How to set up subdomain multi-site on BlueHost?

  • Resolved Evil Overlord

    (@evil-overlord)


    10 years, 10 months ago

    I’ve tried to follow all the advice I can find on this, but still can’t make it work.

    What I want to do
    Set up multi-site wordpress with subdomains. I.e., the main site is mydomain.com, with a second site at wptest.mydomain.com

    What I’ve tried
    I’ve tried variations on the following:
    A
    1. Install WP to /wp
    2. Create subdomain *.mydomain.com
    i. Point subdomain to /wildcard OR
    ii. Point subdomain to /wp
    3. Edit wp-config to add multi-site line
    4. Use Tools | Network setup to create network
    5. At this point, WP insists that since my install is to a directory, I cannot use subdomains.
    6. Modify the suggested wp-config and .htaccess code to refer to /wp
    7. Re-login and create new wptest site.
    8. Go to wptest dashboard – get 500 error.

    B.
    All steps above, except in #2, create wptest.mydomain.com, and point to /wptest.
    8. Same result.

    C.
    1. Install WP to /
    Follow all remaining steps in A, except in #6 use suggested code with no alterations.
    8. Same result

    I need a step by step

    I’ve tried to follow instructions like these to the letter, but I just can’t make it work, including after an hour on chat with BlueHost.

    It seems like this must be a common thing. BlueHost is the recommended hosting service; lots of people seem to use multisite; many people use subdomains; the Codex suggests installing to a folder before creating the network. I just can’t figure what I’m doing wrong.

Viewing 8 replies - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)
  • Moderator Bet Hannon

    (@bethannon1)

    10 years, 10 months ago

    1. You might want to start by clearing the decks of what you have tried to make it easier to see things.
    2. have a single site install of WP with pretty permalinks– I suggest to your root directory to make things simpler
    3. In Bluehost, set up wildcard subdomains (https://my.bluehost.com/cgi/help/527#wildcard)
    4. Then follow the Create a Network instructions: steps 2-4

    When you get ready to create a new site, go to Network Admin, Sites–Add New, and create the site inside WP. The subdomain will be automatically added for you.

    Thread Starter Evil Overlord

    (@evil-overlord)

    10 years, 10 months ago

    Thanks. I’m pretty sure I’ve already done this, but I will try it again.

    Key question, though: Can I install to /wp rather than root? That seems to be the stumbling block. The Codex says I can do it, but WP itself says I can’t.

    Moderator Bet Hannon

    (@bethannon1)

    10 years, 10 months ago

    I think you CAN, but this is going to be above my pay grade. 🙂

    What specific error are you getting from WP about not being able to install in a directory?

    Thread Starter Evil Overlord

    (@evil-overlord)

    10 years, 10 months ago

    If I just install to /wp, WP tells me that because my install is to a directory, I have to use a subfolder network. There’s just no domain option.

    I’ve tried saying okay, then modifying the code network setup proposes (modifying the base location reference, and otherwise using the code a domain install to / provides). That produces a 500 error when trying to go to the subdomain site (main site works fine).

    However, doing an install to / and setting up a subdomain network also produces a 500 error. I spent a long time on chat with the BlueHost people about this, and the tech managed only to turn it into a 404 error (apparently by reverting to PHP 5.1) I see that other people have also had the 500 error issue, but seen no solution.

    It’s a bit frustrating. I plan a magazine site with two primary post types – stories and reviews. I can do this with one site and filters, but it seems to be best practice to have two sites – plus, one is already established at the subdomain (as a Blogger site).

    It seems like the options are: a single install with category filters to separate the post types, or two non-multi-site installs (perhaps with a manager plugin).

    That’s awkward, but mostly it’s frustrating to choose a second-best approach, because the Codex so clearly says I can do multisite from a folder, and yet I can’t make it work.

    Moderator Bet Hannon

    (@bethannon1)

    10 years, 10 months ago

    Have you read this post?
    https://wordpress.org/support/topic/giving-multisite-its-own-directory?replies=6

    Thread Starter Evil Overlord

    (@evil-overlord)

    10 years, 10 months ago

    I gave up installing WP in it’s own directory. It’s just too hard, and too poorly documented.

    On the other hand, this time around, the subdomains do work (no 500 error), so perhaps that was a temporary issue that just happened to strike while I was making my initial tests.

    timwilliam2009

    (@timwilliam2009)

    10 years, 10 months ago

    Hi Evil Overlord I just was successful with your problem on bluehost

    Go to cpanel bluhost . click to subdomain and add it to directory where you install WP multisite It’s will woking with this.

    Watch this video:

    Thread Starter Evil Overlord

    (@evil-overlord)

    10 years, 10 months ago

    @timwilliam

    Thanks. I got multisite to work with a root directory install, which is what this shows. I can’t get it to work with an install to (e.g.) /wp

Viewing 8 replies - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)

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