How to Back Up a WordPress Website the Right Way
Ever logged into your WordPress site and found it broken? Or made a change that crashed everything? If you’re nodding right now, you’re not alone. That sinking feeling when your site goes down is something no website owner should have to experience. And honestly? That’s where backups come in.
In my years of managing WordPress sites, I’ve learned that backups aren’t just a “nice-to-have” – they’re absolutely essential. A proper backup strategy is the difference between a minor inconvenience and a complete disaster. Yet most WordPress users either don’t back up at all or do it incorrectly.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about backing up your WordPress site properly. No fluff, no sales pitch – just practical advice that could save your business one day.
Why Backing Up Your WordPress Site is Non-Negotiable
Let’s talk about why backups matter before diving into the how. Here are some real scenarios where a backup would save the day:
- Your site gets hacked and malicious code is injected
- A plugin update conflicts with your theme and breaks your site
- You accidentally delete important content
- Your hosting provider experiences data loss
- Human error (we’ve all been there)
The cost of not having a backup extends beyond just lost content. Consider the potential revenue loss from downtime, the damage to your brand reputation, and the time spent rebuilding everything from scratch.
Most people think disaster won’t strike them – until it does. And trust me, recovering a WordPress site without a backup is often impossible or extremely expensive.
What Makes a Good WordPress Backup
Not all backups are created equal. A proper WordPress backup should include:
- Database backup: This contains all your posts, pages, comments, and settings
- Files backup: This includes your theme files, plugins, and uploaded media
- Regular scheduling: Automated backups that happen on a consistent schedule
- Reliable storage: Backups stored in multiple, secure locations
- Easy restoration process: The ability to quickly restore your site when needed
The most common mistake I see is people backing up only their database or just their files – but not both. You need the complete package to fully restore a WordPress site.
WordPress Backup Methods Compared
Let’s look at the primary ways to back up your WordPress site:
| Method | Pros | Cons | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plugin Solutions | Easy to use, automated, customizable | Some free versions have limitations | Most WordPress users |
| Manual Backups | Free, complete control | Technical knowledge required, not automated | Developers, technical users |
| Hosting Backups | Convenient, often included | Limited control, potential additional costs | Supplementary backup |
| Third-Party Services | Highly reliable, independent of your site | Monthly costs | Business websites |
As you can see, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. The best approach often combines multiple methods to ensure redundancy.
Top WordPress Backup Plugins Worth Considering
1. UpdraftPlus
UpdraftPlus remains one of the most popular backup plugins, and for good reason. It offers a robust free version that lets you manually create backups and store them in various cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and Amazon S3.
What makes it stand out:
- Intuitive interface that’s easy for beginners
- Flexible scheduling options
- Incremental backups in the premium version
- Direct restoration from the WordPress dashboard
The free version is sufficient for basic needs, but the premium version (around $70/year) adds features like incremental backups, migration, and more storage options.
2. BackupBuddy
Unlike many competitors, BackupBuddy doesn’t offer a free version, but it’s been a trusted solution for over a decade. It’s a premium-only plugin with prices starting at around $80/year.
Standout features:
- Complete backup solution out of the box
- ImportBuddy tool for easy restoration
- Malware scanning included
- Site migration capabilities
BackupBuddy is particularly great for agencies or developers managing multiple WordPress sites.
3. JetPack Backup
If you’re already using Jetpack, their backup service offers real-time backups – meaning every change is backed up immediately. This is powerful for sites with frequent updates.
Key benefits:
- Real-time backup capability
- One-click restoration
- Activity log to track changes
- 30-day backup archive
The downside? It’s one of the more expensive options, starting at around $96/year just for the backup features.
4. All-in-One WP Migration
For those looking for a simple backup solution that also handles migration well, All-in-One WP Migration is worth considering. The free version has size limitations, but it’s straightforward to use.
Highlights:
- Export site with one click
- Easy import to another WordPress installation
- Filter out unnecessary data
- Compatible with most hosting environments
The simplicity makes this great for smaller sites or those who need occasional manual backups.
