How to Create a Complete Backup for Your WordPress Website

TECHCRB

9 May, 2025

What is a Backup, and Why Do You Need It for WordPress?

In website administration, it's a priority to safeguard your site's data, especially if you are utilizing WordPress to manage your site. With the speedy pace at which technology has progressed, it has been an imperative to take that extra step to safeguard your site content from premature issues, such as cyberattacks, technical issues, or administrative errors. This is where a WordPress backup becomes a realistic and necessary option to secure your data and make it recoverable whenever required.

Backup is not an insurance alone; it's your line of defense in staying away from losing valuable content. It will allow you to continue offering your services or content to your audience without halt. If you have a personal blog, an online company, or a business site, having a current backup keeps you prepared to react on any disaster efficiently and effectively.

Why You Should Have a Backup of Your WordPress Site

Having a backup of your WordPress site is one of the most critical precautionary measures towards ensuring its security and continuity. No one would want to lose their data or incur unexpected downtime, especially if the site is a primary source of income or contains valuable content. The following are the key reasons why backups are inevitable:

Protect Sensitive Data and Valuable Content 📌 A backup ensures that all the content on your site data—articles, photos, comments, and customer info—is securely kept, even if there is a problem.
Restore the Site After Cyberattacks or Malware 📌 In the instance of a compromised or malware-infected site, a backup will bring your site back to its normal state immediately, minimizing harm.
Address Unexpected Technical Failures 📌 Technical issues, such as incompatibility update or plugin failure, could result in crashing websites. Backup allows you to reverse to an earlier version of your website without anything being lost.
Recover from Administrative Errors 📌 Even under utmost care and precaution in administering the site, human errors such as accidentally erasing important files are possible. Backup provides the ultimate solution instantaneously without the requirement for you to start fresh again.
Keep Your Site's Reputation and Continuity 📌 unplanned downtime damaged reputations as well as user experience. You are able to bypass most downtime by using backup. You simply have to keep a backup for your site from time to time.

Back up your site regularly is the smart thing you do that makes you a free person of many issues.

Store more copies in safe places such as cloud spaces or away from the hard disk and hard drive.

Top Ways to Back Up WordPress

WordPress site backup is one of the steps you can take to ensure the continuation of the site and preservation of its information. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced website administrator, the decision on how to backup will see you through a seamless and easy process. The following are the most highly recommended methods of WordPress backup:

1. Backup Plugins

Backup plugins are perhaps the simplest and most common means of backing up a WordPress website. These include:

UpdraftPlus: Both free and paid versions with cloud storage available.
BackupBuddy: Commercial software with features such as automated backups and scheduling.
Duplicator: Free plugin that makes full backups, files and databases.

2. Manual Backup Using FTP

If you desire total control of the process, you can use File Transfer Protocol (FTP) to download all your site files directly onto your local machine. This entails copying critical folders like "wp-content" and the database.

3. Backup via Control Panel (cPanel)

The majority of hosting firms have built-in tools in the control panel, for instance, "Backup Wizard," where you can easily back up files as well as databases.

4. Using Cloud Backup Services

You can rely on paid backup services by hosting companies or dedicated sites such as CodeGuard and Jetpack, which perform automatic regular backups.

5. External Backup Software

There are computer programs such as Acronis or Backup4all that allow you to maintain a complete backup of your website on your device or cloud storage.

Choosing the Right Method

The method of your choice relies on your needs and budget, although using several methods at once is always the best for increased security. Furthermore, test the legitimacy of your backups regularly to have no nasty surprises.

The Difference Between Manual and Automated Backups

When preserving your website and its data is concerned, the creation of a backup for your WordPress site ranks among the most important actions that you should never skip. However, there are two main ways of backups: manual backups and automated backups. Both have advantages and disadvantages, and the best one is up to your website's needs and your ability to keep the process running on a regular basis. In a world with so many technological developments and cyber attacks, it is crucial to understand the differences between manual and automated backups to run your website without danger.

Feature Manual Backup Automated Backup

Manual Backup vs. Automation

Manual backups require your active involvement with every step, so you can fully control your data and files you store. Automated backups take an effortless, time-saving strategy through dedicated applications that schedule backup automatically without you directly inputting anything. Increasing importance to the protection of data, choosing manual or automated backups depends on such factors as your site size, technical expertise, and security needs.

Backing Up with Plugins

Taking backups for your site is one of the best measures to offer protection against future issues, such as hacking or server crashes. Using WordPress backup plugins is one of the easiest and most efficient means to carry out this task. Plugins provide numerous benefits, which make the process of backup rapid and safe, taking less time and effort from your side. That is why using plugins for backup is the ideal choice:

Ease of Installation and Use There is no great technical expertise needed to use backup plugins. On installation, settings for automatic backup can be chosen according to your need, such as setting backup schedule and deciding what data is to be backed up.
Automatic Backups Plugins allow setting up automatic schedule for backups (daily, weekly, monthly). This keeps your backups updated forever without you taking manual intervention.
Integration with Cloud Storage Most plugins also give the option of saving the backups in cloud storage like Google Drive, Dropbox, or Amazon S3. This becomes safer and isolates the backups from the problems of the local server or hardware failure.
Flexible Data Restoration Plugins simplify and speed up the restoration of backups. You can restore lost data or files with just one click, which requires much less effort and time compared to conventional methods.
Advanced Security Options Certain plugins also offer added functionalities, such as encrypted backups and multi-location storage, offering a number of layers of security to your data. This safeguards your website against loss in the event of failures or cyberattacks.
Regular Support and Updates Popular plugins tend to offer regular technical support and updates, which offer immunity from new security vulnerabilities. This makes them the best choice for websites that are highly reliant on robust security.

