISITE', true); to wp-config.php to enable Multisite.

Which of these is NOT a Multisite setup option?

A Subdomains

B Separate installations

C Subdirectories

D Network-wide

Separate installations are not part of Multisite; Multisite uses one installation with subdomains or subdirectories.

Who can add new sites in a WordPress Multisite Network?

A Network Administrator

B Site Administrator

C Any logged-in user

D Theme Author

Only the Network Administrator can add or remove sites in the network.

Can plugins be activated on individual sites in a Multisite Network?

A Plugins cannot be used in Multisite

B No, plugins activate network-wide only

C Yes, plugins can be activated per site

D Plugins activate automatically on all sites

Plugins can be activated network-wide or on individual sites as needed.

What is a benefit of using WordPress Multisite?

A Sites cannot share themes

B Each site needs its own WordPress install

C No need for plugins

D Manage multiple sites from one dashboard

Multisite lets you manage many sites easily from a single WordPress dashboard.

Explain how WordPress Multisite helps manage multiple websites.

Think about how one control center can handle many sites.

Describe the difference between subdomain and subdirectory setups in Multisite.

Focus on how site addresses look.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of WordPress Multisite?

easy

A. To create a backup of a WordPress site

B. To speed up a single WordPress site

C. To run multiple WordPress sites from a single installation

D. To convert WordPress into an e-commerce platform

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the definition of Multisite

   WordPress Multisite allows managing many sites using one WordPress installation.

2. Step 2: Compare options with this definition

   Only To run multiple WordPress sites from a single installation matches this purpose; others describe unrelated features.

3. Final Answer:

   To run multiple WordPress sites from a single installation -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Multisite = multiple sites, one install [OK]

Hint: Multisite means many sites on one WordPress install [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing multisite with backups
• Thinking multisite speeds up a single site
• Mixing multisite with e-commerce features

2. Which file must you edit to enable WordPress Multisite?

easy

A. wp-config.php

B. functions.php

C. index.php

D. .htaccess

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the file for enabling multisite

   WordPress requires editing wp-config.php to enable multisite mode.

2. Step 2: Check other files' roles

   functions.php is for theme functions, index.php is main template, .htaccess handles URL rewriting but not enabling multisite.

3. Final Answer:

   wp-config.php -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Enable multisite in wp-config.php [OK]

Hint: Enable multisite by editing wp-config.php [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to enable multisite in functions.php
• Editing .htaccess instead of wp-config.php
• Confusing index.php with config files

3. After enabling multisite, which two options can you choose for new site URLs?

medium

A. Subdomains or subdirectories

B. Custom domains or IP addresses

C. File paths or query strings

D. Port numbers or protocols

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall multisite URL options

   WordPress multisite lets you choose between subdomains (site.example.com) or subdirectories (example.com/site) for new sites.

2. Step 2: Eliminate unrelated options

   Custom domains require extra setup, file paths and query strings are not multisite URL types, ports and protocols are unrelated.

3. Final Answer:

   Subdomains or subdirectories -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Multisite URLs = subdomains or subdirectories [OK]

Hint: Multisite URLs use subdomains or subdirectories [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking custom domains are default multisite URLs
• Confusing file paths with multisite URL types
• Mixing ports or protocols with site URLs

4. You enabled multisite but new sites show 404 errors. What is the likely cause?

medium

A. wp-config.php missing multisite enable line

B. Missing or incorrect .htaccess rewrite rules

C. Using subdomains without DNS setup

D. Not activating a theme for new sites

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand 404 errors after multisite setup

   404 errors usually mean URLs are not routed correctly, often due to missing or wrong .htaccess rewrite rules.

2. Step 2: Check other options

   Missing multisite enable line causes multisite not to work at all, subdomain DNS issues cause different errors, theme activation doesn't cause 404.

3. Final Answer:

   Missing or incorrect .htaccess rewrite rules -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   404 after multisite = fix .htaccess rewrites [OK]

Hint: Fix 404 by updating .htaccess rewrite rules [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Ignoring .htaccess rewrite rules
• Assuming theme activation fixes 404
• Confusing DNS issues with rewrite problems

5. Which of the following is a correct sequence to set up a WordPress Multisite network?

hard

A. Edit .htaccess first, then install multisite plugin, then create sites

B. Install a plugin, edit functions.php, create new sites, then configure DNS

C. Create new sites first, then edit wp-config.php and .htaccess

D. Edit wp-config.php to enable multisite, configure .htaccess, choose subdomain or subdirectory, then create new sites

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the correct setup order

   First, enable multisite by editing wp-config.php. Then configure .htaccess for URL rewriting. Next, choose subdomain or subdirectory setup. Finally, create new sites.

2. Step 2: Evaluate other options

   Multisite does not require a plugin; editing functions.php or creating sites before enabling multisite is incorrect.

3. Final Answer:

   Edit wp-config.php to enable multisite, configure .htaccess, choose subdomain or subdirectory, then create new sites -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Enable multisite in config, set rewrites, pick URL type, add sites [OK]

Hint: Enable multisite in config, set rewrites, then add sites [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to create sites before enabling multisite
• Relying on plugins instead of config edits
• Editing wrong files in wrong order