Thinking about leaving WordPress behind, or just starting fresh? Whether your website has outgrown its purpose or you simply want a clean slate, knowing how to delete WordPress is essential—but the process can seem daunting.
Deleting your site isn’t just about hitting a button; it involves careful steps to ensure your content and data are handled safely. This article will walk you through each stage, from preparation to final removal, offering tips and insights along the way.
Related Video
How to Delete a WordPress Site: The Complete Step-By-Step Guide
If you’ve ever wondered how to delete a WordPress site—whether you’re self-hosted (using WordPress.org) or have a site on WordPress.com—you’re not alone. Many bloggers, small business owners, and webmasters eventually need to remove an old site, clear out unused installs, or simply start over fresh. This comprehensive guide will walk you through every aspect of deleting a WordPress website, no matter your setup.
Understanding the Types of WordPress Sites
Before diving in, it’s important to clarify the two major WordPress site types:
- WordPress.com: A hosted platform where WordPress manages everything for you. Your site is on their infrastructure, often with a domain like yoursite.wordpress.com (though you can use a custom domain).
- Self-Hosted WordPress.org: You install WordPress on your own hosting account, bought from a company like Hostinger or SiteGround. You have full control over everything.
The process of deleting a site is slightly different for each, so we’ll cover both.
Why Might You Want to Delete Your WordPress Site?
Some of the most common reasons include:
- Moving your site to a new platform or domain.
- Starting over with a fresh installation.
- No longer needing a personal blog or project.
- Closing a business and wanting to remove its web presence.
- To increase privacy and remove personal data from the web.
- Cleaning up unused test or development websites.
Regardless of your situation, it’s important to delete your site properly for security and peace of mind.
Things to Do Before Deleting Your WordPress Site
Before you hit the delete button, take a moment to:
- Back Up Everything
Even if you don’t think you’ll need your content, it’s wise to create a full backup. Download your posts, images, plugins, themes, and database. This way, if you ever change your mind or need specific content, you won’t lose anything.
- Consider Redirects
If your site has traffic or backlinks, consider setting up a redirect to another page or website so visitors aren’t left stranded.
- Cancel Paid Services
Make sure to cancel any paid plugins, themes, or hosting plans associated with the site to avoid ongoing charges.
- Inform Your Audience
If you have regular visitors or a newsletter list, let them know what’s happening and where they can find you in the future (if relevant).
How to Delete a WordPress.Com Site
Deleting a site on WordPress.com is straightforward, but there’s no undo option. Here are the steps:
Step 1: Log in to Your WordPress.com Dashboard
- Go to your WordPress.com account and select the site you want to delete.
Step 2: Export Your Content (Optional, but Recommended)
- In the dashboard, find the “Tools” section.
- Choose “Export” and follow the prompts to download your posts, pages, and media.
Step 3: Access Manage Settings
- In the left sidebar, click on “Settings.”
- Scroll to the bottom of the Settings page.
Step 4: Delete Your Site Permanently
- Look for an option labeled “Delete your site permanently.”
- Click this and follow the on-screen instructions. WordPress.com will typically ask you to confirm the decision and give you a last chance to export your data.
Step 5: Confirm Your Choice
- You’ll be asked to re-enter your site address and maybe your password to confirm.
- After confirmation, your site and its data will be permanently deleted and CANNOT be recovered.
Important Reminders for WordPress.com Users
- Paid plans or domain registrations are NOT canceled automatically. You must cancel these individually, or you may still be billed.
- Deleting a site does not delete your main WordPress.com account, just the selected website.
How to Delete a Self-Hosted WordPress (WordPress.org) Site
The process is a bit more involved than with WordPress.com, as you have direct access to all your website files and database. Here’s what to do:
Step 1: Make a Backup
- Use a plugin such as UpdraftPlus or manually download your entire website files and export your database via tools like phpMyAdmin.
Step 2: Log in to Your Hosting Control Panel
- Most web hosts use cPanel, Plesk, or a custom dashboard.
- Access the “File Manager” or connect via FTP using a tool like FileZilla.
Step 3: Delete WordPress Files
- Navigate to the folder where WordPress is installed (often “public_html” or a subfolder).
- Select all files and delete them.
Step 4: Delete the Database
- In cPanel (or similar), go to “MySQL Databases.”
- Find the database used by your WordPress site and delete it. If unsure which database is correct, check the “wp-config.php” file before deletion.
Step 5: Remove Subdomains or Add-on Domains (If Applicable)
- If your site used a subdomain or secondary domain, remove it from your hosting control panel to free up space.
