What You’ll Accomplish
After following this guide, you will be able to:- Connect single or multiple WordPress sites to your Dashboard
- Import sites in bulk using CSV files
- Synchronize site data between Dashboard and child sites
- Edit site settings and manage tags
- Run security scans and fix detected issues
- Configure site health monitoring
Prerequisites
- MainWP Dashboard plugin installed and activated on your Dashboard site
- MainWP Child plugin installed and activated on each site you want to connect
- Administrator access to both Dashboard and child sites
- Valid SSL certificates recommended for secure connections
Connect Sites to Your Dashboard
Connect a Single Site
After installing the MainWP Child plugin on your website, add it to your Dashboard.Enter site details
In the Add a Single Site section:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| URL | Your website URL |
| Verify Child plugin | Toggle on to reveal additional fields |
| Administrator Username | Admin username on the child site |
Configure authentication
| Option | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
| Administrator Password | Uses admin password for initial authentication. See connection security | Enabled |
| Unique Security ID | Optional additional security layer. Configure in MainWP Child settings | Disabled |
your-child-site.com/wp-admin/options-general.php?page=mainwp_child_tab
Configure optional settings
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Site icon | Upload custom icon (site favicon used if empty) |
| Select icon | Choose from built-in icons (uploaded icon takes priority) |
| Tags | Add to existing tags or create new ones |
| Client | Associate with a client |
| Verify SSL certificate | Enable for sites with valid SSL. Disable for self-signed or outdated certificates |
| SSL version | Leave default if no SSL certificate |
| HTTP username/password | Required if site uses HTTP Basic Authentication |
Extensions Settings Synchronization
When using MainWP Add-ons that require third-party plugins:| Extension Type | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Requires third-party plugin | Option to install plugin and sync default settings |
| Standalone extension | Option to sync extension default settings only |
If you experience connection issues, use Test Connection to verify Dashboard-to-site communication. Check Potential Issues for solutions or submit a support ticket.
Connect Multiple Sites
Add several sites simultaneously using the Multiple Sites table. Prerequisite: Install and activate MainWP Child plugin on each site before connecting.
Enter required fields
| Field | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Site URL | Yes | Full URL of each site |
| Admin Username | Yes | Administrator username for each site |
| Admin Password | If enabled | Admin password (leave blank if disabled in Child settings) |
Configure optional fields
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Site Title | Auto-filled from URL, customize for dashboard display |
| Tag | Assign tag for organization |
| Unique Security ID | Enter if configured on the site |
| HTTP Username/Password | For sites with HTTP Basic Authentication |
| Verify SSL | 1 = enabled, 0 = disabled |
| SSL Version | Auto for most configurations |
Import Sites (CSV Import)
Import multiple sites using a CSV file.
Format entries
Use comma-separated values in this order:
| Position | Field | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Site Name | Display name |
| 2 | Site URL | Full URL |
| 3 | Administrator Username | Required |
| 4 | Admin Password | If enabled |
| 5 | Tag name | Optional |
| 6 | Unique Security ID | If enabled |
| 7 | HTTP Username | If using Basic Auth |
| 8 | HTTP Password | If using Basic Auth |
| 9 | Verify Certificate | T = true, F = false |
| 10 | SSL Version | auto, 1.x, 1, 2, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 |
The CSV importer reads each line with
str_getcsv() and maps the fifth column (wpgroups) into the import payload, so anything you place in that column becomes the raw tag list for a site. When the importer creates a site, it splits that tag list with preg_split('/[;,]/', $params['groupnames_import']), which means commas and semicolons are treated as tag separators. Because the CSV itself is comma-delimited, the simplest way to import multiple tags is to separate them with semicolons (for example, Tag A;Tag B;Tag C).Export Sites
Sites export to a CSV file.
Synchronize a Child Site
Regular synchronization keeps your Dashboard current with child site data.Global Synchronization
Click the Sync Dashboard with Child Sites button in the header.
Individual Site Synchronization
MainWP automatically syncs sites once daily via WP Cron. For reliable cron execution, consider using Uptime Robot to ping your Dashboard regularly.
Edit Child Site Settings
Access per-site settings to update site name, administrator username, tags, and other options.General Settings
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Site URL | Change between HTTP and HTTPS if SSL certificate changes |
| Administrator Username | Update the connected user |
| Site Title | Update friendly name |
| Unique Security ID | Update if changed on the site |
| Tags | Add or remove tags |
| Auto Update Core | Enable automatic WordPress core updates |
| Ignore Core Update | Ignore WordPress core updates for this site |
| Ignore all Plugin Updates | Mark all plugin updates as ignored |
| Ignore all Theme Updates | Mark all theme updates as ignored |
| Ignore Translation Updates | Ignore translation updates for this site |
Per-site settings provide translation ignore control. Configure automatic translation updates globally in MainWP Dashboard Settings.
