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Standard restoration rebuilds everything the Wayback Machine captured — but the archive only stores publicly visible web pages, not the server-side systems that powered them. Some features therefore fall outside what can be recovered automatically.
The following items are not included in a standard restoration package. They require manual redevelopment, which we offer as a separate custom service.

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What’s excluded by default

  • Custom backend systems — application logic and server-side code
  • User databases and login systems — accounts, passwords, and session management
  • Payment gateways — checkout flows, payment processors, and transaction records
  • Third-party API integrations — connected services such as CRMs, email platforms, or maps
  • Dynamic search and filters — server-driven search indexes and faceted navigation

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Why these features can’t be restored from archives

Archive.org snapshots capture the HTML output of a page at a point in time. They do not store:
  • Database records or schemas
  • Server-side scripts (PHP, Python, Node.js, etc.)
  • API credentials or connection configuration
  • Any data that required authentication to view
Because none of this data exists in the archive, there is nothing to restore. Recreating these features means building them from scratch.
We offer custom development services to rebuild dynamic functionality after restoration. Contact us to discuss your requirements and get a quote.

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What you can do

If your site needs features beyond static content, consider these paths:
  • Custom redevelopment — we rebuild the feature to your specification
  • WordPress plugins — many common functions (contact forms, search, e-commerce) have ready-made plugins available if you choose the WordPress delivery format
  • Third-party integrations — services like Stripe, Mailchimp, or Algolia can be connected after restoration