How to Restore Your Old, Deleted or Expired Website

Introduction

Welcome to WaybackRestorer! This step-by-step guide will show you how to recover an old or deleted website using archived snapshots from the Wayback Machine. Whether your site was taken down years ago, or you’re looking to retrieve a version for SEO or nostalgia, WaybackRestorer simplifies the process.

Below, you’ll find everything from basic snapshot selection to advanced techniques like extracting additional resources and fixing URLs. Let’s dive in!

Basic Restore Video
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Basic Restore Explained
Quick Tutorial Video
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Quick Tutorial & Snapshot Tips
Advanced Restore Video
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Advanced Restoration & SEO Techniques

Step 1: Enter Your Domain Name

On your Dashboard (or the Restore Domain form), enter the URL of the website you want to recover, e.g. yourawesomewebsite.com.

  • Type only the root domain (no /path or query strings).
  • Decide between the www or non-www version—you can change later.
Note: If you see “Domain Restricted,” it may be adult content or very large—contact support or try another domain.

Step 2: View Available Snapshots

After clicking Submit, snapshots will load from the Wayback Machine. You’ll see:

  • Date & Time: When the snapshot was taken.
  • Screenshot URL: Link to archived version.
  • Fetch Screenshot: Preview content for usability.

Scroll or click Fetch Screenshots multiple times for a large list.

Step 3: Identify the TO Date

The TO Date is the most recent fully-functional snapshot. Preview with Fetch Screenshot. If it’s broken, try an older one.

Click To to lock it in (row highlights green).

Step 4: Identify the FROM Date

The FROM Date is the earliest files/images you need—often up to 1 year before TO Date.

Click From to lock it in (row highlights yellow).

Step 5: Confirm www vs. non-www

Choose your domain version (www.yoursite.com or yoursite.com) for link rewriting.

Step 6: Save the Restore Job

Click Save Restore Job. In My Jobs you’ll see it pending—hit Start Restore to begin.

Tip: Delete and recreate anytime if dates were wrong.

Step 7: Basic vs. Advanced Restoration

After basic restore, you can download a ZIP. For a full restore, run:

  1. Extract URLs: Gather all links.
  2. Download External: Pull external resources.
  3. Download Missing: Grab any Wayback-missed files.
  4. Fix URLs: Rewrite links to your domain version.

Step 8: Download & Host Your Website

  • Click Download Zip when complete.
  • Extract into public_html or hosting root—point DNS and go live.

Step 9: SEO & Monetization

  1. Fix SEO: If you purchased, titles/meta auto-optimize.
  2. Insert Ads: Embed placeholders, then drop in ad codes.

Step 10: (Optional) Convert to WordPress

  • Open a support ticket via My Jobs → Open Ticket.
  • Describe desired theme/import options.

Important Tips & Disclaimers

  • Fetch Times Vary: Depends on Wayback servers—be patient.
  • Not All Content Is Guaranteed: Some files may be missing.
  • Size Limits: Very large sites may be partial.
  • Copyright & Legal: Ensure you have restoration rights.
Need More Help?

Use the Open Ticket button on My Jobs—our team can guide you through any step.

Start a Website Restore