Introduction to How To Delete WordPress Account Permanently?
WordPress is heaven for website owners and especially for bloggers. While a vast majority of webmasters use WordPress, some people just want to delete WordPress account or move to another CMS for good. Though the features of WordPress are highly commendable, we understand that sometimes it doesn’t go with your requirements. In our today’s article, we will walk you through the guide on how to delete a WordPress account permanently without losing any critical data. In this guide, we will also discuss the forethoughts you should take while attempting to remove WordPress blog or website.
Before we proceed, we’d like to apprise that WordPress comes in two different types. The most popular one is WordPress.org which is a feature-rich platform for WordPress. It means that you will have full control of it. The second type is WordPress.com which has some limitations but ideal for bloggers and non-commercial purposes. Our guide will help you to delete a WordPress website from no matter which of the type installed.
4 Solutions To Delete WordPress Account Permanently;
There are multiple ways to remove a WordPress account permanently. In our guide, you will find all the possible solutions related to each platform. Feel free to jump over the section that is more suited to you, or continue reading to master the art of deleting a WordPress site.
- Deleting a WordPress Blog
- Deleting a Self-Hosted WordPress website via cPanel
- Deleting a Self-Hosted WordPress website manually
- Optional: Remove WordPress Database
No matter what method you prefer to use to delete a WordPress blog, it is advisable to always keep a backup of your content and other essential information.
Importance of Backing up Data:
Even if you are deleting your WP site, it is strongly advisable to keep a copy of your data. This will come in real handy if in case you’d want to revert your decision in the future. You can simply restore the backup of your website at a later point, so keeping a copy is always a good practice. The process is easy, but can’t be done in a single click.
Backing up data is a crucial aspect of any digital activity, and it becomes even more essential when dealing with critical data. One such scenario is when deleting a WordPress account, where it's imperative to back up all necessary data before taking the final step.
There are several reasons why backing up data is crucial. Firstly, it provides a safety net in case of unexpected data loss due to hardware failure, malware, or any other unforeseen events. Secondly, it allows for data recovery in case of accidental deletion or data corruption. Thirdly, it enables data transfer to a new system or service provider.
Not backing up data can have severe consequences, ranging from minor inconvenience to significant loss of time, effort, and even financial resources. Losing essential data can impact business operations, damage reputation, and result in lost revenue. In some cases, it may even lead to legal and regulatory issues, especially in industries such as healthcare and finance.
To ensure that backups are complete and secure, it's essential to follow best practices. Firstly, choose a reliable backup solution that meets your needs and budget. Secondly, perform regular backups, preferably on a schedule, to avoid data loss or corruption. Thirdly, store backups in a secure location, either on-premises or off-site, to prevent unauthorized access and data breaches. Finally, test your backups regularly to ensure that they can be used for data recovery if needed.
How to take backup of your website?
To create a backup of your WordPress website, you need to navigate to Tools » Export in the WP dashboard. From all the available options, select ‘All Content’ and click on ‘Download Export File.’ This will export all your pages, posts, tags, categories and comments data stored in your WordPress website. Unfortunately, this action will not backup and export your media files. To make a copy of your media uploads also, navigate to ’Media’ and download all your files manually.
How To Delete A WordPress Blog Via WP Dashboard
In case you have a website yoursite.wordpress.com – then you’d need to go the dashboard of the website to delete your WordPress account.
Once you have exported the website’s data, the next step is to delete your WordPress site from the dashboard. To do so, you need to click on ‘Delete Site’ option which can be found in Tools section of the WP admin.
Once you proceed, it will prompt a screen where you will be asked to provide a valid reason to delete WordPress blog. Click on ‘Another Reason’ from the options and continue. Once you click on it, you will be asked to confirm if all the data has been exported. The popup will also show that the following action will result in loss of all your data on the website, which will not be available to access once the website is deleted. Next is to click on the checkbox and hit the ‘Delete Now’ button.
For security purposes, WordPress will send you a confirmation email to make sure that the owner of the website has requested to delete the WP site. Click on the verification link you received in the email and finish the job.
How To Delete WordPress Account With Custom Domains
Deleting a WordPress site is not easy if you have purchased a domain from WordPress. Apparently, you can’t remove a WordPress blog if it is on a custom domain. Your website should be in active status to access the domain manager. To accomplish this task, either you have to move the domain to a different registrar or make your WordPress.com site private.
