How to Create Multiple Websites in Magento 2 with Different Domains

Magento 2 provides a powerful multi-website architecture that allows merchants and developers to run multiple websites from a single Magento installation. Each website can have its own domain, products, pricing, customers, and store configurations while sharing the same Magento codebase.

In this tutorial, we will configure two separate websites:

http://localhost/m248/pub/
http://localhost/m248/test/

Step 1: Install Magento 2 and Configure Primary Website

Install Magento 2 normally and configure your primary website domain. Ensure the storefront and admin panel are working correctly before creating additional websites.

Step 2: Create Website, Store and Store View

Navigate to:

Stores → Settings → All Stores

Create a new Website, Store, and Store View for the test domain. Make sure you note down the Website Code because it will be used later.

Magento 2 multiple websites with different domains

Step 3: Open Magento Web Configuration

Navigate to:

Stores → Settings → Configuration → General → Web
Magento 2 multiple websites with different domains

Step 4: Select Test Website Configuration

Important: Select the newly created website from the store switcher at the top-left of the configuration page. Failing to select the correct website may affect the primary website configuration.

Choose the test website from the store configuration dropdown.

Step 5: Configure Base URLs

Configure both Base URL and Secure Base URL:

http://localhost/m248/test/

Save the configuration and clear cache if required.

Step 6: Create Test Website Directory

Create a new folder inside your Magento root directory.

magento_root/test

Step 7: Copy Required Magento Files

Copy the following files from Magento root: 

index.php
.htaccess

Paste both files into the newly created test directory.

Step 8: Modify index.php File

Replace the default bootstrap code with: 

ln -s /home/example/example.com/html/app/ app

ln -s /home/example/example.com/html/lib/ lib

ln -s /home/example/example.com/html/pub/ pub

ln -s /home/example/example.com/html/var/ var
Note: Replace Test with your actual Website Code configured in Magento Admin.

Step 9: Update Bootstrap Path

Replace: 

require __DIR__ . '/app/bootstrap.php';

With: 

require __DIR__ . '/../app/bootstrap.php';

Step 10: Configure Domain Mapping

Point the test domain document root to:

/var/www/html/test

Step 11: Create Symlinks

Run the following commands from the test directory: 

ln -s /home/example/example.com/html/app/ app

ln -s /home/example/example.com/html/lib/ lib

ln -s /home/example/example.com/html/pub/ pub

ln -s /home/example/example.com/html/var/ var

Step 12: Clear Cache 

php bin/magento cache:flush

Verify the Multi Website Setup

  • Open the primary website domain.
  • Open the test website domain.
  • Verify products and configurations.
  • Ensure SSL and static assets load correctly.
  • Check admin website configuration.

Conclusion

Magento 2's multi-website architecture makes it possible to run multiple websites with different domains from a single Magento installation. By configuring websites, stores, base URLs, server mappings, and symlinks correctly, you can efficiently manage multiple storefronts while maintaining a centralized Magento backend.

How to Create Multiple Websites in Magento 2 with Different Domains

Magento 2 provides a powerful multi-website architecture that allows merchants and developers to run multiple websites from a single Magento installation. Each website can have its own domain, products, pricing, customers, and store configurations while sharing the same Magento codebase.

In this tutorial, we will configure two separate websites:

http://localhost/m248/pub/
http://localhost/m248/test/

Step 1: Install Magento 2 and Configure Primary Website

Install Magento 2 normally and configure your primary website domain. Ensure the storefront and admin panel are working correctly before creating additional websites.

Step 2: Create Website, Store and Store View

Navigate to:

Stores → Settings → All Stores

Create a new Website, Store, and Store View for the test domain. Make sure you note down the Website Code because it will be used later.

Magento 2 multiple websites with different domains

Step 3: Open Magento Web Configuration

Navigate to:

Stores → Settings → Configuration → General → Web
Magento 2 multiple websites with different domains

Step 4: Select Test Website Configuration

Important: Select the newly created website from the store switcher at the top-left of the configuration page. Failing to select the correct website may affect the primary website configuration.

Choose the test website from the store configuration dropdown.

Step 5: Configure Base URLs

Configure both Base URL and Secure Base URL:

http://localhost/m248/test/

Save the configuration and clear cache if required.

Step 6: Create Test Website Directory

Create a new folder inside your Magento root directory.

magento_root/test

Step 7: Copy Required Magento Files

Copy the following files from Magento root: 

index.php
.htaccess

Paste both files into the newly created test directory.

Step 8: Modify index.php File

Replace the default bootstrap code with: 

$params = $_SERVER;

$params[\Magento\Store\Model\StoreManager::PARAM_RUN_CODE] = 'test';

$params[\Magento\Store\Model\StoreManager::PARAM_RUN_TYPE] = 'website';

$bootstrap = \Magento\Framework\App\Bootstrap::create(BP, $params);

$app = $bootstrap->createApplication('Magento\Framework\App\Http');

$bootstrap->run($app);
Note: Replace Test with your actual Website Code configured in Magento Admin.

Step 9: Update Bootstrap Path

Replace: 

require __DIR__ . '/app/bootstrap.php';

With: 

require __DIR__ . '/../app/bootstrap.php';

Step 10: Configure Domain Mapping

Point the test domain document root to:

/var/www/html/test

Step 11: Create Symlinks

Run the following commands from the test directory: 

ln -s /home/example/example.com/html/app/ app

ln -s /home/example/example.com/html/lib/ lib

ln -s /home/example/example.com/html/pub/ pub

ln -s /home/example/example.com/html/var/ var

Step 12: Clear Cache 

php bin/magento cache:flush

Verify the Multi Website Setup

  • Open the primary website domain.
  • Open the test website domain.
  • Verify products and configurations.
  • Ensure SSL and static assets load correctly.
  • Check admin website configuration.

Conclusion

Magento 2's multi-website architecture makes it possible to run multiple websites with different domains from a single Magento installation. By configuring websites, stores, base URLs, server mappings, and symlinks correctly, you can efficiently manage multiple storefronts while maintaining a centralized Magento backend.