How to Delete a Wix Site (and Restore It If You Need To)

Maybe it's an old test site, a project that never launched, or a business you've moved on from. Whatever the reason, Wix makes deleting a site straightforward, with a safety net in case you regret it. There's one roadblock that stops most people, though, and a couple of things to sort out before you hit delete. Here's the whole process.

Delete a Wix site step by step

1. Log in to Wix and go to the site's dashboard.
2. Click the More Actions icon.
3. Click Move to trash.
4. Click Move to Trash again to confirm.

Wix explains that deleting a site also unpublishes it, so it stops being available to visitors straight away.

Why the Move to trash option might be missing

This is the snag that catches almost everyone. Wix says it isn't possible to move a premium site to the trash. If your site has a Premium plan attached, you first need to cancel that plan or reassign it to another site in your account. Once the site no longer has a plan, the Move to trash option becomes available.

If you're not the site owner, you may also not see the option. Only people with the right permissions can delete a site, so ask the owner if you're a collaborator.

The 90-day safety net

Here's the reassuring part. Wix gives you 90 days to restore a site from Trash before it's permanently deleted. So if you delete the wrong site, or realise you need something from it, you have three months to get it back.

What happens	When
Site is unpublished and moved to Trash	Immediately
Site can be restored	Any time within 90 days
Site is permanently deleted	After 90 days in Trash

How to restore a deleted Wix site

1. Go to Sites in your Wix account.
2. Open the Trash folder.
3. Hover over the site and click Restore Site.
4. Click Restore to confirm.

Wix points out that restoring a site doesn't automatically publish it. Open the editor and click Publish to bring it back online.

Delete several Wix sites at once

1. Go to Sites in your Wix account.
2. Click the List icon at the top right.
3. Tick the boxes next to the sites you want to delete.
4. Click Move to Trash.

This is perfect for clearing out old test sites in one go.

Delete or just unpublish?

	Unpublish	Move to trash
Visitors can see the site	No, it shows as offline	No, it moves to Trash
You can still edit it	Yes	Only after restoring
Deleted forever eventually	No	Yes, after 90 days
Best for	Pausing or redesigning	Sites you'll never need again

If you might want the site again, unpublishing is the gentler choice. Wix says that after unpublishing, you still have access to the editor and can publish again at any time.

Sort out your domain and plan

Deleting a site doesn't automatically deal with your domain or plan. Wix notes that unpublishing doesn't cancel a domain or Premium plan, and that premium services stay in your account so you can assign them to another site. Decide what you want to do with each before you delete: move them to a new site, let them lapse, or cancel them in your account settings.

Before you delete, save what you need

• Download any images, documents or videos you want to keep.
• Copy any text you might reuse, such as your About page or blog posts.
• Export contacts or form submissions if your plan allows it.
• Make a note of your domain and any connected email.
• Tell anyone who links to the site that it's going away.

If you're deleting a Wix site because you're moving to another platform, plan the move carefully so you keep your search traffic. My website migration tips cover what to do, and my guide to Squarespace alternatives compares website builders if you're still choosing.

Want to hide it from Google instead?

If you just don't want people finding the site in search, you don't need to delete it. Wix lets you turn off the setting that lets search engines index your site from the SEO settings in your dashboard. The site stays live for anyone with the link, but drops out of search results over time.

If you're closing the business, not just the site

Deleting the website is only one part of winding things down online. Update or close your social profiles, your Google Business Profile and any directory listings that link to the site, otherwise people will keep landing on a dead page. If you've built up an email list, send a short goodbye message pointing people to wherever they can find you next. It's a kind way to finish, and it keeps your reputation intact for whatever you do next.

My verdict

Open the site dashboard, click More Actions, choose Move to trash and confirm. If the option isn't there, cancel or reassign the Premium plan first. Save anything you need beforehand, decide what happens to your domain, and remember you have 90 days to change your mind.

Frequently asked questions

How do I delete a Wix site?

Go to the site's dashboard, click More Actions, choose Move to trash and confirm.

Why can't I delete my Wix site?

Wix won't move a premium site to trash. Cancel or reassign the plan first.

Can I recover a deleted Wix site?

Yes, within 90 days. Open the Trash folder on your Sites page and click Restore Site.

Does deleting a Wix site cancel my domain?

No. Your domain and plan need dealing with separately in your account.

Is a restored Wix site live straight away?

No. Restoring doesn't publish it, so open the editor and click Publish.