Imagine waking up one morning and discovering that your WordPress website has completely disappeared. All your blog posts, product pages, images, and customer data – gone in an instant. This is not just a nightmare scenario; it happens to website owners every single day because of hacking attempts, server crashes, accidental deletions, or a bad plugin update.
The good news is that this kind of disaster is entirely preventable. The answer lies in one simple habit: backing up your WordPress site regularly. A proper backup is like an insurance policy for your website. If anything goes wrong, you can restore everything to exactly how it was before the problem occurred.
In this guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know about how to backup a WordPress site. Whether you are a complete beginner or someone who has been running a WordPress site for years, you will find clear, step-by-step instructions that are easy to follow. We will cover multiple backup methods – from beginner-friendly plugins to more advanced manual techniques – so you can choose the approach that works best for you.
Let’s dive in and make sure your website is protected.
Table Of Contents
Why Backing Up Your WordPress Site Is So Important
Before we get into the how, let’s talk about the why. Many website owners skip backups because they think nothing bad will ever happen to their site. Unfortunately, that belief is the biggest mistake you can make.
Here are some of the most common reasons WordPress sites lose their data:
- Hacking and malware attacks: WordPress powers over 40% of all websites on the internet, which makes it a prime target for hackers. If your site gets hacked, your files and database can be corrupted or completely wiped out.
- Bad plugin or theme updates: Installing a faulty plugin or an incompatible theme update can break your entire website, leaving you with a blank page or an error message.
- Accidental deletion: You or someone with access to your site might accidentally delete important content or make a mistake in the settings that causes serious damage.
- Web hosting problems: Servers can crash, hosting companies can go out of business, or technical failures on the hosting side can result in data loss.
- Human error during development: While making changes to your site’s code, you might accidentally overwrite or delete something critical.
Having a recent backup means that no matter what goes wrong, you can get your website back up and running quickly. Without a backup, you could spend days or even weeks trying to rebuild your site from scratch – if you can rebuild it at all.
Think of a WordPress backup the same way you think of saving a document you are working on. You would not write a 50-page report and never hit the Save button. Your website deserves the same protection.
What Does a WordPress Backup Actually Include?
A complete WordPress backup consists of two main parts. It is important to understand both, because backing up only one and not the other gives you an incomplete picture.
1. Your WordPress Files
These are the actual files that make your website function. They are stored on your web hosting server and include:
- WordPress core files (the files that run the WordPress platform itself)
- Your theme files (which control how your website looks)
- Plugin files (which add features and functionality to your site)
- The wp-content folder, which includes all your uploaded images and media files
2. Your WordPress Database
Your database is where all the real content of your website lives. It stores:
- All your blog posts, pages, and their content
- Comments left by readers
- User accounts and their information
- Plugin settings and configurations
- All your website settings, menus, and widgets
A full backup includes both your files and your database. If you only back up one or the other, you will not be able to fully restore your site in the event of a disaster.
Method 1: Backup WordPress Using a Plugin (Easiest for Beginners)
The easiest way to back up your WordPress site is by using a dedicated backup plugin. This method does not require any technical knowledge. You simply install the plugin, configure a few settings, and it handles everything automatically.
Here are the most popular and reliable WordPress backup plugins available today:
UpdraftPlus – The Most Popular Free Backup Plugin
UpdraftPlus is the most widely used WordPress backup plugin, with millions of active installations. It offers a free version that is packed with features and is perfect for most website owners.
How to Set Up UpdraftPlus:
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
- Go to Plugins and click Add New.
- Search for “UpdraftPlus” in the search bar.
- Click Install Now and then Activate.
- Go to Settings and then UpdraftPlus Backups.
- Under the Settings tab, set how often you want your files and database to be backed up (for example, daily or weekly).
- Choose where you want your backups to be stored. UpdraftPlus supports Google Drive, Dropbox, Amazon S3, and more.
- Click Save Changes and then click Backup Now to create your first backup.
UpdraftPlus will now automatically back up your site on the schedule you set. You can see all your backups listed on the main UpdraftPlus page, and you can restore your site from any of those backups with just a click.
Jetpack Backup – Best for Real-Time Backups
Jetpack is a powerful plugin made by Automattic, the same company behind WordPress.com. Its backup feature (called VaultPress Backup) offers real-time backups, meaning your site is backed up every time you make a change.
This is especially valuable for online stores, news websites, or any site that is updated frequently throughout the day. If something goes wrong, you can restore your site to any point in time – even to just a few minutes before the problem occurred.