Using plugins for backups is the best option for websites that require regular, hassle-free backups. Always choose a plugin that best fits your website's needs and update it to provide maximum security.

Best WordPress Backup Plugins

Reliance on specialized backup plugins is one of the best and simplest ways to protect your WordPress site from data loss or unexpected downtime. These plugins provide advanced tools to back up your site, files, and databases fully, with cloud storage and scheduling facilities. Each plugin is unique in terms of features and pricing, so be sure to choose the one that best suits your site. Below is a list of the most preferred WordPress backup plugins:

1. UpdraftPlus

One of the very commonly used and popular backup plugins.
Offers a free and a paid version with additional features.
Offers backup storage with multiple cloud storage providers like Google Drive, Dropbox, and Amazon S3.
Easy to use and simple with one-click restore.

2. BackupBuddy

Paid plugin that provides an integrated solution for backup and restoration.
Allows full and partial site backups.
Allows automatic scheduling of backups.
Offers secure external storage using BackupBuddy Stash or any other cloud provider.

3. Duplicator

Famous for providing all-in-one backup and site migration solutions.
Ideal for developers who need a complete site backup to migrate to another server.
Supports manual backups.
Supports a paid version with additional features like scheduling and cloud storage.

4. Jetpack Backup

Part of the popular Jetpack plugin but requires payment to activate backup.
Comes with real-time automatic backups.
Ideal for sites that require continuous monitoring and quick restoration.
Has premium features like restoring backups using mobile devices.

5. WPvivid Backup Plugin

Free plugin with add-on options for premium features.
Has automatic as well as manual backup support.
Supports cloud storage on more than one service like Google Drive and OneDrive.
Has simple site cloning and migration tools.

6. All-in-One WP Migration

Site migration is well-liked, but it also possesses detailed backup generation.
Very easy to operate for beginners due to its simplicity in UI.
Provides options to store backups on local servers or cloud services.

Choosing the Right Plugin

Selecting the right backup plugin depends on your site's size, technical requirements, and budget. It’s always recommended to use plugins that offer cloud storage and automated scheduling to minimize the risk of losing your backup. Additionally, regularly updating your plugins ensures protection against security vulnerabilities.

How to Set Up Automatic Backups for Your WordPress Site

Setting up automatic WordPress website backups is a vital process of securing and protecting your site in case of any issue. Automatic backup avoids manually backing up and guarantees that you always have a recent backup of your site information. This can be done easily and efficiently with the software and plugins available. The following are the processes to set up automatic WordPress website backups:

1. Install an Appropriate Backup Plugin ✅

Install a popular backup plugin like UpdraftPlus or BackupBuddy.
Navigate to your WordPress dashboard: Plugins > Add New.
Search for the plugin, install it, and activate it.

2. Access Plugin Settings ✅

After installation, a new plugin menu will appear on your dashboard.
Open the plugin settings to begin the setup process.

3. Set Up an Automatic Backup Schedule ✅

Choose a frequency for the backups that best suit your needs (daily, weekly, monthly).
For very dynamic sites, there must be a daily backup.
Ensure separate backups are stored for files and the database.

4. Set Backup Storage Location ✅

Plugins offer several storage options like:
Google Drive
Dropbox
Amazon S3
Local storage on the site's server (not advisable as a sole option).
Connect the plugin to your cloud storage account so that backups can be protected.

5. Test the Backup ✅

Manually backup to ensure all is in working condition.
Ensure the backup is located in the selected storage location.

6. Periodically Check Backups

Even with automatic backups configured, check occasionally to ensure the process is proceeding as anticipated.

With automatic backups configured, your site is protected against unexpected issues. Always use a stable, regularly updated plugin, and maintain multiple backups in different locations to secure maximum safety.

The Importance of Selecting a Secure Location for Backups

Selecting a secure location for WordPress backups is quite possibly the most critical factor in maintaining the integrity of your site's information. Even if you take backups on a regular basis, the location that you maintain them dictates the security and ease of restoring them when something goes wrong. Storing backups insecurely or in a single location exposes your data to danger, e.g., technical failures or hacking attacks. The following are the key reasons why choosing a secure location to store backups is important:

1. Protecting Data from Loss

Data backup in an insecure location or on a single computer increases the chances of losing data in the event the machine or server collapses. Data backup in cloud storage solutions like Google Drive or Dropbox ensures that data is safe even if the initial server collapses.

2. Preserving Security Against Incidents

If you keep your backups on the same server as your site, they can be hacked. Cloud backup services with inherent encryption offer additional security against any attacks.

