If you no longer need a website on your hosting account, you can delete it through the hPanel dashboard. Deleting a website will remove its files, database, and configurations, freeing up server resources. Follow these steps carefully to ensure a complete and safe removal of your website.
Important: Backup Your Website First #
Before deleting a website, it is recommended to create a backup in case you need the data later.
How to Create a Backup: #
- Log in to your hPanel Dashboard at ozspeed.com.au.
- Go to Files > Backups.
- Click “Create New Backup” and wait for the process to complete.
- Download the backup file to your local computer.
Step 1: Remove the Website Files #
- Go to Files > File Manager in hPanel.
- Navigate to the public_html directory or the folder where your website files are stored (e.g., /public_html/yourwebsite).
- Select all files and folders related to the website.
- Click “Delete” to remove the files.
Tip: #
- Double-check the folder name before deleting to avoid accidentally removing files from another website.
Step 2: Delete the Database #
If your website uses a database (e.g., WordPress, Joomla), you need to delete the associated database as well.
How to Delete a Database: #
- Go to Databases > MySQL Databases in hPanel.
- Find the database associated with the website you want to delete.
- Click “Delete” next to the database name.
- Confirm the deletion when prompted.
Tip: #
- Make a note of the database name before deleting, as it may be needed for backup restoration.
Step 3: Remove the Domain from Your Hosting Account #
If the website you are deleting is linked to a specific domain, you should remove the domain from your hosting account.
How to Remove a Domain: #
- Go to Domains > Add-On Domains or Subdomains (depending on your setup).
- Click “Delete” next to the domain you want to remove.
- Confirm the action to remove the domain from your account.
Tip: #
- Removing the domain does not affect the domain registration. It only removes it from the current hosting plan.
Step 4: Delete Email Accounts (Optional) #
If your website had associated email accounts (e.g., info@yourwebsite.com), you may want to delete these as well.
How to Delete Email Accounts: #
- Go to Email > Email Accounts in hPanel.
- Find the email account associated with the website domain.
- Click “Delete” next to the email address.
- Confirm the deletion.
Tip: #
- Ensure you have downloaded any important emails before deleting the account.
Step 5: Clear DNS Settings #
If you are no longer using the domain, you should update or delete the DNS records.
How to Clear DNS Records: #
- Go to Domains > DNS Zone Editor in hPanel.
- Find the records associated with the website’s domain (e.g., A record, CNAME).
- Click “Delete” next to each record or update them if you plan to point the domain to a new hosting provider.
Tip: #
- Allow up to 24-48 hours for DNS changes to propagate.
Step 6: Verify the Deletion #
- Open a browser and enter the website URL.
- You should see a “Website Not Found” or “403 Forbidden” error, indicating the site has been successfully removed.
Additional Verification: #
- Use online tools like WhatsMyDNS.net to check if the domain’s DNS settings have been updated.
What If You Want to Reuse the Domain? #
If you plan to use the domain for a new website, you can leave the domain registered and simply point it to a new directory or hosting account.
How to Reuse the Domain: #
- Go to Domains > Add New Domain in hPanel.
- Add the domain and configure it for your new website setup.
Summary: #
- Backup First: Always create a backup before deleting a website.
- Delete Files and Database: Remove the website files and delete the associated database.
- Remove Domain: Delete the domain from your hosting plan if it’s no longer needed.
- Check DNS Settings: Clear or update the DNS records to avoid conflicts.
- Verify Deletion: Test the domain URL to ensure the website is no longer accessible.