Jetpack Backup is a paid service, but it is worth the investment for busy websites. Plans start at an affordable monthly rate, and the peace of mind it provides is priceless. Setup is straightforward – you install the Jetpack plugin, connect it to a WordPress.com account, and activate the backup feature from your Jetpack dashboard.
BlogVault – Best for WooCommerce and eCommerce Sites
BlogVault is a premium backup plugin that was specifically designed with eCommerce and WooCommerce sites in mind. It stores your backups completely offsite on its own servers, which means your backups are always safe even if your hosting server fails.
BlogVault also provides an easy one-click restore feature and even allows you to test your restored backup on a staging site before making it live. This is a major advantage if you are worried about restoring a broken backup to your live site.
Method 2: Backup WordPress Through Your Hosting Control Panel
Most web hosting providers give you access to a control panel – usually called cPanel – that includes built-in tools for backing up your website. This method is great as a secondary backup option and gives you direct control over your site’s files and database.
Using cPanel to Backup Your WordPress Site
Follow these steps to create a backup through cPanel:
- Log in to your web hosting account and find the cPanel option. Your hosting provider will usually have this in your account dashboard.
- Inside cPanel, look for the Files section and click on Backup or Backup Wizard.
- To create a full backup, click on Download a Full Website Backup. This will create a compressed file containing all your website files.
- To back up just your database separately, scroll down to the MySQL Databases section and download a backup of your specific WordPress database.
- Once the backup is created, download the file to your computer and store it in a safe place.
While cPanel backups are useful, they are often stored on the same server as your website. This means that if your server crashes or your hosting account is compromised, both your website and your backup could be affected at the same time. Always download a copy of your backup to your local computer or an external storage service.
Managed WordPress Hosting Automatic Backups
Some hosting providers, especially those that offer managed WordPress hosting, automatically back up your website for you. Popular managed hosts like WP Engine, Kinsta, Flywheel, and SiteGround all include automatic daily backups as part of their hosting plans.
If you are using one of these hosts, check your hosting dashboard to see where your backups are stored and how to restore them. Even with hosting backups available, it is still a good practice to maintain your own independent backups as well. Never rely on a single source of backup.
Method 3: Manual Backup Using FTP and phpMyAdmin
If you are comfortable with a bit more technical work, you can back up your WordPress site manually. This method gives you complete control over the process and does not require any plugins. It involves two separate steps: downloading your files via FTP and exporting your database via phpMyAdmin.
Step 1 – Backup Your WordPress Files Using FTP
FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. It is a way of connecting to your web server and downloading files from it to your computer. You will need an FTP client – a free program called FileZilla is the most popular choice and works on both Windows and Mac.
- Download and install FileZilla from filezilla-project.org.
- Open FileZilla and go to File and then Site Manager.
- Enter your FTP credentials – your hosting provider will have given these to you when you signed up. You will need the host (your domain or IP address), your username, and your password.
- Click Connect. FileZilla will connect to your server and show you all the files on your hosting account.
- Find your WordPress folder – usually called public_html or www. Right-click on it and choose Download.
- FileZilla will download all your WordPress files to your computer. This may take some time depending on how large your website is.
Step 2 – Backup Your Database Using phpMyAdmin
phpMyAdmin is a web-based tool for managing your WordPress database. It is available inside your hosting control panel (cPanel).
- Log in to cPanel and find phpMyAdmin under the Databases section.
- Click on your WordPress database in the left-hand sidebar. The name is usually found in your wp-config.php file under the line that says DB_NAME.
- Click on the Export tab at the top of the page.
- Choose the Quick export method and select SQL as the format.
- Click Go. phpMyAdmin will generate a .sql file and download it to your computer. This is your complete database backup.
Store both your downloaded files and your .sql file in the same folder on your computer, clearly labeled with the date of the backup. You now have a complete manual backup of your WordPress site.
Method 4: Using WP-CLI for Command-Line Backups
WP-CLI is a command-line tool for managing WordPress. It is intended for more advanced users – developers, system administrators, or anyone comfortable using a terminal or SSH connection to their server. If you are a beginner, you can skip this section and use one of the earlier methods instead.
The advantage of WP-CLI is that it is fast, scriptable, and does not require logging in to a graphical interface. You can create backups directly from the command line in seconds.
To back up your database using WP-CLI, connect to your server via SSH and run the following command:
wp db export backup.sql
This will export your entire WordPress database to a file called backup.sql in the current directory. You can then download this file to your computer using FTP or SCP.
