How to Backup WordPress Properly: Plugins, Hosting Backups, Manual Methods, and Restore Testing
Introduction
Backing up your WordPress site isn’t optional — it’s insurance for your business. A good backup strategy gets you back online fast after hacks, bad updates, or hosting failures, protecting leads and revenue. This guide gives clear, practical steps for non-technical founders and marketers.
What to back up (in plain terms)
Make sure your backups include these three things: - wp-content folder — themes, plugins, uploads (your images and files). - WordPress database — posts, pages, users, settings, and plugin data. - Key config files — wp-config.php, .htaccess and any custom code or scripts.
Why these matter: wp-content and the database hold your content and customizations. Core WordPress files can be reinstalled, but your data and configuration cannot.
How often to back up
Decide frequency by how much you can afford to lose: - Static brochure site: weekly. - Active blog: daily. - E-commerce or transactional site: hourly or real-time incremental backups plus daily full backups. - Membership or high-change sites: continuous or multiple hourly backups.
Think in terms of Recovery Point Objective (RPO): how many hours of data loss is acceptable?
Plugin-based backups (easy and automated)
For most small teams, a backup plugin is the simplest option. Popular choices include UpdraftPlus, BlogVault, Jetpack Backup, BackupBuddy, and Duplicator Pro. Benefits: - Scheduled automatic backups. - Offsite destinations like Google Drive, Dropbox, or Amazon S3. - One-click restores (with many premium plans).
Drawbacks: plugins can conflict, may add load, and sometimes incur storage costs. Always run an initial full backup and download a copy.
Host-level backups (what hosts usually provide)
Managed hosts often provide daily snapshots or incremental backups. They’re convenient but keep in mind: - Host backups are usually stored on the same infrastructure — not a true offsite copy. - Check retention (7 days? 30 days?), whether both files and DB are included, and if you can download snapshots.
If you prefer expert help, see services and examples at https://prateeksha.com?utm_source=blogger and their blog at https://prateeksha.com/blog?utm_source=blogger for more on managed maintenance.
Manual backups — step-by-step (non-technical)
Doing a manual backup gives you control. Two parts: files and database.
- Files via SFTP:
- Install FileZilla or Cyberduck.
- Get SFTP/SSH credentials from your host.
- Download the WordPress root folder (public_html or www). Focus on wp-content, wp-config.php, and .htaccess.
- Database via phpMyAdmin:
- Open phpMyAdmin in your host control panel.
- Select the WordPress database > Export > Quick > SQL.
- Save the .sql file locally.
- Verify:
- Compress files to a timestamped .zip.
- Check the .sql file isn’t empty and store both copies offsite.
If you want a guided how-to, this step-by-step walkthrough is helpful: https://prateeksha.com/blog/how-to-backup-wordpress?utm_source=blogger
Offsite storage: Drive vs S3
- Google Drive / Dropbox: easy and low-cost for small sites. Use plugins like UpdraftPlus for direct uploads.
- Amazon S3: scalable and robust for larger sites. Use lifecycle rules and versioning. Security tips: enable MFA, use unique accounts/keys, set strict S3 bucket policies, and encrypt sensitive backups.
Restore testing — don’t skip this
A backup is only useful if you can restore it. Test regularly: - Restore to a staging site or local environment (LocalWP or XAMPP). - Check logins, media, permalinks (Settings > Permalinks > Save), and key user journeys like checkout. - Keep a downloadable “last resort” full backup (zip + sql) offsite.
Common failure points and fixes
- Failed scheduled tasks: use server cron or a reliable external scheduler.
- Incomplete backups: verify plugins include both files and DB and test downloads.
- Storage caps: monitor offsite storage and set retention policies.
- Corrupt SQL: re-export and test import on staging.
Quick checklist (action items)
- [ ] Set backup frequency based on site type.
- [ ] Ensure backups include wp-content and the DB.
- [ ] Store at least one offsite copy (Drive, Dropbox, S3).
- [ ] Test a restore on staging every 1–3 months.
- [ ] Keep backup credentials secure and enable MFA.
Conclusion — What to do next
Pick a primary backup method (plugin or host), add an offsite copy, and schedule a restore test this month. If you’d rather have a managed plan, check professional options and guides at https://prateeksha.com?utm_source=blogger and their blog resources at https://prateeksha.com/blog?utm_source=blogger. For step-by-step instructions you can follow immediately, see https://prateeksha.com/blog/how-to-backup-wordpress?utm_source=blogger. Start today: a quick full backup and one offsite download will protect your business tomorrow.
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