Need to get a backup of your website? Want to download it to your local machine and perhaps upload it to a new hosting provider? Fortunately, it’s a simple process that can be completed from within your web hosting control panel. Below are the steps required to do this.

Firstly, you will need to log in to your 1st Domains account and navigate to the web hosting control panel. Not sure how? See here for details. Once logged in, follow these easy instructions.

If your website uses a database, you will also want to create a backup of that first.

1. Once on the Websites & Domains page, click on Databases.
2. This should list the databases your website is using. You may need to click the small arrow to expand the section below the database name to view the available options.
3. Click on Export Dump.
4. You will be given the option to save the dump to a folder. From the options, select the httpdocs folder. You can also tick the checkbox to automatically download the dump once completed.
5. Click Export Dump at the bottom of the page.
6. Your backup will now be stored in the httpdocs folder and downloaded as well, if that option was selected.

Once the database backup is complete, or if your website does not use a database, click on Files in the left-hand menu.

1. Click on the httpdocs folder. This is the root folder for your website.
2. Tick the checkbox at the top of the file and folder list. This will select all files and folders within the httpdocs directory. Alternatively, you can select individual files and folders manually.
3. Once selected, click on the Archive drop-down menu at the top.
4. From the drop-down menu, select Add to Archive.
5. A popup window will appear asking you to name the new archive file. The archive will be saved as a ZIP file. Enter a file name of your choice.
6. Click OK.
7. The system will now create a ZIP archive containing all selected files and folders.

Once completed, the new archive file will appear in your httpdocs folder. To download it, click on the hamburger menu on the far right and then select Download. This will download the archive to your local machine.

From here, you can upload the file to your new hosting provider or keep it as a backup for future restores if required.