So I have an old Wordpress site that I haven’t had the heart to get rid of but I’m feeling this is the year to do so as I’ve been paying monthly and I’m just wasting money.
I want all the possible backups to save on my laptop as I don’t want to lose the content. I went to tools > export all content and saved the .xml file.
Is there anything else I should do? Would backing up the site be beneficial as well?
-----
Install a static site generator plugin. It should generate all of the pages on your site as straight html files. Take that directory and create a repository on Github. You can then host the static files from Github so you can still access the content anytime. Forget what it's called but it's like Github pages or something
That's a very common situation many WordPress site owners face when maintaining older sites that no longer serve their original purpose but still contain valuable content. The decision to remove a blog while preserving its content shows good planning, especially when monthly hosting costs are adding up without providing real value. Exporting the XML file through WordPress Tools is definitely the right first step for content preservation, but there are several other important considerations before pulling the plug completely.
Essential Pre-Deletion Checklist for Your WordPress Site
Before deleting your WordPress site entirely, it's crucial to understand that the XML export only covers your posts, pages, comments, and basic content structure. This export doesn't include your theme files, plugin configurations, or media library attachments at full resolution. A complete backup strategy should include both the XML export for content and a full site backup that captures everything. Many hosting providers offer one-click backup solutions that can save your entire site as a compressed file, which provides much more comprehensive protection than the XML file alone.
When planning your site's preservation, consider the visual elements you've carefully crafted over time. Your theme customization, including specific font size adjustments you might have made for readability, won't be preserved in the basic XML export. These design elements represent significant time investment and contribute to your site's unique identity. A full backup ensures you retain these visual customizations should you ever want to reference them for future projects or restore the site's exact appearance.
Another important aspect to document is your SEO work. If you've optimized your content over the years, you'll want to preserve those efforts. This includes any specific techniques you used for WordPress page title optimization that helped your content rank well in search results. These SEO elements represent valuable intellectual property that could inform future web projects, even if the current site is being retired.
Don't forget about your most popular or important content either. Many bloggers use the sticky post feature in WordPress to highlight key articles on their homepage. Make sure you note which posts were stickied so you can replicate this emphasis if you ever recreate the content elsewhere. This information helps preserve the content hierarchy you intentionally established for your readers.
How to Create a Static Version of Your WordPress Site
The suggestion to use a static site generator plugin is excellent advice for preserving your WordPress content in an accessible, cost-effective format. These plugins convert your dynamic WordPress site into static HTML files that can be hosted virtually anywhere, including GitHub Pages as mentioned. This approach lets you maintain access to all your content without ongoing hosting costs.
First, install a static site generator plugin like Simply Static or WP Static HTML Output. After activation, configure the plugin to export your entire site. The process typically involves specifying export settings and then initiating the generation process. The plugin will crawl your site and create a folder containing all your pages as individual HTML files along with associated assets like images, CSS, and JavaScript.
Once the static site generation completes, you'll have a complete snapshot of your website as it currently exists. This includes all your formatted content, images, and basic styling. You can then upload this folder to GitHub and use GitHub Pages to host it permanently for free. This solution preserves both your content and its presentation without monthly hosting fees.
What's the difference between XML export and full backup?
An XML export from WordPress Tools primarily contains your content structure—posts, pages, comments, categories, and tags—in a standardized format that can be imported into other WordPress installations. However, it doesn't include your theme files, plugin settings, or full-resolution media files. A full backup captures your entire site including database, all files, and configurations, providing complete restoration capability.
The XML file is ideal for content migration between WordPress sites, while a full backup serves as a complete snapshot for restoration purposes. For comprehensive preservation, both approaches have merit. The XML ensures your content remains portable between systems, while the full backup preserves your site's exact state including any customizations you've implemented over time.
Can I keep my WordPress site without paying for hosting?
Yes, the static site approach mentioned earlier is an excellent way to maintain access to your WordPress content without ongoing hosting costs. After generating static HTML files from your WordPress site using a plugin, you can host these files on free services like GitHub Pages, Netlify, or Cloudflare Pages. These platforms serve static content reliably without charging monthly fees, though they lack WordPress's dynamic functionality like comments or forms.
| Preservation Method | Content Preserved | Cost | Accessibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| XML Export | Basic content structure | Free | WordPress import only |
| Full Backup | Complete site snapshot | Varies | Full restoration |
| Static Site | Formatted content & design | Free hosting | Web browser access |
How long should I keep backups before deleting my site?
It's recommended to maintain multiple backup copies for at least several months after deleting your live WordPress site. Store backups in different locations—such as your laptop, external hard drive, and cloud storage—to protect against data loss. Before completely discarding backups, verify that your static site version functions correctly and that you've successfully exported all content you might need for future reference. This precaution ensures you don't lose important content due to rushed deletion.
What about images and media files from my WordPress site?
Your media library requires special attention during the preservation process. While the XML export contains references to your images, it doesn't include the actual image files. The static site generator approach does preserve your images by embedding them in the generated HTML structure. For additional security, manually download your entire wp-content/uploads folder from your hosting file manager, which contains all your original, full-resolution media files organized by date.
Professional WordPress Services at WPutopia
If you're considering future WordPress projects or need assistance with site migration and preservation, WPutopia offers comprehensive WordPress services tailored to your needs. Our team specializes in WordPress maintenance, theme upgrades, plugin installation, and custom development to ensure your WordPress experience remains smooth and efficient. We understand the importance of preserving your digital content while optimizing costs.
Whether you're launching a new WordPress site or maintaining an existing one, our services include performance optimization, security hardening, and backup strategy implementation. We help clients make informed decisions about their WordPress presence, including when to transition to static hosting for archival purposes. Contact WPutopia today to discuss how we can support your WordPress goals with professional, reliable service.