WP-CLI also makes it easy to automate backups using scheduled tasks (called cron jobs) on your server. This is how many professional developers set up automated backup systems without relying on plugins.
Where Should You Store Your WordPress Backups?
Creating a backup is only half the job. Where you store that backup is just as important. Keeping your backup on the same server as your website defeats the purpose – if the server fails, you lose both your site and your backup.
Here are the best places to store your WordPress backups:
Cloud Storage Services
Cloud storage is one of the safest and most convenient options for storing backups. Most backup plugins support direct integration with popular cloud services:
- Google Drive: Offers 15GB of free storage. UpdraftPlus and many other plugins can automatically send backups to your Google Drive account.
- Dropbox: Another popular option with automatic sync. Free accounts come with a limited amount of storage.
- Amazon S3: Highly reliable and affordable object storage, popular among developers who manage multiple websites.
- Microsoft OneDrive: A solid choice if you already use Microsoft 365, with generous storage included in subscription plans.
Your Local Computer
Downloading a copy of your backup to your personal computer is a great habit. It gives you an offline copy that is completely independent of your website and hosting account. The downside is that hard drives can fail, so do not rely on this as your only backup location.
External Hard Drives
For extra security, you can copy your backups to an external hard drive or USB drive and store it in a separate physical location from your computer. This protects you against scenarios where your computer itself is lost, stolen, or damaged.
The 3-2-1 Backup Rule
If you want to follow best practices, use the 3-2-1 backup rule:
- Keep 3 copies of your data (your live site plus two backups)
- Store backups on 2 different types of media (e.g., cloud and local)
- Keep 1 copy in an offsite or remote location (cloud storage counts as offsite)
How Often Should You Backup Your WordPress Site?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. The right backup frequency depends on how often your website changes.
- Static brochure websites (rarely updated): Once a week is usually sufficient. If you go months without making changes, you can even back up manually every time you do make an update.
- Blogs that publish a few times per week: Daily backups are recommended so you never lose more than one day’s worth of content.
- eCommerce stores and WooCommerce sites: Real-time or hourly backups are ideal since customer orders, payments, and inventory can change by the minute.
- News and high-traffic sites: Real-time backups are essential. Any content published between backups could be permanently lost if something goes wrong.
As a general rule of thumb: back up as often as you can afford to lose data. If losing one week of content would devastate your business, back up daily. If you post only occasionally, weekly backups may be fine. Always back up your site immediately before making any major changes, such as updating WordPress core, installing a new theme, or making significant code changes.
How to Restore a WordPress Site from a Backup
Knowing how to create a backup is important, but knowing how to restore from one is equally critical. A backup is only useful if you can actually recover your website when needed.
Restoring with a Backup Plugin
If you used a plugin like UpdraftPlus, restoring your site is simple:
- Go to Settings and then UpdraftPlus Backups in your WordPress dashboard.
- You will see a list of all your backups. Find the backup you want to restore from.
- Click the Restore button next to that backup.
- Choose which components you want to restore (files, database, or both).
- Click Restore and wait for the process to complete. UpdraftPlus will automatically restore all the selected components.
Restoring Manually from a Backup
If you created a manual backup using FTP and phpMyAdmin, restoring requires a few more steps:
- Use FileZilla to upload your backed-up files back to your server, overwriting the current files.
- Open phpMyAdmin, select your WordPress database, and click the Import tab.
- Choose your backup .sql file and click Go. phpMyAdmin will import the database and restore all your content.
It is a smart idea to test your backup restoration process occasionally – perhaps on a staging environment – so you know exactly what to do when an emergency strikes. Do not wait until a crisis to find out whether your backup process works correctly.
Common WordPress Backup Mistakes to Avoid
Even website owners who do create backups sometimes make critical mistakes that leave them vulnerable. Here are the most common backup mistakes and how to avoid them:
- Backing up only the database and not the files (or vice versa): A complete backup requires both. Never settle for a partial backup.
- Storing backups only on your own server: If your server goes down or gets hacked, you lose your backup too. Always send backups to at least one remote location.
- Never testing your backup restoration: A backup you have never tested is a backup you cannot trust. Verify that your backups actually work by doing a test restoration.
- Setting up backups and then forgetting about them: Check your backup logs occasionally to make sure backups are actually completing successfully. Sometimes plugins break or cloud storage authentication expires.
- Not backing up before major updates: Always create a fresh backup before updating WordPress core, plugins, or your theme. This gives you an easy way to roll back if something breaks.
- Keeping backups forever without cleaning up: Old backups take up storage space. Set a retention policy – for example, keep the last 30 days of daily backups – and delete older ones.
