Setting Up a Subdomain-Based Multisite in InstaWP Live
Setting up a subdomain-based WordPress Multisite with InstaWP Live is a streamlined process that ensures efficient management of multiple subsites under a single network. Follow these detailed steps to get started.
đź’ˇ Note: You can follow this guide before or after converting your site to a WordPress Multisite. Both approaches work seamlessly. Whether you map the domain first or convert to Multisite first, the setup remains reliable and effective.
Connect your domain to InstaWP Live.
Go to your InstaWP dashboard and click Hosting.
Click your hosted site’s name to open site settings.
Navigate to the Map Domain section and click Map Domain.
Enter the domain name here.
Also, obtain the two IP addresses provided by InstaWP Live. You will use these IPs when configuring your domain's DNS settings.
To connect the domain to the live site, enter the copied IPs (in the previous step) into the A record for your domain.
Host: @
Points to: InstaWP’s IP address (use the IP provided by InstaWP Live)
Record Type: A
To enable subdomain-based subsites, you must add a wildcard DNS record in your domain's DNS settings.
Host: *
Points to: InstaWP’s IP address (use the IP provided by InstaWP Live)
Record Type: A
This ensures that all subdomains automatically route to your main site.
đź’ˇ Note: Wildcard DNS records allow you to manage all subdomains dynamically without the need to add each one individually, making them essential for multisite configurations.
To ensure your sites are properly registered in the WordPress database, you must add them as subsites within the Network Admin. It allows consistent management of user roles, themes, and plugins across your network.
Log into your WordPress Network Admin panel
Go to My Sites > Network Admin > Sites.
Click Add New.
Enter the subdomain (e.g., subsite1.example.com).
Click Add Site.
Repeat these steps for each subsite you want to create.
After adding subsites in WordPress, you need to map them in InstaWP Live.
Go to your InstaWP Live dashboard.
Locate your main website.
Add each subdomain (subsite1.example.com, subsite2.example.com, etc.) as an Alias for the root domain (example.com).
Important: Every subdomain used for a subsite must be added as an alias in InstaWP Live to function properly.
Allow 5 to 30 minutes for SSL certificates to populate after DNS changes. If SSL doesn't propagate within this timeframe:
Clear your browser cache.
Check the SSL status in InstaWP Live.
Ensure DNS records are correct and fully propagated.
If a subdomain doesn't work after mapping, double-check that:
The wildcard DNS record is correctly set up.
The subdomain has been added as an alias.
DNS propagation is complete (which can take up to 48 hours in some cases).
Main Website: melvenko.online
Subsites:
subsite1.melvenko.online
subsite2.melvenko.online
By following these steps, your subdomain-based WordPress Multisite will be properly configured on InstaWP Live.
In some cases, wp-config.php may not be automatically updated. If this happens, you’ll need to manually update the DOMAIN_CURRENT_SITE constant to match the customer’s desired domain. Without this adjustment, the multisite setup may not function correctly.
Refer to the screenshots below for guidance.
By following these instructions, your subdomain-based WordPress Multisite will be properly configured on InstaWP Live. This setup offers seamless management and efficient performance for all your subsites.
đź’ˇ Note: You can follow this guide before or after converting your site to a WordPress Multisite. Both approaches work seamlessly. Whether you map the domain first or convert to Multisite first, the setup remains reliable and effective.
Step 1: Map your Domain and Copy IP Addresses
Connect your domain to InstaWP Live.
Go to your InstaWP dashboard and click Hosting.
Click your hosted site’s name to open site settings.
Navigate to the Map Domain section and click Map Domain.
Enter the domain name here.
Also, obtain the two IP addresses provided by InstaWP Live. You will use these IPs when configuring your domain's DNS settings.
Step 2: Configure DNS for the Domain and the Subdomains
To connect the domain to the live site, enter the copied IPs (in the previous step) into the A record for your domain.
Host: @
Points to: InstaWP’s IP address (use the IP provided by InstaWP Live)
Record Type: A
To enable subdomain-based subsites, you must add a wildcard DNS record in your domain's DNS settings.
Host: *
Points to: InstaWP’s IP address (use the IP provided by InstaWP Live)
Record Type: A
This ensures that all subdomains automatically route to your main site.
đź’ˇ Note: Wildcard DNS records allow you to manage all subdomains dynamically without the need to add each one individually, making them essential for multisite configurations.
3. Create Subsites in WordPress Network Admin
To ensure your sites are properly registered in the WordPress database, you must add them as subsites within the Network Admin. It allows consistent management of user roles, themes, and plugins across your network.
Log into your WordPress Network Admin panel
Go to My Sites > Network Admin > Sites.
Click Add New.
Enter the subdomain (e.g., subsite1.example.com).
Click Add Site.
Repeat these steps for each subsite you want to create.
4. Map Subdomains as Aliases in InstaWP Live
After adding subsites in WordPress, you need to map them in InstaWP Live.
Go to your InstaWP Live dashboard.
Locate your main website.
Add each subdomain (subsite1.example.com, subsite2.example.com, etc.) as an Alias for the root domain (example.com).
Important: Every subdomain used for a subsite must be added as an alias in InstaWP Live to function properly.
SSL Propagation
Allow 5 to 30 minutes for SSL certificates to populate after DNS changes. If SSL doesn't propagate within this timeframe:
Clear your browser cache.
Check the SSL status in InstaWP Live.
Ensure DNS records are correct and fully propagated.
Troubleshooting Tip
If a subdomain doesn't work after mapping, double-check that:
The wildcard DNS record is correctly set up.
The subdomain has been added as an alias.
DNS propagation is complete (which can take up to 48 hours in some cases).
Example Setup
Main Website: melvenko.online
Subsites:
subsite1.melvenko.online
subsite2.melvenko.online
By following these steps, your subdomain-based WordPress Multisite will be properly configured on InstaWP Live.
Manual Update in wp-config.php (If Required)
In some cases, wp-config.php may not be automatically updated. If this happens, you’ll need to manually update the DOMAIN_CURRENT_SITE constant to match the customer’s desired domain. Without this adjustment, the multisite setup may not function correctly.
Refer to the screenshots below for guidance.
By following these instructions, your subdomain-based WordPress Multisite will be properly configured on InstaWP Live. This setup offers seamless management and efficient performance for all your subsites.
Updated on: 21/03/2025
Thank you!