Do you have any information on how I can transfer my website files from a paid hosting service to a local host?

Typically, hosting control panels provide backup tools that allow you to create copies of your website files, which can then be easily downloaded and deployed on a local machine.
Personally, I find it more convenient to compress files into an archive and upload them, similar to how the database can be compressed using phpmyadmin.

Splitting files into archives can help save storage space and make the download process faster. Additionally, compressing the database can simplify its transfer and ensure all the necessary data is included.

Here are the steps to compress files and collapse the database using phpmyadmin:

1. Access your hosting control panel and locate the backup tools.
2. Select the files or folders you want to backup and choose to compress them into an archive file (e.g., ZIP or TAR).
3. Once the compression process is complete, download the archive file to your computer.
4. In phpmyadmin, select the database you want to collapse and choose the export option.
5. Select the appropriate compression method (e.g., ZIP) and start the export process.
6. Once the export is done, you will have a compressed copy of your database.

By collapsing files and compressing the database, you can simplify the backup process and ensure all your website's data is preserved in a compact and portable format.

To obtain a backup of your website, it is recommended to inquire with your hosting provider as many of them offer options to perform a database dump and create a file archive upon request.

Typically, you will only need the website files, which can be easily downloaded using FTP, SSH, or the hosting control panel. In addition, creating a database dump is essential, and most hosting control panels or phpMyAdmin (which is available with almost all hosting providers) offer this functionality.

Having a complete backup of both the files and the database ensures that you have a comprehensive snapshot of your website's data and settings, allowing for smooth migration or restoration in case of any unforeseen issues.

Remember to regularly update and maintain your backups to keep them up-to-date with the latest changes made to your website.

To begin with, locate a hosting provider that offers SSH access.
Next, familiarize yourself with the usage of rsync, as the command "rsync -avz --progress remote local" is typically sufficient for transferring files.
These steps should generally suffice.

It is worth mentioning that some may argue that finding a hosting provider with SSH access is challenging or costly. However, you can disregard those opinions if they do not align with your requirements. While it may be true that extremely inexpensive hosting options are unlikely to provide SSH access, reasonably priced options should offer this feature. I am aware of such providers, although I will refrain from promoting any specific ones.

You need to access your current hosting service's control panel or use an FTP client to download all your website files, including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, images, and any other assets.

Next, you'll need to export your website's database if you're using one. This is often done through the hosting control panel or using a tool like phpMyAdmin. Once you have your website files and database exported, you'll need to set up a local server environment on your computer. You can use software like XAMPP, WAMP, or MAMP to create a local development environment.
After setting up the local server, you'll need to create a new database and import the database file you exported from your paid hosting service. Then, copy all your website files into the appropriate directory in the local server environment.

Once everything is set up locally, you may need to update your website configuration files to reflect the changes in the database connection settings. This may involve updating the database name, username, password, and host details.

Finally, you can test your website locally by accessing it through a web browser. Keep in mind that some features, such as email functionality or specific server configurations, may not work the same locally as they do on a live server.