3. Rapid Recovery When Necessary

Having backups stored in a secure and accessible environment, like Amazon S3 or OneDrive, means you have rapid access to your data whenever you need it, particularly when you experience sudden site problems.

4. Distributed Backup Storage

It is advised to backup in multiple locations, i.e., local storage and cloud storage. This way, backups remain intact even if one backup location is lost.

5. Historical Copies of Data

Most cloud storage services allow you to save copies of your previous data. That is, if new data becomes corrupted or troublesome, you can easily restore an older version.

6. Compliance with Laws

Some websites are required to comply with data protection and privacy legislation (e.g., GDPR). A secure location of storage assists with compliance by providing adequate data security features.

Choose a secure and safe backup storage location to avoid data loss or breaches. It is recommended to use cloud services with top-level encryption and store backups over multiple locations for maximum security.

How to Restore a WordPress Backup in Emergencies

Sometimes, you may encounter serious issues on your WordPress site, such as data loss, file alteration, or being hacked. Under such circumstances, restoration of the backup can bring your site back to its normal state and prevent time and effort loss. Restoration at the appropriate time ensures continuity and minimizes damage. The following steps guide you on how to restore a WordPress backup in case of emergency through different ways:

1. Verify the Backup Validity

Prior to restoring, confirm that your backup is current and complete. Ensure that the backup is stored at your desired location, e.g., Google Drive, Dropbox, or a local server.

2. Choose the Correct Restoration Method

Restoration via Plugin If you're using a plugin like UpdraftPlus or BackupBuddy, log in to your WordPress site, access the plugin, and walk through the wizard to restore the backup in one click.
Manual Restoration from Local Backup If the backup is local, transfer the files to the server using FTP and restore the database using phpMyAdmin.

3. Restore Files and Database

Restoring Files Transfer files from the backup into the proper folders on the server using FTP. Put the files back into their original positions.
Restoring the Database If the backup includes the database, restore it using phpMyAdmin or any other database management interface. Transfer the SQL file (backup) to the site's database.

4. Test Successful Restoration

Return to your site after restoring the backup to verify if it is running well and all data have been successfully restored. Make sure everything, including content and plugins, functions normally.

5. Reset DNS Settings if Necessary

If you moved the backup to a new server or restored it after some period of time, ensure the DNS configuration of the website is accurately set so visitors may access the recovered website without issues.

6. Notify Users and Stakeholders

In times of crisis, inform users or visitors affected by the downtime of the site about the recovery and successful restoration.

Restoration steps vary depending on how the backup was created (plugin or manual). Keep current regular backups in several locations to safeguard your data.

Steps to Restore a WordPress Site Using a Backup

Restoring a WordPress site using a backup is crucial to recover your site’s data and files in case of major errors or issues. If you’ve regularly created backups, restoring your site is straightforward. Below are detailed steps to restore your site using a backup, whether through a plugin or manually:

1. Verify Available Backup

Before you start, ensure that you have a good backup. Check where it is, either locally or on cloud storage such as Google Drive or Dropbox.

2. Install the Plugin (if Backup is via Plugin)

If you have backed up through a plugin such as UpdraftPlus or BackupBuddy, install the plugin on your WordPress website if you haven't already installed it.
Go to the WordPress dashboard, Plugins, and install and activate the appropriate plugin for restoration.

3. Restore Backup Using the Plugin

After having activated the plugin, go into its settings and locate the recovery or restore option.
Select which backup to be restored from those provided and select Restore.
The files and the database will get automatically restored using the plugin.

4. Manual Backup Restoration (If Not Using a Plugin)

Restore Files through FTP Restore the backup files to the proper server directories with FTP.
Restore Database Import the database backup using phpMyAdmin or another database management program via the hosting control panel.

5. Site Restoration Confirmation

Visit your site post-restoration to confirm all and data has been restored effectively. Check content, plugins, themes, and other aspects.

6. Update DNS Settings if Applicable

If you have moved the site to a new server or changed hosting settings, update the DNS settings to enable site access effectively.

7. Conduct Full Site Testing

Test all pages, forms, and user interactions to verify that everything functions as anticipated.

Regularly backing up and saving backups in multiple locations makes the restoration process easier and reduces possible downtime. Always perform extensive testing after restoring your site to verify full functionality.

Key Tips for Backing Up Your WordPress Site

⬅ Schedule Regular Backups

Make automatic backups routine so that no critical data is lost. With plugins like UpdraftPlus or BackupBuddy, this is easier and more accurate.

⬅ Save Backups in Two Locations

Don't use the local server to save backups alone. It's advisable to backup to cloud providers like Google Drive or Dropbox so that your data won't be lost on the server crash.

⬅ Test Backups Regularly

Test your backups from time to time by restoring them to a staging site. This verifies the backup is complete and the restoration process will execute without issues in times of urgency.

Conclusion 🔰

Backup your WordPress site is an essential process to protect your data and simplify restoring it in the event of an emergency. By choosing the right plugin, finding a secure storage location, and automating regular backups, you can protect your site from potential risks. A good backup is your initial defense against any threat.