5 Best Ways to Backup WordPress Site Easily

Are you thinking about how to backup WordPress site Well, you’re in the right place.

Taking a backup of a WordPress site is a good choice. In many situations, due to our mistakes or changes, our sites stop working. In such cases, with the help of backup, we can easily overcome these issues. In this article, we will tell you about 5 best ways to back-up a WordPress site, and that too very easily, just like beginners.

Backup WordPress Site

Why Backing Up Your Data Is Essential

If you have a WordPress website, it becomes extremely important to have a backup of your website.

In today’s technological world, we hear every day about websites getting hacked. Additionally, if your plugins are set to automatic updates and encounter technical issues that crash your WordPress site, the easiest method is to use your backup to fix the bug and get your site back online.

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There are many reasons why website backups are a crucial part of being a webmaster and website owner in the digital world.

5 Ways to Backup WordPress Site

Here are 5 ways to back up your WordPress site, ranging from easy to more complex:

  1. Using a WordPress Plugin
  2. Web Hosting Backup Services
  3. Using cPanel
  4. Content Delivery Network (CDN) Backup
  5. WordPress Backup Scripts

Which Method Should You Use?

The best method for backup WordPress site will depend on your individual needs and preferences. If you are looking for the easiest option, then using a WordPress plugin is a good choice. If you want more control over your backups, then you can use cPanel or WordPress backup scripts. And if you are using a CDN, then you may want to consider using their backup features.

Method 1: Using a WordPress Plugin

Backing up your WordPress site with a plugin is the easiest process. There are many free and paid WordPress plugins that offer backup features. Today, we’ll learn how to use a free plugin to create a backup.

Here are some popular free backup plugins you can use:

  • UpdraftPlus
  • Jetpack
  • Duplicator
  • BackWPUp

UpdraftPlus is one of the most popular free options, so we’ll use that to learn how to back up WordPress site.

Here’s how to Backup WordPress Site with UpdraftPlus:

Install and Activate UpdraftPlus:

In your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New. Search for “UpdraftPlus” in the search bar.

Click on Install Now and then Activate the plugin.

updraft plugin installtion page

Set Up UpdraftPlus Backup Settings:

Go to Settings > UpdraftPlus Backups.

Choose where you want to store your backups. Popular options include Dropbox, Google Drive, and Amazon S3. You can use direct backup option without do anything.

Back Up Your WordPress Site:

Click the “Backup Now” button.

backup now button in updraftplus dashboard

UpdraftPlus will create a backup of your WordPress files and database.

Once the backup is complete, you can download it to your computer or store it remotely.

Here are some additional things to keep in mind:

  • It’s a good idea to backup WordPress site regularly. UpdraftPlus can be scheduled to automatically back up your site daily, weekly, or monthly.
  • UpdraftPlus can also be used to restore your WordPress site if it ever gets damaged or corrupted.

Method 2: Web Hosting Backup Services

Most web hosting providers offer backup services as part of their hosting plans. These services typically include automatic backups, offsite storage, and one-click restore options. However, the specific features and pricing will vary depending on your hosting provider.

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backup section in hostinger admin panel

To take a backup, you need to log in to your hosting account. In the website section, you’ll need to find the backup option. This depends on the hosting provider and their plans, as to whether this feature is included or not. If you can’t find this option in your hosting account, you can access it through cPanel. From there, you can take backups of your database and files. The hosting provider typically handles this process, and you can choose to activate features like daily backups if available.

Method 3: Back Up Using cPanel

If your question is how to backup WordPress site from cPanel then this method is best for you.

You can use cPanel to manually back up your WordPress site by downloading your site’s files and database.

Let’s walk through the process step-by-step:

Access Your cPanel: Begin by logging in to your cPanel dashboard. This login information is typically provided by your web hosting provider.

Locate Your Files: Navigate to the “File Manager” section within cPanel. Here, you’ll see a directory structure representing your website’s files.

file manager files

Identify Your Domain Folder: If you’re using shared hosting, you’ll find multiple folders corresponding to different domains hosted on the server. Locate and select the folder specific to your WordPress website. For single-site hosting plans, the files will typically reside within the “public_html” directory.

Compress and Download Files: Once you’ve identified your domain folder, select all the files and folders it contains. Compress them into a ZIP archive for easier management.

zip file in file manager

Finally, download the compressed file to your local computer.

Tackling the Database: Now, it’s time to back up your WordPress database. Open phpMyAdmin, a tool included within cPanel for managing databases.

php my admin login interface

Find Your Database: If you’re unsure of the specific database name assigned to your WordPress site, you can locate it within the “wp-config.php” file.

wp-config file editing

Access this file using the File Manager, open it for viewing or editing, and find the line referencing the database name. Copy this name for later use.

wp-config file editing

Exporting the Database: Return to phpMyAdmin and locate the database with the name you retrieved from the “wp-config.php” file.

phpMyAdmin mySQL database interface with export button

Select this database, then click the “Export” button.

Finally, confirm the export by clicking “Export.” This will download a complete backup of your database to your local machine.

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export button on final stage

By following these steps, you’ve successfully created a manual backup of your WordPress site through cPanel. Remember, it’s wise to create regular backups and store them in a secure location separate from your web server. This ensures you have a recent copy of your site readily available in case of any unforeseen issues.

Method 4: Content Delivery Network (CDN) Backup

You can use a Content Delivery Network (CDN) for website backups. There are certain CDNs, like Cloudflare CDN and Sucuri, that provide website backup features in their paid plans. However, these features are typically limited to their paid plans and may not be as customizable as backups done through plugins or cPanel.

Method 5: WordPress Backup Scripts

You can create a PHP script to backup your WordPress site, which will run on the command line. Although this method is technical, it offers advanced customization features, making it suitable for users looking for more control over their backups.

Frequently Asked Questions 

How to backup a WordPress site automatically?

The easiest way to ensure regular backups is by utilizing a free backup plugin like UpdraftPlus or BackWPup. These plugins can be configured to automatically back up your site’s files and database at set intervals (daily, weekly, etc.) and store them in your preferred cloud storage service.

Where should I store my WordPress backups?

It’s crucial to store your backups off-site, separate from your web server. Cloud storage services like Dropbox or Google Drive are popular options.

Can I migrate my WordPress site using a backup?

In some cases, yes. Depending on the backup method, you might be able to use the backup to migrate your site to a new hosting provider. However, it’s recommended to consult a developer for complex migrations.

What are the benefits of using a backup plugin over cPanel backups?

Backup plugins offer features like automated scheduling, remote storage options, and easier restoration processes compared to manual cPanel backups.

How to backup a WordPress site manually?

To manually back up a WordPress site, log in to cPanel and download your website’s files and folders using the File Manager. Then, within cPanel, use phpMyAdmin to export your database.

How to backup a WordPress site for free?

You can create a free backup WordPress site using a free backup plugin like UpdraftPlus or BackWPup. These plugins allow you to schedule automatic backups and store them on free cloud storage services (with storage limitations) like Dropbox or Google Drive.

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