msl338's profile

49 Messages

 • 

786 Points

Thursday, January 1st, 2026

Site Archiving Not Working

I have always downloaded a fresh archive of my websites on the first of every month. Today, JAN 1, 2026, my attempt to archive resulted in a continuously spinning "archiving" status for each of my two websites. In the past, the process would take a couple of moments at most. A quick search reveals that others have suffered this glitch before, but this is a first for me. Solution? Workaround? Help! JPZ

Oldest First
Selected Oldest First

2.6K Messages

 • 

26K Points

21 days ago

What website. Did you build it on Sitebuilder Desktop?

49 Messages

 • 

786 Points

The sites are maintained on Sitebuilder Plus. I used the Sitebuilder Desktop to build and maintain them years ago, but I've been smoothly and uneventfully using Plus for the past ten years or so. Any clues? Thanks. JPZ

2.6K Messages

 • 

26K Points

@msl338

To archive your Homestead Sitebuilder Plus website, log in to your account, go to your Websites Manager, click "More" under the edit button for your site, and select "Create new site archive file"; once it's done, you'll get a link to download a compressed (.zip or similar) archive of your site's files for backup. For individual pages, you can also use your browser's "Save Page As" feature or use the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine for a web-based snapshot, notes a YouTube video and another YouTube video
Using Homestead's Built-in Archiving (Recommended for Full Backup)
  1. Log in: Go to homestead.com and log into your account.
  2. Access Manager: Click on "Websites Manager".
  3. Select Site: If you have multiple sites, choose the correct one from the dropdown.
  4. Create Archive: Under the "Edit site" button, click "More", then select "Create new site archive file".
  5. Download: After processing, a download link will appear under "More"; click it to get a compressed file (like .zip) of your site.
  6. Extract: Use programs like 7zip or WinRAR to open and view the files. 
Archiving Individual Pages (Browser-Based) 
  1. Open Page: Navigate to the page you want in your web browser (Chrome, Firefox, etc.).
  2. Save: Go to your browser's File menu and select "Save Page As...".
  3. Save Details: Choose a location and ensure you're saving the entire page (HTML and associated files) to preserve functionality, as suggested by this YouTube video. 

49 Messages

 • 

786 Points

russell5607 - Thanks for the reply. Yes, the above procedure is what I've been doing without a hitch for years and years. Suddenly, this morning, the "archiving" stage never completes. I get no new compressed zip file to save. It just keeps "thinking," and spinning. I've read that others have reported a similar status over the past months, but it has never happened to me...until now. I know what's supposed to happen, but it's not happening. 

2.6K Messages

 • 

26K Points

@msl338

Perhaps it will work tomorrow.

This is the latest:​

Homestead (now part of Network Solutions) is sunsetting the "Web Listings" add-on service on January 15, 2026. A banner notification in the user portal has caused confusion and concern among long-time users that their entire websites are shutting down, but Homestead support confirms this is not the case. 
Key Points
  • Websites are not shutting down: The notification only affects the "Web Listings" add-on feature, which many customers do not actively use or are aware they have. Existing customer websites and other services will continue to function without disruption.
  • Company transition: The service removal coincides with Homestead being integrated more fully into the Network Solutions brand and suite of services.
  • Ongoing issues: Separately from the "Web Listings" notification, some users have reported persistent issues with website editing tools and customer support, leading some to seek alternative platforms. 
What to do if you are a Homestead customer
  • No action required: If you do not use the specific "Web Listings" add-on, no action is required.
  • Contact support for clarification: If you are concerned about your specific services, or want to explore new products, you should contact Homestead/Network Solutions customer support directly.
    • Phone support: Call 1-800-710-1998 from the U.S. or Canada to speak with a representative.
  • Access your account: You can continue to log in to your account via the Homestead login page to manage your existing services. 

49 Messages

 • 

786 Points

It's been three weeks since my first report of the archiving issue, and it remains unsolved. I've since read a post from someone experiencing the same problem. I used to create and download a new archive file of my website on the first of every month, but since January 1, 2026 I've been unable to do so. I know the procedure...it's currently not working. Very frustrating! JPZ

2.6K Messages

 • 

26K Points

2 days ago

How do I download a fresh archive of my homestead websites on my computer?

