How to Delete a Site in Webflow: Complete Guide

Old projects pile up fast. Test sites, client drafts, abandoned experiments. They clutter your workspace and make finding active projects harder.

Learning how to delete a site in Webflow keeps your dashboard organized and your workflow efficient.

The process takes under 5 minutes. But there is a catch.

Webflow replaced the direct delete function with an archive system. Permanent removal now requires an extra step through Webflow Support.

This guide walks you through the complete process: accessing site settings, archiving projects, requesting permanent deletion, and troubleshooting common permission issues.

You will also learn what happens to your custom domain and hosting plan after removal.

What Does Deleting a Site in Webflow Mean?

Deleting a site in Webflow is the process of permanently removing a website project from your Webflow dashboard.

This action erases all associated data, including pages, CMS content, custom code, and design elements.

Users need this when cleaning up old projects, removing test sites, or freeing up workspace slots.

Maybe you built a staging site that served its purpose. Or you have leftover projects from when you were learning the platform.

This guide covers 4 main steps requiring approximately 5 minutes and Owner or Admin permissions on the site you want to remove.

Before proceeding, understand that site deletion is irreversible. Once confirmed, you cannot restore the project through any recovery options.

Prerequisites

Before you archive or delete a Webflow project, confirm you have these requirements in place:

• Webflow account (Free, Starter, or paid Workspace plan)
• Owner or Admin role for the specific site
• Access to dashboard.webflow.com
• Time estimate: 3 to 5 minutes
• Backup of site files if needed (HTML, CSS, images)
• Active site plans cancelled (for paid hosting)

If you need to preserve your work, export your site files first. Webflow allows you to download HTML, CSS, and media assets before permanent deletion.

For sites with custom domains, disconnect them from your Webflow hosting settings beforehand.

Step One: How Do You Access Your Webflow Dashboard?

Log in to your Webflow account at webflow.com and click the Dashboard link in the top navigation bar. Your dashboard displays all sites within your current workspace as thumbnail cards with project names underneath.

Action

1. Navigate to: webflow.com > Log In > Dashboard
2. Locate: Your target site’s thumbnail card
3. Verify: You see the correct workspace name in the top left corner

Purpose

The dashboard is your central hub for Webflow site management. All deletion and archive functions start here.

If you manage multiple workspaces, double-check you are in the correct one before proceeding.

Step Two: Where Do You Find the Site Deletion Options?

Click the three-dot menu icon below your site’s thumbnail to reveal the dropdown options. Select “Settings” to open the Site Settings panel, then scroll to the bottom section labeled “Danger Zone” where archive and delete controls are located.

Action

1. Click: Three-dot menu (vertical ellipsis) under site thumbnail
2. Select: “Settings” from the dropdown menu
3. Scroll to: Bottom of page > “Danger Zone” section

Purpose

Webflow intentionally places deletion options in a separate area to prevent accidental removal.

The Danger Zone section contains irreversible actions. Take a moment to confirm you selected the right project.

Step Three: How Do You Archive a Site in Webflow?

In the Danger Zone section, click the “Archive” button to begin the removal process. A confirmation modal appears asking you to type the exact site name. Enter the name precisely as shown and click “Archive site” to complete the action.

Action

1. Click: “Archive” button in Danger Zone
2. Type: Your exact site name in the confirmation field
3. Click: “Archive site” to confirm
4. Result: Site removed from dashboard immediately

Purpose

Webflow replaced the direct “Delete” function with “Archive” as the default action.

Archiving removes the site from your active dashboard but keeps it stored on Webflow servers. For permanent site deletion, you need to contact Webflow Support after archiving.

If you change your mind before archiving, consider whether you might want to transfer the site to another account instead of removing it entirely.

Step Four: How Do You Permanently Delete an Archived Site?

After archiving, visit the Webflow Support Portal to request permanent deletion. Submit a support ticket with your project name, associated domain, and account email. Webflow’s team processes these requests manually within 3-5 business days.

Action

1. Navigate to: support.webflow.com
2. Submit: Support ticket requesting permanent site deletion
3. Include: Project name, custom domain (if any), read-only link, account email
4. Wait: 3-5 business days for confirmation

Purpose

Webflow requires support intervention for permanent data removal as a safeguard against accidental deletion.

Archived sites remain on Webflow servers until this manual process completes.

Verification

After archiving, the site thumbnail disappears from your Webflow dashboard immediately.

Check your workspace to confirm the project no longer appears in your active sites list.

For permanent deletion requests, Webflow sends an email confirmation once the process completes.

What Happens to Your Custom Domain

Your domain disconnects from Webflow hosting automatically. DNS records pointing to Webflow become inactive.

You can reassign the domain to a new project or transfer it to another registrar.