- Moving your domain to a different registrar will take a few days. You will find the instruction manual of each registrar on their website.
- To make your WordPress.com blog private, go to Dashboard » Settings » Reading. Once you are in the page, scroll down to the ‘Site Visibility’ section and make your domain private by clicking on ‘I want to make my site private…’
The above step will not delete your WordPress.com blog. However, it will not be publicly accessible. You can only delete the blog once the domain registration expires. Do make sure that your domain is not set for auto-renewal; otherwise, your WordPress.com blog will not be removed.
Deleting a Self-Hosted WordPress Site via cPanel
With WordPress.org you get to enjoy full freedom and unrestricted access to the website, hence making it a lot better option. When it comes to deleting self-hosted WordPress website, the process doesn’t require any complicated steps to follow. Read on below and permanently delete your WordPress.org website via cPanel.
Step 1: Take a backup of your WordPress.org website
It is imperative always to create a backup of your website even if you have no plans to restore the website at anytime soon. We recommend our readers to make a complete backup of your website before proceeding to delete WordPress website. In case you want to migrate the website, check out our recommendation of best WordPress migration plugins that can do the job efficiently.
Step 2: How to Delete WordPress Account with cPanel
The next step is to delete the files from your cPanel. To do so, log in to the cPanel dashboard of your web hosting and look for ‘File Manager.’ Next is to find the root directory of your website and delete all the available files and folders. Phew! That is all it takes to delete WordPress account by using cPanel.
Deleting a Self-Hosted WordPress Site via Console Command
If your website was installed manually on the server, then you can delete the WordPress blog manually via console command also. In this method, the command will remove the website by removing the main WordPress directory from the root. To execute the process, use the command below to remove your WordPress account.
[php] $ ssh [email protected]## Switch to your webroot directory
$ cd /var/www
## Remove the entire WordPress directory (in this case /blog)
$ rm -r blog
[/php]
Deleting a Self-Hosted WordPress Site via FTP
Another simple way to delete a WordPress website is to use SFTP client. Use the following steps to delete WordPress account through FTP client permanently.
- Open your SFTP client and enter login details
- Locate WordPress directory
- Right-click on the directory and select the ‘Delete’ option. You can alternatively select the directory using CTRL key and then hit the DELETE key to remove your WP account.
How to Remove or Clean Website’s Database
You can additionally remove your site’s database to leave no prints on the server. This can be done either by using PHPMyAdmin or with the help of MySQL command prompt.
How to Remove Database with PHPMyAdmin
You can easily remove WordPress MySQL database by using PHPMyAdmin.
- From your web hosting server panel, open the PHPMyAdmin tool
- Click on the ‘wordpress’ database
- Navigate to ‘Operations’ tab and click on ‘Remove database’
How to Remove Database with mysql Command
You can also remove WordPress database by using MySQL command. Copy the below command and change the username and password as needed.
[php] $ mysql -h HOST -u USERNAME -pPASSWORD -D wordpress$ DROP wordpress
[/php]
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Deleting a WordPress Account:
When deleting a WordPress account, it's important to proceed with caution and avoid common mistakes that could have serious consequences. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
- Not backing up data: One of the biggest mistakes users make when deleting a WordPress account is failing to back up their data beforehand. If you don't have a backup, you could lose all your content and data permanently. It's important to take the time to create a backup of your website before you delete your account.
- Failing to cancel subscriptions or domain registrations: If you have subscriptions or domain registrations associated with your WordPress account, make sure to cancel them before deleting your account. Failing to cancel these can result in ongoing charges or the loss of your domain.
- Not following the correct deletion procedures: It's important to follow the correct deletion procedures when deleting your WordPress account. If you don't, you could leave your website open to security risks or other issues. Make sure to follow the steps outlined by WordPress to delete your account correctly.
- Deleting your account without considering alternatives: Before deleting your WordPress account, consider if there are any alternatives that would better suit your needs. For example, you may want to migrate to a different hosting provider or CMS, take a break from blogging, or simply archive your site for future use.
By avoiding these common mistakes, you can ensure that the process of deleting your WordPress account goes smoothly and without any negative consequences.