Step 6: Cancel Hosting (Optional)
- If you no longer need the hosting account, cancel your hosting plan so you won’t be billed in the future.
How to Delete Your WordPress.com Account (Entirely)
If you want to delete not just your site, but your entire WordPress.com account (including all sites and data):
- Log in to WordPress.com.
- Go to your Account Settings.
- Scroll to “Close your account permanently.”
- Follow on-screen instructions. You’ll lose access to all associated sites, comments, and any stored data.
Warning: This is irreversible. Only close your account if you’re sure.
Special Scenarios & Advanced Tips
How to Remove Your Site from Google and Search Engines
Even after deletion, some site data can linger in search results. To address this:
- Use the Google Search Console’s URL Removal Tool to ask Google to remove old links.
- Add a “noindex” tag to remaining pages (if the site is still live during the process).
- Delete the site’s sitemap in your search console account.
- For WordPress.com, deleting usually removes content from servers, but search engines may keep cached pages for a while.
Uninstalling WordPress from Your Host’s Auto-Installer
Many hosts provide an app installer (such as Softaculous or Fantastico). If you installed WordPress this way:
- Log in to your hosting dashboard.
- Go to the “Softaculous Apps Installer” or similar.
- Find your site in the list of installations.
- Click “Remove” or “Uninstall.”
This automates both file and database removal.
What About Subdomains and Subdirectories?
If your WordPress install was in a subdomain (blog.yoursite.com) or subdirectory (yoursite.com/blog), deleting is the same process. Just ensure you’re deleting the right files and databases.
Benefits of Deleting Your WordPress Site Properly
- Security: Leaving old, unused sites online can expose vulnerabilities.
- Clutter-Free: Maintains a tidy hosting environment and makes management easier.
- No Unnecessary Charges: Prevents being billed for resources you no longer use.
- Better Privacy: Eliminates old personal data and content from the web.
Challenges You Might Encounter
- Irrecoverable Data: Once deleted, regaining your content is difficult, if not impossible.
- Persistent Search Listings: It can take time for deleted sites to disappear from search engine results.
- Forgotten Paid Subscriptions: Neglecting to cancel related services can result in ongoing charges.
- Linked Accounts: Deleting a site may affect connected services like email, plugins, or mailing lists.
Best Practices and Practical Tips
- Always double-check which site or database you are deleting, especially if you manage multiple sites.
- Keep a dated backup in a safe location, just in case you need content later.
- If you plan to create a new site, consider exporting your users, posts, and media before deletion.
- Communicate transparently with your audience, if relevant.
- Review financial settings to prevent surprise charges.
Cost Tips
- Deleting your site reduces hosting costs and removes subscription renewals for unnecessary plugins or themes.
- If your domain is expiring, check if you can transfer or sell it, rather than let it lapse.
- Free WordPress.com sites don’t incur extra costs after deletion, but make sure to cancel paid upgrades.
Conclusion
Deleting a WordPress site is a big step, but it’s often necessary and can bring peace of mind. Whether you’re closing a chapter or simply cleaning up, following the correct procedure ensures your site is gone for good, your information is secure, and your finances are tidy. Take the time to backup, verify, and communicate, and you’ll enjoy a smooth process from start to finish.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I recover my WordPress site after I delete it?
Once you permanently delete your site (especially on WordPress.com), you cannot recover it. That’s why it’s crucial to make a complete backup before deleting anything.
2. What happens to my domain after I delete my WordPress.com site?
Your domain may not be deleted automatically. You can keep using it, transfer it elsewhere, or choose to cancel it. Make sure to manage your domain settings separately from your website.
3. Do I need to cancel my hosting plan separately when I delete a self-hosted WordPress site?
Yes, deleting your WordPress files and database does not cancel your hosting account. You need to contact your hosting provider or use their dashboard to stop ongoing charges.
4. How long will my deleted site’s pages appear in Google search results?
Deleted pages can stick around in search engine results for weeks or even months. You can speed things up by using Google Search Console’s URL removal tool and requesting removal.
5. Will deleting my WordPress.com account delete all my sites?
Yes, closing your WordPress.com account erases all sites, content, and personal information connected to that account. Be absolutely sure before taking this step, as it’s irreversible.
Taking the time to delete your WordPress site carefully ensures your digital footprint is fully under your control. If you ever have doubts or run into problems, refer to your platform’s support or seek professional help to avoid unintentional data loss.