Comparing WordPress Backup Methods: Which One Is Right for You?
Now that you know all the different backup methods available, here is a quick summary to help you choose the right approach for your situation:
- Complete beginner with a simple blog or website: Use UpdraftPlus. It is free, easy to set up, and handles everything automatically. Configure it to send backups to Google Drive and you are fully protected.
- Running an active eCommerce or WooCommerce store: Use Jetpack Backup or BlogVault for real-time or near-real-time protection. A missed order or payment can cost you money, so do not rely on daily snapshots alone.
- Comfortable with technical tools and want full control: Use the manual FTP and phpMyAdmin method, optionally combined with a plugin for automation.
- Developer or power user managing multiple sites: Use WP-CLI combined with scheduled cron jobs for a lightweight, automated, and highly customizable backup solution.
Whatever method you choose, the most important thing is to actually do it and do it consistently. One reliable backup system that you maintain regularly is far better than a theoretically perfect system that you never use.
Extra Tips for Keeping Your WordPress Site Safe
Backups are a critical part of WordPress security, but they work best as part of a broader approach to keeping your website safe. Here are some additional tips to protect your site:
- Keep WordPress updated: Always run the latest version of WordPress, your plugins, and your theme. Most hacks exploit known vulnerabilities in outdated software.
- Use strong passwords: Weak passwords are one of the easiest ways for hackers to gain access to your site. Use a password manager to create and store complex passwords.
- Install a security plugin: Plugins like Wordfence or Sucuri can actively scan your site for malware, block suspicious traffic, and alert you to potential threats.
- Use SSL: Make sure your website uses HTTPS (not just HTTP). An SSL certificate encrypts data sent between your site and your visitors and also helps with search engine rankings.
- Limit login attempts: Prevent brute-force attacks by using a plugin that limits how many times someone can try to log in to your WordPress dashboard.
Frequently Asked Questions About WordPress Backups
Is it safe to back up WordPress with a free plugin?
Yes, absolutely. Free plugins like UpdraftPlus are trusted by millions of websites worldwide and are perfectly safe to use. As with any plugin, download it from the official WordPress.org plugin repository to ensure you are getting the legitimate version.
How large will my backup file be?
The size of your backup depends on how much content your site has. A small blog with a few dozen posts might have a backup of only a few hundred megabytes. A large website with thousands of images or a busy WooCommerce store could have backups that are several gigabytes in size. Backup plugins usually compress your backup into a .zip file to reduce the size.
Can I backup a WordPress site that is broken or showing errors?
If your WordPress dashboard is inaccessible, you cannot use a plugin to create a backup. In this case, you will need to use the manual method – connecting via FTP to download your files and using phpMyAdmin to export your database. This is another reason why having pre-existing backups is so valuable.
Does my web host backup my site automatically?
Many hosts do offer automatic backups, but the frequency, retention period, and reliability can vary widely. Some hosts only keep backups for a few days, and some may not offer them at all on basic plans. You should never rely solely on your hosting provider’s backups – always maintain your own independent backup system as well.
How long does it take to restore a WordPress backup?
With a good backup plugin, the restoration process can be completed in just a few minutes. Manual restoration takes longer, depending on the size of your site and the speed of your internet connection. For large sites, it could take anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours.
Conclusion
Backing up your WordPress site is not complicated, and it does not have to be expensive either. The methods we have covered in this guide give you multiple options depending on your comfort level, the size of your website, and how often it changes.
To recap your options:
- Use a plugin like UpdraftPlus for the easiest, most beginner-friendly automated backup solution
- Use your hosting control panel (cPanel) for an additional layer of backup protection
- Use FTP and phpMyAdmin for complete manual control over the backup process
- Use WP-CLI for automated, scripted backups if you are a more advanced user
No matter which method you choose, do not put it off any longer. Set up your backup system today. The few minutes it takes to configure automatic backups now could save you days of heartache and hard work later.
Your website represents your time, your effort, and very possibly your livelihood. Protect it the right way – with regular, reliable backups stored in multiple safe locations.
Once you have your backup system in place, take a moment to test it and confirm everything is working as expected. A backup you have never tested is a promise you have never kept. Take the time to do it right, and you will be able to run your WordPress site with complete confidence, knowing that no matter what happens, you are always just a few clicks away from getting everything back.
About the Author
Jay Patel is the Founder of XSquareSEO, a full-service SEO agency with experience in on-page SEO, eCommerce SEO, link building, technical SEO, SaaS SEO, and local SEO. For more information, feel free to contact us.
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