Guide to Creating and Managing Subdomains of Subdomains on WordPress Multisite

Creating a subdomain of subdomains on a WordPress Multisite setup requires a well-organized approach to ensure everything is configured correctly. This guide will walk you through the necessary steps to set up and manage these subdomains, including server configuration, DNS settings, and WordPress Multisite setup.

Step 1: Set Up WordPress Multisite

Install WordPress: Ensure you have a standard WordPress installation installed on your server. This is the foundation for setting up a multisite network.

Log in to your hosting control panel or use your client management tool. Install WordPress if it is not already installed.

Enable Multisite: The Multisite feature must be enabled for your WordPress installation to support multi-subdomains setup. Here’s how:

Open your file via FTP or your web hosting control panel. Add the following line above the line that says '/* That’s all, stop editing! Happy blogging. */': define('WP_ALLOW_MULTISITE', true); Save the file and upload it to your root directory.

Access the Network Setup: Once the Multisite feature is enabled, you’ll need to set up your network.

Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard. Go to Tools > Network Setup (formerly Settings > Network Setup). Choose the Subdomain installation type. This setting will allow you to create subdomains on your multisite network. Follow the instructions to update your and .htaccess files.

Step 2: Configure DNS Settings

To point your subdomains to your server, you need to configure your DNS settings. Here’s what you need to do:

Create DNS Records: Log in to your domain registrar or DNS management interface. Create a DNS record for your subdomain, e.g., , and set it to point to your server’s IP address.

Wildcard DNS Record (Optional): If you want to create subdomains of subdomains, e.g., , you may need to create a wildcard DNS record:

A [Your Server IP]

This is usually done with an A record pointing to your server’s IP address.

Step 3: Add Sites to Multisite

After setting up your Multisite and configuring your DNS, you can start adding sites to your multisite network.

In your WordPress admin dashboard, go to My Sites > Network Admin > Sites. Click on Add New. Enter your subdomain, e.g., Fill in other details such as the site title, admin email, and click Add Site.

Step 4: Configure Subdomain Settings

This step involves configuring themes, plugins, and other settings for your subdomains within the WordPress Multisite network.

Go to My Sites > Network Admin > Themes to enable themes for your network. Go to My Sites > Network Admin > Plugins to manage plugins. Each subdomain can have its own settings, themes, and plugins. You can manage these from the individual site dashboard.

Step 5: Test Your Subdomains

After creating and configuring your subdomains, it’s important to test them to ensure they are working correctly.

Visit your newly created subdomains in a web browser. Check if the content displays correctly.

Troubleshooting:

DNS Propagation: Changes to DNS records can take time to propagate. If your subdomains don’t work immediately, wait a few hours and try again. Server Configuration: Make sure your server is configured to handle subdomains, especially if you are using a dedicated server. This may involve updating virtual host configurations.

By following these steps, you should be able to successfully create and manage subdomains of subdomains on your WordPress Multisite setup. If you encounter any issues, checking the WordPress documentation or visiting community forums can provide additional assistance.