How to Backup WordPress Site?

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How to Backup WordPress Site?

Disclosure: We’re reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, see our Disclosure page. Thanks.

Backing up your WordPress site is crucial for protecting your data and ensuring you can restore your site if something goes wrong. Here are the steps to back up your WordPress site manually or using plugins:

1. Backup WordPress Site Manually

To manually back up your WordPress site, you need to back up both your files and your database.

a. Backup WordPress Files

Your WordPress site files include themes, plugins, media files (images, videos), and core WordPress files.

• Access Your Site via FTP/SFTP or cPanel File Manager:
  • Use an FTP client like FileZilla, or access your hosting account’s File Manager (usually via cPanel).
  • Navigate to your WordPress installation folder (usually public_html).
• Download WordPress Files:
  • Select all files and folders in the WordPress directory (e.g., wp-content, wp-admin, wp-includes, .htaccess, etc.).
  • Download the files to your local computer.

b. Backup WordPress Database

Your WordPress database contains all your site’s content, posts, pages, settings, and other important data.

• Access phpMyAdmin:
  • Log in to your hosting account and go to phpMyAdmin (often available through cPanel).
• Export the Database:
  • In phpMyAdmin, select your WordPress database (the name is usually the same as your website or something related to it).
  • Click on the Export tab.
  • Choose the Quick export method and SQL format.
  • Click Go to download the database backup.

c. Store the Backup

• Store the downloaded files (WordPress files and database) in a safe location, such as an external hard drive or cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.).

2. Backup WordPress Site Using Plugins

There are several plugins that simplify the backup process by automating the task. Here are some popular ones:

a. UpdraftPlus

UpdraftPlus is one of the most popular WordPress backup plugins that allows for easy backups and restores.

• Install UpdraftPlus:
  • From your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New.
  • Search for “UpdraftPlus” and click Install Now and then Activate.
• Configure Backups:
  • Go to Settings > UpdraftPlus Backups.
  • Choose where you want to store your backups (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.).
  • Set up automatic backup schedules and select the files and database to include.
• Backup Your Site:
  • Click Backup Now to initiate a manual backup. UpdraftPlus will create a copy of your files and database and store it in the selected remote storage.

b. BackupBuddy

BackupBuddy is another popular premium plugin for WordPress backups.

• Install BackupBuddy:
  • Purchase and download BackupBuddy from the iThemes website.
  • Upload and activate the plugin through Plugins > Add New.
• Configure Backups:
  • Go to BackupBuddy > Backups and select backup settings, including backup frequency and storage location.
• Backup Your Site:
  • You can either perform a manual backup or set up automated backups.

c. Jetpack

Jetpack is a multi-purpose WordPress plugin that also offers backup and security features.

• Install Jetpack:
  • Install Jetpack via Plugins > Add New.
  • Activate and connect it to a WordPress.com account.
• Backup Your Site:
  • Jetpack offers a feature called VaultPress for real-time backups (though this is part of a paid plan).
  • Once connected, backups will occur automatically and can be restored with a few clicks.

3. Automated Backups via Hosting Provider

Some hosting providers, like SiteGround, Bluehost, and WP Engine, offer automatic backups as part of their hosting packages. You can check with your hosting provider to see if they offer daily or weekly backups and how to restore from them.

4. Restore WordPress Site from Backup

• Manual Restore:
  • Upload the backed-up WordPress files via FTP.
  • Use phpMyAdmin to import the backed-up SQL file to your WordPress database.
• Using Plugins:
  • If you used a backup plugin (e.g., UpdraftPlus), you can simply use the plugin’s restore feature to restore your backup.

Final Tips:

• Regularly back up your site, especially before making major changes like updates or installing new plugins.
• Keep multiple copies of your backups, both on your server (if your host allows) and in off-site storage like cloud services.
• Test restoring from backups occasionally to ensure your backup system is working correctly.

By following these steps, you ensure that your WordPress site is protected from data loss, allowing you to restore it quickly if anything goes wrong.