How to Implement a Manual Backup (For the Tech-Savvy)
If you prefer to handle things yourself or want an additional layer of security, here’s how to manually back up your WordPress site:
Database Backup
- Log into your hosting control panel (usually cPanel)
- Find the phpMyAdmin tool and select your WordPress database
- Click on “Export” at the top of the page
- Choose “Custom” export method for more control
- Select all tables beginning with your WordPress prefix (usually wp_)
- Choose compression format (SQL is standard)
- Click “Go” to download your database backup
Files Backup
- Connect to your server via FTP using a client like FileZilla
- Navigate to your WordPress installation directory
- Download all files to your local computer
- Pay special attention to the wp-content folder, which contains your themes, plugins, and uploads
Pro tip: Create a system for naming your backup files with dates to stay organized. Something like “wp-backup-files-2025-05-20.zip” is clear and sortable.
Creating a Bulletproof Backup Strategy
Having the tools is one thing – implementing a smart strategy is another. Here’s what I recommend:
1. Determine Your Backup Frequency
How often should you back up? Consider:
- How frequently your content changes
- How much data you can afford to lose
- Your site’s traffic and importance
For a typical business site, I recommend:
- Daily database backups
- Weekly full site backups
- On-demand backups before major changes (like plugin updates or theme changes)
2. Implement the 3-2-1 Backup Rule
This is the gold standard of backup strategies:
- 3 copies of your data
- 2 different storage types
- 1 copy off-site
In practice, this might mean:
- A backup on your hosting server
- A backup on your local computer
- A backup in cloud storage (like Google Drive or Dropbox)
3. Test Your Backups Regularly
This is where most backup strategies fail. You must periodically verify that your backups actually work by:
- Downloading and inspecting backup files
- Setting up a staging site and attempting restoration
- Documenting the restoration process for emergencies
I recommend testing your backup restoration process at least quarterly.
Automating Your WordPress Backup Process
The best backup is one you don’t have to remember to do. Here’s how to automate:
Using Cron Jobs (for manual backups)
If you’re technically inclined, you can set up cron jobs on your server to run backup scripts automatically. This requires command line knowledge but gives you complete control.
Basic cron job example for database backup:
0 2 * * * mysqldump -u username -ppassword database_name > /path/to/backup/database-$(date +%Y%m%d).sql
Scheduled Plugin Backups
Most backup plugins offer scheduling features:
- Set up daily or weekly backups
- Configure retention settings (how many backups to keep)
- Set up email notifications for backup status
Off-Site Automation
Don’t just store backups on your server! Configure automatic uploads to:
- Cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.)
- FTP servers
- Email (for smaller sites)
Remember: Automation isn’t set-it-and-forget-it. Check periodically that your automated backups are still running correctly.
Can I Back Up My WordPress Website Before Deploying It for Free with Netlify?
Backing up your WordPress website is essential before making any changes. Fortunately, you can easily deploy your website at no cost with Netlify. By using appropriate plugins and tools, you can secure your content while enjoying the streamlined deployment process Netlify offers, ensuring a smooth transition for your website.
Restoring Your WordPress Site From a Backup
Knowing how to restore is just as important as backing up. Here’s the general process:
Database Restoration
- Access phpMyAdmin through your hosting control panel
- Create a new database or select your existing one
- Select the “Import” tab
- Choose your SQL backup file
- Click “Go” to import the database
Files Restoration
- Upload your backed-up files via FTP
- Ensure file permissions are set correctly (typically 755 for folders, 644 for files)
- Update the wp-config.php file if necessary with the correct database details
Using Plugin Restoration
If using a backup plugin:
- Install WordPress fresh (if completely rebuilding)
- Install your backup plugin
- Upload your backup file through the plugin interface
- Follow the restoration wizard
Common WordPress Backup Mistakes to Avoid
Learning from others’ mistakes can save you a lot of headache:
- Storing backups only on your server (if the server fails, you lose everything)
- Not backing up both files AND database
- Never testing the restoration process
- Setting and forgetting your backup solution without monitoring
- Not having enough backup history (keeping only the latest backup)
- Forgetting to back up before updates
Conclusion
Backing up your WordPress site isn’t just technical maintenance – it’s insurance for your digital presence. While it might seem like an unnecessary step when everything’s running smoothly, a proper backup strategy becomes invaluable the moment something goes wrong.
Start with the easiest solution for your technical comfort level, but make sure you implement something. A simple backup plugin is infinitely better than no backup at all. And remember – the goal isn’t just to have backups, but to have backups you can actually restore from when needed.
What’s your backup strategy? Have you ever had to restore from a backup? Share your experiences in the comments!