Timeline for Permanent Deletion

• Archive action: Immediate removal from dashboard
• Support ticket response: 24-48 hours
• Permanent deletion: 3-5 business days after approval

Troubleshooting

Cannot Find the Archive Option in the Menu

Issue: The three-dot menu does not show “Settings” or archive controls.

Solution: Verify your account role. Only Owner and Admin roles can access deletion settings. Contact your workspace Owner to request elevated permissions or ask them to archive the site.

Site Has an Active Paid Plan Blocking Deletion

Issue: Webflow prevents archiving sites with active site plan subscriptions.

Solution: Go to Site Settings > Billing > Cancel Plan. Wait for the billing cycle to end, then retry the archive process. Alternatively, downgrade to the free Starter plan first.

You Are Not the Owner or Admin of the Site

Issue: Your account lacks permissions to modify or delete the project.

Solution: Request the current Owner to either delete the site or transfer ownership to your account. Workspace members with “Can Edit” access cannot archive sites.

Archived Site Still Appears in Some Views

Issue: The site shows in filtered views or search results after archiving.

Solution: Clear your browser cache and refresh the dashboard. Archived sites may take a few minutes to fully disappear from all workspace views.

Alternative Methods

Method A: Archive via Dashboard (Temporary Removal)

• Time: 2 minutes
• Steps: 3 clicks plus confirmation
• Best for: Quick cleanup with possible future recovery
• Limitation: Site data remains on Webflow servers

Method B: Permanent Delete via Support (Full Removal)

• Time: 3-5 business days
• Steps: Archive first, then submit support ticket
• Best for: Complete and irreversible data erasure
• Limitation: Requires waiting for manual processing

Choose Method A when you might need the site again. Choose Method B when you need guaranteed permanent site removal from all Webflow systems.

Related Processes

Before deleting, you might want to preserve your work or explore other options:

• Duplicate specific pages to save designs before removal
• Hide pages instead of deleting entire sites
• Set up 301 redirects to preserve SEO value when removing pages
• Add Google Analytics to track site performance before deciding to delete

If you are building a replacement site, consider starting with Webflow templates to speed up development.

For sites with active blogs, export your CMS content before archiving. Learn how blogs work in Webflow to understand what data you need to preserve.

FAQ on How To Delete A Site In Webflow

Can I recover a deleted Webflow site?

No. Once you archive and permanently delete a site through Webflow Support, recovery is impossible. The action erases all project data from Webflow servers. Always export your HTML, CSS, and media files before confirming deletion.

What happens to my custom domain after deleting a Webflow site?

Your domain disconnects from Webflow hosting automatically. DNS records become inactive. You retain ownership of the domain through your registrar and can reassign it to a new project or transfer it elsewhere.

Do I need to cancel my site plan before deleting?

Yes. Webflow blocks archiving for sites with active paid hosting plans. Navigate to Site Settings > Billing > Cancel Plan first. Wait for the current billing cycle to end, then proceed with the archive process.

What is the difference between archiving and deleting in Webflow?

Archiving removes the site from your dashboard but keeps data on Webflow servers. Permanent deletion requires contacting Webflow Support after archiving. Choose archiving for temporary removal; choose deletion for complete data erasure.

Why can’t I find the delete option in my Webflow dashboard?

Only Owner and Admin roles can access deletion controls. Check your account permissions in workspace settings. If you lack access, request the workspace Owner to either archive the site or elevate your role.

How long does permanent site deletion take?

Archiving happens instantly. Permanent deletion through Webflow Support takes 3-5 business days after submitting your request. You receive an email confirmation once the process completes and all data is erased.

Can I delete just one page instead of the entire site?

Yes. Open the Webflow Designer, access the Pages panel, click the gear icon next to your target page, and select Delete. This removes individual pages without affecting the rest of your site structure.

What information do I need to request permanent deletion?

Submit your project name, associated custom domain, account email, and a read-only link to the Webflow Support Portal. Include your workspace name if you manage multiple workspaces to speed up processing.

Will deleting a site affect my other Webflow projects?

No. Each Webflow project operates independently within your workspace. Deleting one site does not impact other projects, their domains, or their hosting plans. Your account settings and billing information remain unchanged.

Can I undo an archive action in Webflow?

Webflow does not offer a built-in undo function for archived sites. Once archived, contact Webflow Support immediately if you need restoration. Act quickly before permanent deletion processing begins.

Conclusion

Knowing how to delete a site in Webflow gives you full control over your workspace organization.

The process involves accessing the Danger Zone in your project settings, confirming the archive action, and optionally requesting permanent site removal through support.

Always back up your files before proceeding. Check your billing settings and cancel active subscriptions first.

Verify you have Owner or Admin permissions. Without them, the archive function stays hidden.

Once archived, the site disappears from your dashboard immediately. Permanent deletion takes a few extra days.

Keep your Webflow workspace clean. Remove test projects regularly. A clutter-free dashboard makes managing active sites faster and less frustrating.

Now you have the steps. Time to clean house.