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 manually with cPanel
- How to backup WordPress site using an FTP client
- How to backup WordPress site using a plugin
- Hiring an expert to backup WordPress site for you
On top of that, we will also explain why you should backup sites on WordPress and best practices for a successful WordPress backup site.
Why Do You Need to Backup Your WordPress Site
Backing up your WordPress site isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential. A WordPress backup site ensures that you always have a working version of your site ready to restore in case something goes wrong. Here are the main reasons why this matters.
1. Protection against hacking and malware
No matter how secure your site seems, WordPress websites are frequent targets for hackers. If your site gets hacked or infected with malware, your content and customer data could be at risk. With a backup, you can quickly restore your clean version and remove any malicious code, minimizing damage and downtime.
2. Recovery from human errors
Even experienced website owners make mistakes. You might accidentally delete important content, change a setting that breaks your layout, or update a plugin that causes a conflict. When you have a recent backup of your WordPress site, you can undo those errors without stress.
3. Protection during updates
Updates are important for WordPress core, themes, and plugins—but they sometimes cause problems. A new update might break your site layout or lead to compatibility issues. By backing up before you update, you can test safely and roll back if something goes wrong.
4. Hosting or server failures
Your hosting provider stores your website files on a server, but servers aren’t perfect. If your hosting company experiences a technical failure or loses data, your site might disappear without warning. A WordPress backup site stored elsewhere allows you to restore your content even if your hosting fails.
5. Migration to another platform
When you transfer your data from your WordPress site to another platform, things can get messy. Files might get lost, layouts may break, and plugins might stop working. With a full backup, you can restore your original site if the process doesn’t go as planned.
Store Migration Made Easy With LitExtension!
LitExtension offers great migration solutions that help you transfer your data from the current eCommerce platform to a new one accurately, painlessly with utmost security.
Method 1: How to Backup WordPress Site Manually via cPanel & phpMyAdmin
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.
To back up WordPress files via cPanel.
- Step 1. Access your hosting account and find the cPanel link.
- Step 2. Locate and click on File Manager under the Files section.
- Step 3. Open the public_html folder (or the folder where your WordPress site is installed), select all files and folders inside public_html.
- Step 4. Click on Compress and choose ZIP Archive.
- Step 5. Download the ZIP file to your local computer for safekeeping.
Your WordPress database contains all posts, pages, comments, and settings. WordPress recommends following structured backup steps for the database.
- Step 1. In cPanel, scroll to the Databases section. Click on phpMyAdmin.
- Step 2. From the left panel, locate and click on your WordPress database. If unsure of the database name, you can check wp-config.php in your File Manager.
- Step 3. Click on the Export tab and choose Quick as the export method.
- Step 4. Select SQL as the format.
- Step 5. Click Go, and the .sql file will be downloaded to your computer.
Method 2: How to Backup WordPress Site Using an FTP Client
Using an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) client allows you to manually back up your WordPress files, giving you direct access to your site's structure. However, this method does not back up your database—you will need to export your database separately using phpMyAdmin as shown in the previous section.
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 to demonstrate.
- 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 like wp-content/ (Contains themes, plugins, and uploads), wp-admin/ (WordPress admin panel files), wp-includes/ (WordPress core files), .htaccess, wp-config.php, and other configuration files.
- Step 5. Download the selected files to your local computer by dragging them into a local folder.
Method 3: Hire An Expert to Backup WordPress Site for You
As you may know, backing up a WordPress site involves more than just copying files. You need to export your WordPress database, secure your content, and test the backups to make sure they work.
If you're not confident handling technical tasks or simply want peace of mind, hiring an expert to back up your WordPress site can be a smart move. An experienced professional can help you avoid mistakes, ensure nothing is missed, and set up a reliable backup system tailored to your site.
Many business owners and bloggers choose this route because it saves time and reduces stress. Instead of learning everything yourself, you can rely on someone who understands WordPress inside and out. Whether you run an online store, a blog, or a company website, hiring an expert means your WordPress backup site will always be safe and up to date.
Method 4: How to Backup WordPress Site Using a Plugin
A plugin is the most convenient method for backing up your WordPress site. Unlike manual backups, which 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.
By following these steps, you ensure that both your database and files are regularly backed up, allowing for quick restoration in case of any website issues.
Best WordPress Backup Plugins for Your Consideration
Now that you understand how to back up WordPress site using plugins, let's take a look at our recommendations on the best WordPress backup plugins. These extensions will help you save time and reduce the risk of human errors, providing a reliable performance for website of all sizes.
