How to Backup Your WordPress Site (Manually or Via Plugins)
Have you ever lost your WordPress site? Or have you just now lost your site? And you don’t have a WordPress backup site to save you? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many website owners have experienced the frustration and panic that comes with losing their precious website data. Whether it’s due to a malicious hacker, a faulty plugin, theme, or add-on, or simply an accidental deletion, losing your WordPress site can be a nightmare.
But fear not! In this article, we will guide you through the process of backing up your WordPress site, ensuring that you never have to experience the stress of losing your website again. We will discuss two methods: manual backup and backup via plugins.
Manual Backup
The manual backup method involves manually copying and saving all the files and data associated with your WordPress site. While this method may seem time-consuming and tedious, it provides complete control over the backup process.
1. Backup Your WordPress Files
To start, you need to backup all your WordPress files. This includes your theme files, plugin files, media files, and any other files you have added to your site. You can do this by connecting to your website via FTP (File Transfer Protocol) using an FTP client like FileZilla. Once connected, navigate to the root directory of your WordPress installation and download all the files to your local computer.
2. Export Your WordPress Database
Next, you need to export your WordPress database. The database contains all the important data of your website, including posts, pages, comments, and settings. To export your database, you can use a tool like phpMyAdmin, which is usually available in your web hosting control panel. Simply select your WordPress database and choose the export option. Save the exported file to your local computer.
3. Save Your Backup Files
Now that you have backed up both your WordPress files and your database, it’s time to save them in a safe location. You can use cloud storage services like Dropbox, Google Drive, or Amazon S3 to store your backup files. Alternatively, you can save them on an external hard drive or a USB drive. Make sure to create a separate folder for your backup files and organize them properly.
Backup via Plugins
If the manual backup method seems too complicated or time-consuming for you, don’t worry. There are several WordPress plugins available that can automate the backup process for you. These plugins make it easy to schedule regular backups and restore your site with just a few clicks.
1. UpdraftPlus
UpdraftPlus is one of the most popular backup plugins for WordPress. It allows you to backup your entire site, including your files and database, to a remote location like Dropbox, Google Drive, or Amazon S3. You can schedule automatic backups and choose how often you want them to occur. UpdraftPlus also offers one-click restoration, making it easy to restore your site in case of any mishaps.
2. VaultPress
VaultPress is a backup and security plugin developed by Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com. It offers real-time backups, meaning it constantly monitors your site for changes and automatically backs up any new data. VaultPress also includes security features like malware scanning and threat detection, providing an all-in-one solution for website backup and security.
3. BackWPup
BackWPup is another popular backup plugin that allows you to backup your WordPress site to various destinations, including FTP servers, Dropbox, Google Drive, and Amazon S3. It offers both manual and scheduled backups, giving you flexibility in choosing when and how often you want to backup your site. BackWPup also supports database optimization and repair, helping you keep your site running smoothly.
Conclusion
Backing up your WordPress site is crucial to ensure the safety and security of your valuable website data. Whether you choose the manual backup method or opt for a backup plugin, the important thing is to have a backup strategy in place. Losing your WordPress site can be a nightmare, but with regular backups, you can rest easy knowing that you have a safety net to fall back on.
So, don’t wait until it’s too late. Take action now and start backing up your WordPress site. Whether you choose to do it manually or use a backup plugin, the peace of mind that comes with having a backup is priceless.
