Deleting Sites from SSL Certificate Monitoring

This guide covers how to safely remove sites from your SSL certificate monitoring system, including data retention options and recovery procedures.

Before You Delete

Important Considerations

Historical Data: Deletion removes all monitoring history and logs
Active Alerts: Any pending alerts for the site will be cancelled
Integrations: Connected webhooks and integrations will be disconnected
Recovery: Deleted sites cannot be recovered (but can be re-added)

Alternatives to Deletion

Consider these options before permanently removing a site:

Pause Monitoring: Temporarily disable without losing data
Archive Site: Keep historical data but stop active monitoring
Reduce Check Frequency: Monitor less frequently instead of stopping

Single Site Deletion

Step-by-Step Process

Navigate to Site: Go to your sites list or dashboard
Select Site: Click on the site you want to delete
Access Settings: Click "Edit" or "Settings" for the site
Delete Option: Look for "Delete Site" or "Remove" button
Confirm Deletion: Review the confirmation dialog carefully
Final Confirmation: Type the site name to confirm deletion

Confirmation Requirements

For safety, the system requires:

Site Name Confirmation: Type the exact site name
Acknowledgment: Confirm you understand data will be lost
Final Warning: Review what will be permanently removed

Bulk Site Deletion

When to Use Bulk Deletion

Cleaning up multiple obsolete sites
Removing test/development sites
Organizational restructuring
Account cleanup before migration

Bulk Deletion Process

Go to Sites Page: Navigate to /app/sites
Select Multiple Sites: Use checkboxes to select sites
Bulk Actions Menu: Click "Bulk Actions" dropdown
Choose Delete: Select "Delete Selected Sites"
Review Selection: Confirm the list of sites to delete
Confirm Deletion: Complete the bulk deletion process

Safety Features

Maximum Limit: Can only delete up to 10 sites at once
Individual Confirmation: Each site requires separate confirmation
Undo Period: 24-hour grace period for bulk deletions
Admin Approval: Large bulk deletions may require admin approval

Data Retention Options

What Gets Deleted

When you delete a site, the following data is removed:

Certificate History: All past certificate checks and results
Alert History: Previous alerts and notifications sent
Configuration Settings: All monitoring and alert configurations
Performance Metrics: Response times and availability data
Integration Logs: Webhook calls and API integration history

Data Export Before Deletion

To preserve important data:

Export Certificate History: Download historical certificate data
Save Configuration: Export site settings for potential re-import
Download Reports: Generate and save monitoring reports
Backup Integrations: Note webhook URLs and integration settings

Recovery and Restoration

No Direct Recovery

Deleted sites cannot be restored from backups
All associated data is permanently removed
Historical monitoring data cannot be recovered

Re-adding Deleted Sites

If you need to monitor a deleted site again:

Add as New Site: Use the normal site addition process
Reconfigure Settings: Set up monitoring preferences again
Restore Integrations: Reconnect webhooks and integrations
Import Configuration: Use previously exported settings if available

Preventing Accidental Deletion

Regular Backups: Export configurations regularly
Team Permissions: Limit deletion permissions to administrators
Confirmation Process: Always read confirmation dialogs carefully
Archive First: Use archive feature instead of immediate deletion

Special Deletion Scenarios

Sites with Active Incidents

If a site has active certificate issues:

Resolve First: Consider fixing issues before deletion
Document Problems: Note any ongoing issues for future reference
Alert Stakeholders: Notify team members about the deletion
Transfer Monitoring: Move monitoring to alternative systems if needed

Integrated Sites

For sites connected to external systems:

Disconnect Integrations: Remove webhooks and API connections first
Update External Systems: Modify dependent monitoring tools
Notify Integration Partners: Inform connected services about changes
Clean Up Automation: Remove automated scripts that reference the site

Troubleshooting Deletion Issues

Common Problems

Permission Denied: Ensure you have deletion permissions
Site in Use: Check if site is referenced by other configurations
Active Alerts: Wait for pending alerts to clear
Integration Conflicts: Disconnect all integrations first

Error Messages

"Cannot delete site with active alerts": Wait for alerts to clear or manually dismiss them
"Site referenced by other configurations": Remove references from alert groups or dashboards
"Insufficient permissions": Contact administrator for deletion rights
"Deletion limit exceeded": Wait before attempting more bulk deletions

Best Practices

Before Deletion

Document Reason: Record why the site is being deleted
Export Data: Save any important historical information
Notify Team: Inform relevant team members about the deletion
Check Dependencies: Ensure no other systems depend on this monitoring

Deletion Hygiene

Regular Cleanup: Periodically review and remove obsolete sites
Consistent Naming: Use clear naming conventions to identify deletable sites
Staging Separation: Keep test sites clearly marked for easy cleanup
Documentation: Maintain records of deleted sites for audit purposes

After Deletion

Verify Removal: Confirm the site no longer appears in lists
Update Documentation: Remove references from internal documentation
Clean Up Dashboards: Remove deleted sites from custom dashboards
Review Automation: Update scripts that may reference deleted sites

Need Help?

If you encounter issues with site deletion:

Check our Troubleshooting Guide
Review permission settings in your account dashboard
Contact support for assistance with bulk deletions or recovery questions