Migrating Wordpress sites to Multi User with Multiple Domains

Too many Wordpress sites? Consider migrating them all into one Wordpress Multi-User (WPMU) site with the Multi Site Manager functionality to host one installation for multiple domain.

Why?

1. One installation and upgrading for core Wordpress.
2. One installation and upgrading for plugins.
3. Domains are easily manageable.
4. Quickly setup a new Wordpress installation in no-time. As easy as pointing the new domain to the install directory and configuring the Multi Site Manager plugin.

Need some help and general directions to get you started? Here are a few links and pointers.

1. It's highly recommended that you atleast get yourself a VPS that you could play around with (WHM and shell access). I use Hostforweb and VPS.NET.
2. Install WPMU
3. Need to set "No wildcards for local hosts file"
   1. Locally - Need to add every test domain by hand. 
   2. DNS changes.
   3. Setting up the WHM
      1. Your hosts file is usually under /etc/hosts
      2. Your httpd.conf  is usually under  /usr/local/apache/conf/httpd.conf
      3. Follow the directions on this comment.
4. I prefer the sub-domains option – installation has to be in the main directory.
5. Configure Domain mapping
   1. Multi Site  Manager (the option I use)
      1. Guide on getting Multi Site Manager to work on WPMU.
   2. Domain mapping plugin
      1. Tutorial on setting things up.
   3. Doing it by hand (God knows why, I recommend against this unless you know what you're doing).
   4. In case you run into trouble with repeated redirection loops or you're not able to login to the mapped domain - recreate the mapping, reset ALL permissions.
6. Plugins - some Wordpress plugins work as is on WPMU. General comments about plugins that work for basic functionality
   1. Sitemaps
   2. Google Analytics
   3. Headspace2 didn't work well, applied All in One SEO.
7. Then - migrate your Wordpress sites into the WPMU
   1. Importing categories - use the OPML of your Wordpress blog with  http://youroldblog.com/wp-links-opml.php with the import option in your new blog.
   2. Export your posts and comments and import to the new blog. 
8. Redirect to the new domain - set .htaccess with the following

<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
RewriteEngine on

Did it a few months ago with and have since enjoyed effortless maintenance and new blog setup. Have helped a few friends use this method with their setups. Hope this helps somewhat.

Good luck.

One CommentLeave a Comment

1. decha kunla says:

   November 4, 2009 at 7:30 pm

   Really nice article, i read entries blog afternoon then add it to my bookmarks and wait for your next article, i plan follow as you.

   Thanks so much
   decha kunla

   Reply