According to Google:

To download a fresh archive of your Homestead website, log into your account, go to the Websites Manager, find the "More" options for your site, and select "Create new site archive file," then click the download link that appears to save the ZIP file to your computer, using a program like 7zip or WinRAR to open it. For WordPress sites, you might use a migration plugin, or for any site, a dedicated tool like HTTrack (for full cloning) or FTP (for manual file transfer) might be needed, depending on your setup. 
For Homestead Sitebuilder Users (Recommended)
  1. Log in to your Homestead account.
  2. Go to Websites Manager and select your site.
  3. Under the "Edit site" button, click More.
  4. Choose Create new site archive file.
  5. Wait for it to finish, then click the Download site archive link that appears.
  6. Save the .zip file to your computer. 
For WordPress on Homestead (Using Plugins)
If your Homestead site runs WordPress:
  1. Install a plugin like All-in-One WP Migration or UpdraftPlus.
  2. Use the plugin's export/backup feature to create a single file (usually .zip) of your site.
  3. Download that file to your computer. 
General & Advanced Methods
  • FTP (File Transfer Protocol): If the above doesn't work, get your site's FTP details (hostname, username, password) from Homestead and use an FTP client (like FileZilla) to connect and download all your site's files and folders.
  • HTTrack: A free tool that "mirrors" an entire website to your computer for offline browsing, great for older or simpler sites.

49 Messages

 • 

786 Points

Yes, Russell, thank you again for your reply. BUT... I've tried this almost every day for the past three weeks, and after selecting "Create a new site archive file," the spinning "archiving" icon spins endlessly! I check it daily to find it still spinning, and after three days or so, the spinning has stopped, and the choice to (once again) "Create a new site archive" appears. Lather. Rinse. Repeat. No file created, nothing to subsequently download. There's a bug somewhere that hasn't cleared itself up yet. I do appreciate the reply, but it's not helping to resolve the issue. JPZ

2.6K Messages

 • 

26K Points

@msl338​ 

We've gotten some messages regarding service changes. Could it be that the changes are the reason for this? If you're using Sitebuilder desktop, this is probably the case.

Based on recent, late-2025/early-2026 reports, the service change messages for Homestead (the website builder owned by web.com Digital) are primarily regarding the discontinuation of certain add-on services and a migration of customer accounts to Network Solutions
Key aspects of the messages include:
  • Weblisting Service Termination: A "Weblisting" add-on service is being stopped as of January 15, 2026, after which these specific services will no longer be available.
  • Account Migration: Existing Homestead customer accounts are being transferred to Network Solutions.
  • Minimal Impact Promise: The company indicates that the transition is designed to be seamless, with usernames, passwords, and pricing expected to remain the same.
  • "Ending Services" Banner: Users have reported seeing banners regarding these changes, which seem to be focused on removing specific, older, or third-party add-ons rather than shutting down the main website builder. 
For users who have received these messages, it is advisable to check their account dashboard for specific details on how their account is impacted, particularly regarding any "Weblisting" or similar add-on subscriptions. 

49 Messages

 • 

786 Points

Thank you once again. I did see the service changes message, but I didn't think it affected my account as I have no add-on services. I do understand that things are changing for Homestead. I've built my websites on the Sitebuilder Plus platform over a period of 20+ years, and I'm not in a position to start over with different software. I'll keep hoping for the best—or at least for a stable status quo. JPZ

2.6K Messages

 • 

26K Points

@msl338​ 

I understand you're wanting stability. Homestead developed a new program that is mobile friendly. 60-80% of my website inquiries are mobile. I moved my website to Bigcommerce. Others are using the new websitebuilder program. Clearlake may want to consolidate operating systems. I doubt Sitebuilder Plus will survive much longer.

Clearlake Capital Group has completed the acquisition of Endurance International Group at approximately $3.0 billion (source). **Its subsidiaries including Bluehost, HostGator, Web.com, etc. are now under a newly formed company named Newfold Digital.

49 Messages

 • 

786 Points

Good info! Thank you very much for filling me in on this. It doesn't help my immediate situation, but at least I have a clearer picture of the direction things are heading. I'm almost 75... when Sitebuilder Plus calls it quits, I just might call it a day, too! JPZ