Set-up different domains for shops on WordPress MultiSite
Different domains can be assigned for your shops within MultiSite Network, this is a feature supported by plugin and does not require additional code extensions to implement. The set-up is straightforward and require a basic web management knowledge.
There are few steps required to make the preparations and actual domain assignment for a shop on your network:
Step 1
Domain Purchase
A domain is required. If not own this can be purchased through multiple registrar sites. A domain can be anything and can use any available extension.
Step 2
Domain DNS Set-up
A Domain Name System (DNS) is required to be set. This is a way to make virtual link for domain to actual data storage. Generally a basic DNS management is available at the domain registrar. You should use the DNS details you received from your hosting provider.
A DNS update / change can take up to 24 hours to become available to all internet networks. You should wait before the domain become available through your browser before continue.
Step 3
Add domain to your host
The domain need to be registered with your host. Presuming the management interface is a cPanel (which is pretty mush used by everyone) the Addon Domains area should be used. As Document Root the exact path of current WordPress MultiSite instance must be provided. This is the same path as the main domain through which the Network can be accessed. Using the same path ensure that accessing the new domain it goes to the same WordPress instance.
Step 4
Assign the domain to a shop
Within the WordPress MultiSite Dahsboard, at Sites a new site is required to be created. This can be set as subdomain / subdirectory (depending on Network configuration) or a custom domain. If there's already other sites created which will be used with different domains, the above can be skipped.
Once created, access site Edit (within All Sites interface) and update the Site Address (URL) field with the new domain and Save Changes. Also the Public attribute of the site need to be active for the core, to include the site in the process.
Step 5
Giving it a try
The configuration is completed, the new shop should be available to be accessed through the new domain. Depending on the browser, a cookie and cache data clear might be required, also a browser restart to ensure new cookies will be used.
The new shop with different domain is ready to use all features of plugin.
Important, that all domains need to point to the same Nameserver / Hosting account where the WordPress MultiSite instance is deployed.
Hi – Do products need to be entered into each domain/shop separately, or can there be one main hub site where a product can be assigned to appear in different shops? Screenshots or video of how to add products to different shops might be helpful.
Hi,
There’s no need for products to exists in all sites, those should be published into shops wherever there are required, depending on profile. There is no option for a product to show on another shop, but it can be included in the shopping cart which works globally.
Thanks.
This isn’t always the case, something you might want to consider for future features & updates. I have manage a large ecommerce site where there’s 450 products — on the “sister” site we duplicate about 50 products that need to be there. I’m trying to find a solution now that will use your plugin but also maybe Woo Multi Store so that I can replicate products across others sites in the network because it is a very real business requirement. Just my input as I’m trying to figure out how to make this all work now, thanks!
Ethan, did you find a solution? I am looking to accomplish the same set up. Did Woo Multistore and Woo Global Cart work together?
Hi,
Such a feature is already available in our plugin, for more details see WooCommerce Product Synchronisation article.
I’m not sure how these two plugins will work together and if they will conflict or not, but I’m looking at to achieve same goal right now where I have 2 stores that need to have global cart BUT also share some products
Hi,
Both plugins work just fine toghether.
Thanks