How to Convert a WordPress Site to a WordPress Multisite

Turning your existing WordPress site into a Multisite Network allows you to manage multiple websites from a single dashboard. This is ideal for agencies, businesses with multiple brands, or anyone managing several similar sites.

This guide walks you through the process step by step, no advanced development knowledge required.

✅ Before You Start (Important):

Please review the following before proceeding:

• Backup your site: Always take a full backup before making structural changes.
• Multisite is permanent: Once enabled, Multisite cannot be disabled without rebuilding the site.
• Administrator access required: You must be the site owner or a full administrator.
• Works best on a clean setup: Fewer plugins and custom configurations reduce risk.

Good news 🚀Rocket.net fully supports WordPress Multisite, and there is no additional hosting cost for enabling it.

Step 1: Enable Multisite in WordPress

1. Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard.
2. Go to Plugins → Installed Plugins.
3. Deactivate all plugins temporarily (you can re-enable them later).
4. Using an FTP client or File Manager, open your site’s wp-config.php file.
5. Add the following line just above /* That’s all, stop editing! */:

define('WP_ALLOW_MULTISITE', true)

Step 2: Set Up the Network

1. In your WordPress dashboard, go to Tools → Network Setup.
2. Choose Sub-sites in Subdirectories (recommended in most cases).
   • Example: yourdomain.com/site1
3. Enter a Network Title and Admin Email Address.
4. Click Install.

WordPress will now generate some code for you.

Step 3: Update Configuration Files

WordPress will ask you to add code to two files:

1️⃣ wp-config.php

Copy the provided lines and paste them into wp-config.php (just above the line that says That’s all, stop editing!).

2️⃣ .htaccess

Replace the existing WordPress rules in your .htaccess file with the new Multisite rules provided.

💡 Tip: Be careful not to remove any Rocket.net–specific rules already present.

Once done, save the files.

Step 4: Log Back In

1. Log out of WordPress.
2. Log back in.

You should now see a new My Sites menu in the top admin bar 🎉

Step 5: Manage Your Multisite Network

From My Sites → Network Admin, you can:

• Create new sites
• Manage users across all sites
• Install plugins and themes network-wide
• Control which plugins/themes sites can use

Adding a New Site

1. Go to My Sites → Network Admin → Sites
2. Click Add New
3. Fill in the site address, title, and admin email

That’s it,  your new site is live!

Plugins & Themes (Best Practices)

• Network admins control plugin and theme installation
• Individual sites can only activate what’s allowed

• Test plugins carefully, not all plugins are Multisite-compatible

   

Common Questions

❓ Is Multisite free on Rocket.net?

Yes. There is no additional charge to enable or run WordPress Multisite on Rocket.net.

❓ Can I revert back to a single site?

Not easily. Multisite is a permanent structural change. A full site rebuild would be required.

❓ Will my existing site stay online?

Yes. Your current site becomes the main site of the network.

Need Help?

If you’d like guidance, our Rocket.net support team is happy to help. Just reach out via chat or ticket, and we’ll point you in the right direction 🚀