Advanced Options
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| SSL verification | Adjust if experiencing certificate issues |
| SSL Version | Leave Auto Detect unless specific version needed |
| HTTP username/password | Configure if site uses HTTP Basic Authentication |
Access Child Site WP Admin
MainWP provides one-click access to child site admin areas.Security Issues
MainWP scans child sites for known security issues and provides tools to fix them.Detected Security Issues
| Issue | Description | Fix Action |
|---|---|---|
| WordPress Version | Checks whether WordPress core is up to date | Update WordPress |
| PHP Version | Checks whether PHP meets current security support expectations | No direct action in this table |
| PHP Error Reporting | Checks whether PHP error reporting is disabled | Disable PHP Error Reporting / Reenable PHP Error Reporting |
| Database Error Reporting | Checks whether database error reporting is disabled | Disable DB Error Reporting / Reenable DB Error Reporting |
| SSL Protocol | Checks whether SSL is enabled | No direct action in this table |
| Debug Mode | Checks whether WordPress debug mode is disabled | No direct action in this table |
| Outdated Plugins | Checks for outdated plugins | Manage Updates |
| Inactive Plugins | Checks for inactive plugins | Manage Plugins |
| Outdated Themes | Checks for outdated themes | Manage Updates |
| Inactive Themes | Checks for inactive themes | Manage Themes |
Some checks are informational and do not include a direct Fix button in this table.
If security issues are fixed by another plugin, MainWP detects them as fixed but cannot use the Unfix function.
Site Hardening Scan
Reconnect a Child Site
Single Site Reconnection
Bulk Reconnection
Delete a Child Site
Delete Single Site
Delete Multiple Sites
When deleting a properly connected site, MainWP automatically deactivates the Child plugin. For disconnected sites, manually deactivate the Child plugin on the site.
Manage Child Site Notes
Create a Note
View Notes
View notes through the Notes column or the Notes widget on the Individual Child Site Dashboard.Manage Child Site Tags
Tags (formerly Groups) help organize sites for easier selection and management. Multiple tags can be applied to any site.
Filter the Manage Sites Table
Use the filter row on Manage Sites to narrow results by tags, statuses, and clients.
| Filter | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Is / Is not | Include matches or invert selected criteria |
| Tags | Filter by one or more tags, including No Tags |
| Tag logic | Choose Match any (OR) or Match all (AND) when multiple tags are selected |
| Status | Filter by Connected, Disconnected, Available update, Site Health needs improvement, PHP Ver < 7.0, PHP Ver < 8.0, or Suspended |
| Clients | Filter by one or more clients, including No Client |
Set filter criteria
Select tags, tag logic (Match any (OR) or Match all (AND)), status, and clients as needed.
Create a Tag
Edit a Tag
Go to MainWP > Sites > Tags, click the tag name, add or remove sites, and click Save Selection.Delete a Tag
Go to MainWP > Sites > Tags and click the Trash icon next to the tag name.
Site Health Monitoring
WordPress Site Health checks security and performance. MainWP monitors child site health status and alerts you when sites need attention.Monitoring configuration now lives in the dedicated Uptime Monitoring guide, including Site Health Monitoring settings.
Common Problems and Fixes
| Problem | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Site won’t connect | MainWP Child plugin not activated | Verify the Child plugin is installed and activated on the site |
| Connection fails with SSL error | Invalid or self-signed SSL certificate | Disable Verify SSL certificate in the site’s connection settings |
| Site shows as disconnected | Changed admin credentials or site URL | Use Reconnect from the actions menu and update credentials |
| Sync fails for a site | Firewall or security plugin blocking requests | Whitelist your Dashboard IP in the site’s firewall settings |
| Security scan shows issues already fixed | Another plugin fixed the issue | MainWP detects the fix; no action needed |
| CSV import fails | Wrong file format or missing required fields | Ensure file is CSV format with all required columns filled |
Self-Check Checklist
After working through this guide, confirm:- Sites appear in the Manage Sites table with green status indicators
- Sync completes without errors
- You can access child site WP Admin via the Login icon
- Manage Sites filtering works for tags, statuses, and clients
- Multi-tag filtering works with both Match any (OR) and Match all (AND)
- Security scan runs and shows results
- Site Health monitoring is enabled if needed (Uptime Monitoring)
Related Resources
- MainWP User Interface: Tables - Learn common table controls used across MainWP pages
- MainWP Dashboard Settings - Configure global dashboard settings
- Uptime Monitoring - Configure Monitoring Settings (Uptime + Site Health)
- Potential Issues - Troubleshoot common connection problems
- Connection Security - Learn about MainWP’s security model