#1 UpdraftPlus: WP Backup & Migration Plugin
UpdraftPlus is one of the most trusted names when it comes to WordPress backup plugins. It’s known for its reliability, simplicity, and ability to handle both backups and migrations with ease. Actively used on over 3 million websites, this plugin is a go-to solution for users who want a backup tool that just works, no complicated setup required.
Whether you’re running a personal blog or managing multiple business sites, UpdraftPlus helps you back up, migrate, and restore your WordPress site with minimal effort. It also supports a wide range of remote storage options, making it easier to protect your data securely.
Best UpdraftPlus features:
- Back up, migrate, and restore your WordPress site with ease
- Support a large number of remote storage locations
- Allow scheduled backups, so you can “set and forget”
- Offer a clean and user-friendly interface
- Is proven to work reliably on over 3 million WordPress sites
UpdraftPlus is a comprehensive solution for anyone looking to simplify how they back up their WordPress site without compromising on flexibility or control.
#2 All-in-One WP Migration and Backup
All-in-One WP Migration is one of the most widely used tools for WordPress site backup and migration, trusted by over 60 million websites worldwide. From small personal blogs to enterprise-level sites used by Fortune 500 companies and government agencies, this plugin delivers enterprise-grade performance with beginner-level simplicity.
What makes All-in-One WP Migration stand out is its ability to handle full-site exports with a single click, including your database, media, themes, and plugins without any downtime. It’s designed to work smoothly across all hosting environments and offers cross-database support, making it incredibly versatile for different setups.
Best features of All-in-One WP Migration:
- Export your entire site in one click
- Work with all hosting providers and server types
- Use memory-efficient processing (512KB chunks) for better performance
- Is trusted by Boeing, NASA, Harvard, Stanford, Automattic, and global agencies
If you’re looking for a reliable, no-hassle way to back up and migrate your WordPress site, All-in-One WP Migration is a strong and proven choice.
#3 WP STAGING WordPress Backup Plugin – Migration Backup Restore
WP STAGING is a powerful plugin that focuses on both WordPress backup and staging site creation. It’s designed for speed, simplicity, and performance, even on large or resource-limited websites. Unlike many other tools, WP STAGING keeps all your data on your own server, meaning no third-party accounts or external services are needed.
With just one click, you can clone your entire live site into a safe testing environment, ideal for trying updates or layout changes without affecting your users. It also supports automatic backup scheduling and uses a high-performance background processor to run tasks smoothly without slowing down your site.
Best features of WP STAGING:
- Clone your entire site into a safe subdirectory for staging or backup
- Allows automatic daily backup scheduling
- Runs backups in the background without slowing your site
- Offers fast cloning and migration that takes just seconds or minutes
WP STAGING is ideal for site owners who want control, performance, and a safe environment to test changes, all without needing external services or advanced technical skills.
When Should You Back Up Your WordPress Site
While learning how to back up WordPress site is important, knowing when to perform those backups ensures you don’t lose valuable content or settings. Backing up at the right moments keeps your data secure and gives you full control in case anything goes wrong.
Below are the key moments when a backup should be your top priority.
1. Before updating WordPress core, themes, and plugins
Updates can improve performance and security, but they can also introduce bugs or conflicts. Before making any major update, it’s important to create a full WordPress backup site so you can quickly restore everything if something breaks after the update
2. Before making any design or content changes
If you’re about to redesign your homepage, update your theme, or delete multiple pages, backing up beforehand is a good idea. This way, if the results aren’t what you expected or if you accidentally remove something important, you can recover your site with just a few clicks.
3. Before migrating to a new platform
Website migrations carry a higher risk of data loss or downtime. A full backup ensures that you won’t lose your files or settings during the transfer process. It also gives you a clean copy to restore if the migration doesn’t go as planned.
4. On a regular schedule (daily or weekly)
Even if you're not making big changes, your WordPress site still evolves over time. Scheduling daily or weekly backups ensures that your data is always protected, especially for active websites with frequent updates.
By learning how to backup WordPress site at the right times, you reduce the risk of losing important data and save yourself from unnecessary stress. A consisten backup routine keeps your website safe and your business running smoothly.
Tips for A Successful WordPress Backup Site
A strong backup plan is more than just saving copies of your site—it’s about doing it regularly, storing backups securely, and making sure they actually work.
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 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 they 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 check out our WordPress tutorial and other blogs related to WordPress on our website for more expert insights.
