From my experience working with hundreds of e-merchants in the past few years, I believe learning how to backup WordPress site is a crucial step in ensuring that your online business remains secure and operational. Regular backups allow you to recover quickly and maintain business continuity, minimizing downtime and potential revenue loss.
If you are looking for a way to perform this WordPress site backup, we've got you covered! In this article, we will guide you through 3 different methods to backup WordPress site, including:
- How to backup WordPress site using a plugin.
- How to backup WordPress site manually with cPanel.
- How to backup WordPress site using an FTP client.
On top of that, we will also provide the reasons why you should backup sites on WordPress and best practices for a successful WordPress backup site.
3 Methods to Backup WordPress Site
How to backup WordPress site using a plugin
Using a plugin is the most convenient method for backing up your WordPress site. Unlike manual backups, which can require extensive technical knowledge, plugins automate the process, making it accessible for users of all skill levels.
There are several extensions for backing up websites available on the WordPress plugin store, like Duplicator or Jetpack. Please note that each plugin has different ways and processes to back up your data, but in the scope of this article, I will work with UpdraftPlus to demonstrate the steps.
- Step 1. From your Admin dashboard, go to “Plugins” > “Add New”.
- Step 2. Search for UpdraftPlus and click “Install Now”. After that, don't forget to “Activate” your plugin by clicking the button.
- Step 3. Then, go to the UpdraftPlus tab. Here, you can either start a new backup, restore, or delete an existing one.
- Step 4. To start backing up your data right away, simply click the “Backup Now” button. Next, tick the box to define your backup, and click “Backup Now” to start the process.
- You can also create scheduled regular backups by clicking the “Settings” tab and choose your preferred timeline.
- Step 5. Next, select the online storage where you want to save your backup. At this step, you might need to verify and authenticate your account for the chosen storage.
- Step 6. Choose which entities you want to backup, and click the “Save Changes” button to finish setting up your backup file.
How to backup WordPress site manually with cPanel
For users with cPanel access learning how to backup WordPress site, this method can ensure that no third-party software can have access and control your data. This hands-on approach is beneficial if you prefer to work directly with your website’s files and database.
- Step 1. Access your hosting account and find the cPanel link.
- Step 2. Navigate to the “Files” section and select “Backup Wizard”.
- Step 3. Choose either Full Backup (for all files and databases) or partial backups (just files or databases).
- Step 4. Click on “Generate Backup”.
- Step 5. Once the process is completed, download the backup file.
How to backup WordPress site using an FTP client
If you prefer or need to use FTP (File-Transfer Protocol), follow these steps.
- Step 1. Download any FTP program that you prefer. Here, we'll use FireZilla for demonstration.
- Step 2. Enter your FTP credentials (host, username, password) provided by your hosting service to connect to your WordPress site.
- Step 3. Navigate to your WordPress root folder (often public_html).
- Step 4. Select all files and folders, then download them to your local machine.
Bonus reading:
Why Do You Need to Back Up Your WordPress Site?
Learning how to backup WordPress site is essential for protecting your content, data, and overall functionality. A reliable backup is crucial for websites facing various risks – such as hacking attempts, malware infections, hosting issues, and user errors. Without one, these incidents can lead to data loss, making your site unusable and potentially harming your reputation.
Backups, therefore, act as a safety net. They allow you to restore a previous, stable version if something goes wrong. This is especially important if your website serves a key purpose for your business, such as running an eCommerce store, hosting a blog, or showcasing a portfolio. By keeping regular backups, you can recover quickly from disruptions, which minimizes downtime and reduces the chance of losing valuable content or revenue. Additionally, backups can simplify website migrations. With a complete copy of your site on hand, transferring data to a new server or hosting provider becomes much easier.
In short, by backing up your WordPress site, you’re prepared for unexpected challenges. You protect your data, keep your site accessible, and ensure continuity even when issues arise.
Tips for A Successful WordPress Backup Site
To ensure your WordPress backup process runs smoothly, it's essential to follow some key practices. A successful backup strategy doesn’t just involve creating copies of your data – it also means scheduling backups, verifying their integrity, and storing them securely.
If you are learning how to backup WordPress site, the following tips will guide you in establishing a reliable backup process, helping you protect your website effectively.
- Choose the right backup method: Decide between manual backups, plugins, or hosting provider backups based on your technical comfort level and needs.
- Schedule regular backups: Set up a consistent backup schedule, especially if you update your site frequently. Regular backups ensure you always have recent copies of your site.
- Store backups securely: Use multiple storage options, such as cloud storage, external drives, or secure servers, to prevent data loss from hardware failure or security breaches.
- Test your backups: Verify that your backups work by restoring them on a staging site. This step ensures that you can rely on them in case of an emergency.
- Update your plugins and themes: Keeping your site’s software up to date reduces the risk of security vulnerabilities that can compromise your backup process.
- Check your server’s backup policy: If you rely on a hosting provider’s backup, review their policy to understand their frequency, storage duration, and recovery options.
Following these tips can help you develop a comprehensive backup strategy, giving you peace of mind that your WordPress site is well-protected.
How to Backup WordPress Site – FAQs
How do I backup an entire WordPress site?
To back up an entire WordPress site, you need to back up both the database and the files. You can use a backup plugin like UpdraftPlus or Jetpack, which allows for scheduled or manual backups.
Alternatively, you can manually back up your site using cPanel or FTP to download all files and export the database via phpMyAdmin. This ensures you have all content, themes, plugins, and settings saved securely
How do I backup my WordPress to local?
To back up your WordPress site to local storage, use an FTP client (like FileZilla) to connect to your server and download all files from the WordPress directory (usually public_html).
Additionally, access phpMyAdmin through your hosting control panel to export your database. This combination will give you a complete local backup of your site.
Does WordPress backup automatically?
WordPress does not back up automatically by default. However, many hosting providers offer automatic backups as part of their services. Additionally, you can set up automated backups using plugins like UpdraftPlus or Jetpack Backup, which can create scheduled backups without manual intervention.
How do I download a full WordPress website?
To download a full WordPress website, you can use a backup plugin that allows manual downloads of your entire site. Alternatively, log into your cPanel and use the Backup Wizard to create a full backup of your files and database. If using FTP, download all files from the WordPress directory and export the database via phpMyAdmin for a complete site download.
Final Words
In conclusion, backing up your WordPress site is a vital step for any website owner. With the range of potential threats – like hacking, accidental deletions, or server issues – having a backup ensures you can restore your site quickly and efficiently. By choosing the right method, whether manual or through a plugin, you’re building a foundation for data security.
If you like this blog post and want to learn more about this platform, don't forget to checkout our WordPress tutorial and other blogs related to WordPress on our website for more expert insights.
