WPMU DEV Domain Mapping: A Comprehensive Guide

WPMU DEV is a well-known provider of premium WordPress plugins and services, with a suite of tools designed to enhance WordPress performance, security, and functionality. One such tool is Domain Mapping, which is particularly useful when managing a WordPress Multisite network. Domain mapping allows you to map individual domains to specific sites within a WordPress Multisite installation, enabling users to access a subsite via its unique domain name instead of a subdomain or subdirectory.

This guide will explain how to use WPMU DEV’s Domain Mapping plugin, its benefits, setup process, and troubleshooting tips.

What is Domain Mapping?

Domain Mapping is a process that allows you to assign a custom domain name to individual sites within a WordPress Multisite network. This is especially useful if you’re managing a network of websites and want each site to have its own unique URL.

For example, if you have a Multisite network, by default, the subsites would have URLs like:

• example.com/site1
• example.com/site2

With domain mapping, you can set up each subsite to have its own domain:

• site1.com
• site2.com

This gives each site within your network the appearance of being a standalone website, which is beneficial for SEO, branding, and providing a better user experience.

Why Use WPMU DEV Domain Mapping?

WPMU DEV’s Domain Mapping plugin is one of the easiest ways to implement this feature in your WordPress Multisite. Here are some reasons why you should consider using it:

1. Professional Domain Management: It simplifies the process of mapping custom domains to subsites within your network.

2. SEO Benefits: Each subsite with its own domain can have individual SEO strategies and can rank independently in search engines.

3. Branding: Assigning custom domains to subsites makes each site appear independent and professional, which is ideal for businesses or organizations that require individual branding for each subsite.

4. Easy to Use: WPMU DEV’s Domain Mapping plugin simplifies the process of managing and mapping domains, even for non-technical users.

Prerequisites for WPMU DEV Domain Mapping

Before setting up domain mapping, ensure you meet the following prerequisites:

1. WordPress Multisite Network: Domain Mapping is designed for WordPress Multisite networks, so you must have a Multisite installation set up.

2. WPMU DEV Subscription: You need a WPMU DEV subscription to access the Domain Mapping plugin.

3. Custom Domains: You must have access to the DNS settings for each domain you want to map to a subsite.

4. WPMU DEV Domain Mapping Plugin: You’ll need to install the WPMU DEV Domain Mapping plugin.

Step-by-Step Guide to Set Up Domain Mapping with WPMU DEV

Step 1: Install the Domain Mapping Plugin

1. Download the Plugin: First, log in to your WPMU DEV account and download the Domain Mapping plugin from your account dashboard.

2. Upload the Plugin to WordPress:

   • Go to your WordPress dashboard and navigate to Plugins > Add New.
   • Click Upload Plugin, choose the downloaded plugin file, and click Install Now.

3. Activate the Plugin: After installation, activate the Domain Mapping plugin.

Step 2: Configure Domain Mapping Settings

Once the plugin is installed, you’ll need to configure the settings to enable domain mapping.

1. Enable Domain Mapping:

   • Navigate to Network Admin > Settings > Domain Mapping.
   • Enable the option to allow domain mapping by checking the box labeled Enable domain mapping.

2. Set Up the Mapping Server:

   • If you’re using the WPMU DEV Domain Mapping plugin, the plugin automatically configures the necessary mapping server settings, so you don’t need to make manual changes to your server configuration.

3. Save Changes: After enabling the feature, save the settings to proceed.

Step 3: Map Domains to Subsites

Now that the Domain Mapping plugin is activated and configured, you can start mapping custom domains to the sites within your WordPress Multisite network.

1. Add a New Domain:

   • Navigate to Network Admin > Sites and click Edit on the site you want to map to a custom domain.
   • In the Domain Mapping section, click Add Domain.
   • Enter the custom domain you want to map to the site (e.g., www.site1.com) and click Add Domain.

2. Update DNS Settings:

   • To make sure the domain points to your Multisite network, update the DNS settings for the custom domain. Typically, you will need to create an A record or CNAME record that points to the IP address of your WordPress network.

3. Verify the Mapping:

   • After updating the DNS settings, it may take some time for the changes to propagate. Once the changes have taken effect, visit the custom domain (e.g., site1.com) and verify that it redirects to the correct subsite within your Multisite network.

Step 4: Set Up SSL for the Custom Domain

It’s essential to secure your custom domains with SSL certificates to ensure data privacy and improve SEO rankings. Here’s how to set up SSL:

1. Get an SSL Certificate: You can either use Let’s Encrypt (free SSL certificates) or purchase SSL certificates for your domains from a trusted provider.

2. Install the SSL Certificate: Follow the instructions provided by your hosting provider to install the SSL certificate for your custom domain.

3. Force SSL in WordPress:

   • After the SSL certificate is installed, go to Network Admin > Settings > Network Settings and ensure that Force SSL on all sites is enabled.

4. Test the SSL Setup: Make sure that your site loads with HTTPS and that there are no mixed content errors.

Step 5: Troubleshooting Domain Mapping

While setting up domain mapping, you may encounter some common issues. Here are a few troubleshooting tips:

1. DNS Propagation Delay: After updating your DNS records, it may take some time (up to 24 hours) for the changes to propagate. Be patient and verify that the correct DNS records are in place.

2. Incorrect DNS Records: If your domain isn’t resolving to the correct subsite, double-check the DNS records and ensure they are pointing to the correct server IP.

3. SSL Errors: If you’re using SSL and encounter errors, make sure that the SSL certificate is correctly installed and that there are no mixed content issues on your site.

4. Domain Mapping Settings: If the domain isn’t mapping correctly, revisit the Domain Mapping settings in the Network Admin and ensure everything is set up correctly.

Benefits of Using WPMU DEV Domain Mapping

1. Custom Branding: Each subsite in your Multisite network can have its own branded domain, which is essential for businesses or users wanting independent branding for different sites.

2. SEO Advantage: Mapping custom domains gives each site its own SEO potential, allowing them to rank independently in search engines.

3. User Convenience: Visitors can access subsites directly via a memorable domain, instead of navigating through subdomains or directories.

4. Simplified Management: WPMU DEV’s plugin simplifies the process of managing multiple domains and makes it easy to configure domain mapping for a large Multisite network.

Conclusion

WPMU DEV’s Domain Mapping plugin is an essential tool for anyone managing a WordPress Multisite network. It enables you to map custom domains to your subsites, enhancing SEO, branding, and user experience. By following the simple steps outlined above, you can seamlessly integrate custom domains into your WordPress Multisite setup. With the ability to manage multiple domains from one network, your sites will have a professional and independent appearance that can scale with your business or community.