You need to export the database if you are moving your website to a new hosting provider. The export includes all the content and configuration information stored on your site. This is especially relevant if you are using WordPress, Joomla, or any CMS (Content Management System) to manage your website.

1. Log into your 1st Domains account at https://www.1stdomains.co.nz/client/login.php
2. Navigate to the Web Hosting Control Panel (Manage Domains & Services -> your domain name-> Web Hosting Control Panel).
3. The Web Hosting Control Panel will open in a new window (if it does not open, please turn off pop-up blocking in the web browser).
4. Click on 'Databases' and select the database you wish to export the data from.
5. Click on 'Export Dump'
6. It will then give you the option to save the dump onto the server or you can select "Automatically download dump after creation"
7. Click on OK. You should see a progress window at the bottom right hand corner of the export in progress.
8. Once completed you should see the success notification at the bottom right hand corner. If you selected the download option, it will also appear in your downloads folder on your local machine, or you can click on the download link in the success message.

You can also use phpMyAdmin to do the export as well. From steps 4 above follow the steps below.

1. In phpMyAdmin, Click on the 'Export' tab at the top of the page.
2. Leave the Export template and Export method the same as the default settings. The Export method is for the more advanced user.
3. Under Format, select SQL. This should be the default selection.
4. Click 'Export' to start the process.
5. Once completed it will automatically download the sql dump to your local machine. Check you downloads folder.