Setting up a multi-site WordPress network allows you to manage multiple WordPress sites from a single installation, offering scalability and ease of management. With Amazon Lightsail, you can easily create a multi-site network to streamline your website management process. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to set up a multi-site WordPress network on Amazon Lightsail.

Why Use a Multi-Site Network?

• Centralized Management: Manage multiple WordPress sites from a single dashboard, making it easier to update plugins, themes, and content.

• Cost-Efficiency: Save on hosting costs by hosting multiple sites on a single server instance.

• Scalability: Easily add new sites to your network as your business grows without the need for additional server resources.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Set Up a WordPress Instance

If you haven’t already, launch a new WordPress instance on Amazon Lightsail using the Lightsail console. Follow the prompts to configure your instance, including selecting a blueprint, instance plan, and SSH key.

Step 2: Configure DNS

Set up DNS records for your multi-site network. You can either use Lightsail’s built-in DNS management or configure DNS settings with your domain registrar to point to your Lightsail instance’s public IP address.

Step 3: Enable Multi-Site

Once your WordPress instance is set up, SSH into your server and navigate to the WordPress root directory:

Open the wp-config.php file for editing:

Add the following line above the “/* That’s all, stop editing! */” line:

Save the changes and exit the editor.

Step 4: Install Multi-Site

Log in to your WordPress admin dashboard and navigate to “Tools” > “Network Setup”. Choose whether you want to set up a subdomain or subdirectory network and follow the on-screen instructions.

Step 5: Update .htaccess and wp-config.php

WordPress will provide you with code snippets to add to your .htaccess file and wp-config.php file. Copy and paste these snippets into the respective files on your server.

Step 6: Network Configuration

Follow the instructions provided by WordPress to complete the network configuration process. You may need to log in again to access the network admin dashboard.

Step 7: Add New Sites

From the network admin dashboard, you can now add new sites to your multi-site network. Each site will have its own dashboard and settings, but you can manage them all from the network admin dashboard.

Conclusion

Setting up a multi-site WordPress network on Amazon Lightsail offers a convenient way to manage multiple websites from a single installation. By following these steps, you can create a scalable and cost-effective solution for hosting multiple WordPress sites on your Lightsail instance.

Happy networking!