Troubleshooting Common Issues when Deleting a WordPress Account:
Even if you take all the necessary precautions when deleting a WordPress account, you may still encounter some issues along the way. Here are some common problems that users might face and some possible solutions:
- Difficulty accessing the dashboard: If you're having trouble logging into your account or accessing the dashboard, try resetting your password or contacting customer support. You may also want to clear your browser cache or try accessing the site from a different browser or device.
- Error messages during deletion: If you receive an error message when trying to delete your account, make sure you've followed all the necessary steps and double-check that you've cancelled any subscriptions or domain registrations associated with your account. If you're still having trouble, contact customer support for assistance.
- Issues with domain transfers: If you're transferring your domain to a new registrar, make sure you've unlocked the domain and obtained an authorization code from your current registrar. You may also need to wait up to 7 days for the transfer to complete. If you're still having trouble, contact customer support for assistance.
- Problems with backups: If you're having trouble creating or accessing backups, make sure you're using a reliable backup plugin or service and that your backups are stored securely. You may also want to test your backups periodically to ensure they're complete and functional.
By being aware of these potential issues and taking steps to address them, you can ensure a smooth and stress-free process when deleting your WordPress account.
Alternatives to Deleting a WordPress Account :
When it comes to managing a WordPress website, deleting an account may not always be the best course of action. Fortunately, there are a number of alternatives that can be considered before taking such a drastic step.
One alternative is to migrate your website to a different hosting provider or content management system (CMS). There are a variety of reasons why you might want to do this, such as needing more control over your site or finding a better deal on hosting. By moving your site, you can avoid the need to delete it altogether and instead continue building on the work you've already done.
Another option is to take a break from blogging or managing your site. This can be especially helpful if you're feeling burned out or overwhelmed, or if you need to focus on other priorities for a period of time. Rather than deleting your site and all the content you've created, you can simply put it on hold until you're ready to return to it.
Archiving your site is yet another alternative to deleting it. This involves saving all of your website's files and data so that you can access it again in the future if needed. Archiving is a good option if you're not sure whether you'll want to return to your site at some point down the line. By preserving your work, you'll have the option to come back to it if you change your mind.
Conclusion
In conclusion, deleting a WordPress account can be a difficult decision to make, but it is important to ensure that the process is carried out correctly to avoid any negative consequences. By following the steps outlined in this article, users can delete their account permanently while minimizing the risk of data loss or other issues.
It is also important to consider alternatives to deleting an account, such as migrating to a different hosting provider or CMS, taking a break from blogging, or archiving the site for future use.
When deleting an account, it is crucial to avoid common mistakes such as failing to back up data, not canceling subscriptions or domain registrations, or not following the correct deletion procedures. Troubleshooting common issues such as difficulty accessing the dashboard or issues with domain transfers can also be helpful.
Overall, by understanding the potential consequences of deleting a WordPress account and following the proper steps, users can ensure a smooth and secure deletion process.
FAQ
Can I recover my WordPress account after I delete it?
No, once you delete your WordPress account, it cannot be recovered. Make sure you have backed up all important data before deleting your account.
What happens to my domain name when I delete my WordPress account?
If you registered your domain through WordPress, you will need to transfer it to a new registrar before deleting your account. If you do not transfer the domain, it will be deleted along with your account.
Will my subscriptions be canceled automatically when I delete my WordPress account?
No, you will need to cancel all subscriptions associated with your account manually before deleting it.
Can I delete a WordPress account without affecting my other accounts?
Yes, deleting a WordPress account will only affect the specific account you are deleting. Your other accounts will remain unaffected.
Is it possible to pause my WordPress account instead of deleting it?
Yes, you can simply stop using your WordPress account and let it remain inactive. Alternatively, you can archive your site for future use or migrate it to a different platform. Deleting your account should only be done if you are sure you no longer need it.
That's all for now:
If you've read all the way through this article, we are thankful. We hope the above methods help you in deleting WordPress website permanently. It is to be noted that when you delete a site, it still stays on the web for some time as the search engine (Google) typically creates a cache of each website that takes some time to disappear from the Internet completely.
If you think we have missed any important part here, feel free to drop a comment below to help us understand what convinced you to use WordPress as a CMS. We have a large collection of articles, guides, and comparison reviews of eCommerce solutions, web hosting providers, website builders, and more! Feel free to check them out;
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