WordPress Multisite Tips, Tricks and Hacks

WordPress Multisite is a very powerful feature of WordPress. Many people don't know all the great projects you can build with Multisite. Over the last couple of years I have been working with Multisite and have learned a few tips and tricks to get it working better and making the install easier. Also, I've listed some additional ideas on what types of projects you can build with WordPress Multisite. Enjoy!

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1. WordPress Multisite Tips, Tricks & Hacks
2. WordPress Multisite What is Multisite? A feature of WP, that allows multiple sites under one install * a network
3. Install http://codex.WordPress.org/Create_A_Network Sub-domains or Sub-directories? WordPress Multisite site.example.com example.com/site TIP: Sub-directories can be installed on almost any shared host.
4. Install Problems • Changing from regular to Multisite • Server not setup correctly • Permissions not set on directories • .htaccess not being read or configured right WordPress Multisite TIP: Ask Server Admin if they know what WP Multisite is. Send server requirements.
5. Install Solutions • If changing from regular, reinstall from scratch • mod_rewrite is on and AllowOveride All enabled • uploads and blogs.dir need 775 permissions • recopy .htacess settings after move to server WordPress Multisite TIP: Directory path is a common problem for .htaccess when moving from dev environment to live server, i.e /htdocs/ to /var/www/htdocs/
6. What's Different? New Network Admin link to access global network settings. WordPress Multisite Access config, .htaccess settings and global network options. View global site list. Make edits, access Dashboard, Deactivate Archive or Delete.
7. Plugins In Multisite, managing plugins can be done globally or on individual sites. WordPress Multisite Network Activating a plugin globally turns on the plugin for all sites in the network. TIP: When a plugin is Network Activated, it disappears from the plugin directories of all child sites. It's on for all.
8. What can you use it for? Use BuddyPress and WP Multi-Network to keep activity and profiles separate. WordPress Multisite Multiple Social Networks • Think corporations, then subsidiaries, think school districts, then individual schools. • These are not 'child social networks', they are separate parent social networks in one install.
9. What can you use it for? Create your own Etsy or Shopify with MarketPress WordPress Multisite Shopping Mall • Global products list. Display products from all stores. • Fill your cart with products from up to 10 stores using Global Cart. • Get a percentage off each transaction
10. What can you use it for? Have all corporate sites in one location. WordPress Multisite Streamline Operations • Map real domains to sub-directory sites. • Keep consistent by maintaining one theme. • Increase security by making global modifications to all sites within network.
11. Tricks Customize the look and feel of sites in your network with a Theme Options page. WordPress Multisite Theme Options • Perfect for product, mall or subsidiary sites. • Create a unique header, background and color for each site. • Change the title, layout and footer for each site.
12. Tricks WordPress Multisite Multisite Customizations • For "query_posts( )", use "category_name" on templates you use globally. • Use the Sitewide Tags plugin to show all the posts in one central area. • Map domains to your network sites with the WordPress MU Domain Mapping Plugin.
13. Hacks WordPress Multisite Turn on Akismet for all network sites (Put in config file) /** Define WordPress.com API Key */ define('WPCOM_API_KEY','lkjasdflkjahklgaihdgh');
14. Hacks WordPress Multisite Don't get a 404 for any network sites (Put in config file) /* Send visitors to non-existent blogs here */ define( 'NOBLOGREDIRECT', 'http://myblog.com/' );
15. Hacks WordPress Multisite Autoload plugins - and keep hidden • Create an "/wp-content/mu-plugins" folder. • Add straight php files, no directories. • Perfect for a private theme notifier script.
16. Thank you! I will have links to this slideshow and more on www.crowdedsites.com next week WordPress Multisite