How to get your website content from cpanel

To use cPanel to access your website content, you need to understand your hosting configuration and the options that come with cPanel. This manual will help you transfer or back up your website files and databases so that you can access your website content.

Understanding cPanel

cPanel is a reliable and user-friendly web host control panel that offers a graphical user interface and automation for managing a web hosting account. The application allows users to manage their websites, databases, accounts, and everything else with a friendly graphic interface.

Key Components

- File Manager: This feature lets you control your website files straight from your web browser.

- Backup Wizard: An instrument for generating backups of your complete account, encompassing files and databases.

- phpMyAdmin is essential for WordPress and other database-dependent websites. It is a tool for overseeing MySQL databases.

Steps to Retrieve Website Content

1. Log into cPanel

Begin by accessing your Cpanel account. This can be achieved by typing your domain. In the case of Linux-based hosting, you log in by visiting a URL provided by your hosting company, followed by your Cpanel login ID and password.

2. Accessing Your Website Files

Using File Manager

- Access the File Manager: Once you have successfully logged in, find the "File Manager" in the "Files" category.

- Go to public_html, the leading directory for all your website files. If your website is in a subdirectory, go directly to that folder.

- Locate Your Files: Here, you will find various files and folders that make up your website. For HTML websites, look for files conforming to the HTML or PHP. WordPress sites commonly include folders like wp-content, wp-admin, and wp-includes, among others.

- To access files: Point to the file or folder you want to download, right-click it, and then select "Download." This will store the files on your personal computer.

3. Retrieving Database Content

For instance, if you have a website that is created using a CMS platform like WordPress, all your content will be stored in a database. To access this:

Using phpMyAdmin

- Open phpMyAdmin: To access it, go to the cPanel => navigate to the "Databases" section, and click on the "phpMyAdmin" tool.

- Select Your Database: Select from the available databases by looking at the list on the sidebar on the left-hand side of the screen. Click on the database associated with your website.

- Export the Database: Once selected, click the "Export" tab at the top. Choose the export method (usually "Quick" is sufficient) and format (SQL is standard). Click "Go" to download the database file.

4. Creating a Backup

You should make a complete backup to guarantee you have all your content.

Backup Wizard: Find the "Backup Wizard" in cPanel within the "Files" category.

Choose "Full Backup" to back up all files and databases.

Get Backup: Follow the instructions to generate and download the backup file.

5. Using the Backup for Migration

If you are transferring to a different hosting platform or reconstructing your website:

Upload Files: Transfer all the files hosting your website through the file manager tool or FTP programs like FileZilla.

Import Database: After creating a new hosting account, go to the phpMyAdmin section, create a new database, and upload the SQL file that was exported before.

Update Configuration: Ensure all the necessary configuration files are updated as might be in the wp-config file. Php for WordPress, with the new database settings to conform with the more recent internet connection standards.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Missing Content: If your website content is not found, ensure you have exported both the files and the database. In dynamic websites such as WordPress, the information is saved in the database rather than just in the files.

Access Denied: If you encounter permission problems, review your user permissions or ask your cloud  hosting provider for help.

No Backup Found: If you cannot locate a backup, contact your former hosting provider for assistance in recovering your data.

Conclusion

Accessing website content from cPanel requires navigating files in File Manager, exporting the database with phpMyAdmin, and possibly making a complete backup for secure transfer. Knowing these tools will make the process more efficient, whether transferring your site to a new hosting provider or creating a backup. Always make sure to have backups of both files and databases to avoid losing data when making changes.