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Themes and Plugins Management

by | Jun 19, 2024 | Multisite

Managing themes and plugins in a WordPress Multisite Network requires a different approach compared to a single WordPress installation. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to effectively manage themes and plugins within a multisite environment:

Themes Management

Network-Wide Themes Management
  1. Installing Themes
    • Navigate to My Sites > Network Admin > Themes.
    • Click on the Add New button to upload a new theme or choose one from the WordPress repository.
    • Once installed, the theme will be available for activation on individual sites within the network.
  2. Network Activation
    • To make a theme available to all sites within the network, click the Network Enable link under the theme’s name.
    • This will allow site admins to activate the theme on their individual sites.
  3. Disabling Themes
    • If you want to remove a theme from the network, click on the Network Disable link.
    • This will prevent site admins from activating the theme, although it will remain installed on the network.
Site-Specific Themes Management
  1. Activating Themes on Individual Sites
    • Site admins can go to Appearance > Themes in their site dashboard.
    • They can then activate any theme that has been network-enabled by the network admin.
  2. Customizing Themes
    • Site admins can customize their active theme by navigating to Appearance > Customize.
    • This allows them to modify the site’s appearance without affecting other sites on the network.

Plugins Management

Network-Wide Plugins Management
  1. Installing Plugins
    • Go to My Sites > Network Admin > Plugins.
    • Click the Add New button to upload a new plugin or choose one from the WordPress repository.
    • Once installed, the plugin will be available for network activation.
  2. Network Activation
    • To make a plugin available across the entire network, click the Network Activate link under the plugin’s name.
    • This will automatically activate the plugin on all sites within the network.
  3. Disabling Plugins
    • Click the Network Deactivate link to deactivate a plugin network-wide.
    • This will disable the plugin on all sites, but it will remain installed on the network.
Site-Specific Plugins Management
  1. Activating Plugins on Individual Sites
    • If a plugin is not network-activated, individual site admins can go to Plugins > Installed Plugins in their site dashboard.
    • They can then activate or deactivate plugins as needed.
  2. Plugin Updates
    • As a network admin, you can manage plugin updates by going to My Sites > Network Admin > Plugins.
    • Click on the Update Now link to update plugins network-wide or individually.