Backing up your WordPress website is essential to protect your content and data from unexpected issues, such as server crashes or hacking attempts. In this guide, we’ll walk you through both manual and automatic backup methods, so you can choose the one that best fits your needs.
Why Should You Backup Your WordPress Website?
Regular backups ensure that you can restore your website in case of data loss, security breaches, or server issues. Having a backup gives you peace of mind knowing your website is safe, and recovery will be easier if something goes wrong.
Manual Backup of Your WordPress Website
You can manually back up your WordPress website by saving two essential components: your website files and your WordPress database.
Step 1: Backup Your Website Files
1.Log in to cPanel: Access your hosting account’s cPanel by logging into your Client Area at wphostinghub.com.
2.Open the File Manager: Inside cPanel, go to the File Manager under the Files section.
3.Navigate to Your Website’s Root Directory: Locate the public_html folder (or your website’s root directory), where your WordPress files are stored.
4.Select All Files: Click on the Select All button or manually select all the WordPress files, including hidden files like .htaccess.
5.Create a Compressed Archive: After selecting the files, click the Compress option and choose Zip Archive to create a backup of your website files.
Step 2: Backup Your WordPress Database
1.Log in to phpMyAdmin: In cPanel, navigate to phpMyAdmin under the Databases section.
2.Select Your Database: From the left sidebar, select the WordPress database associated with your website.
3.Export Your Database: Click on the Export tab at the top of the screen. Choose the Quick export method and select SQL as the format.
4.Download the Backup: Click the Go button to download the database backup to your computer.
Now, you have a backup of both your website files and database, which you can restore later if needed.
Automatic Backup of Your WordPress Website
Automating your WordPress backups ensures that you don’t forget to back up your site regularly. You can use plugins or your hosting provider’s tools to schedule backups.
Step 1: Use a Backup Plugin
1.Install a Backup Plugin: Log in to your WordPress dashboard at yourdomain.com/wp-admin. Go to Plugins > Add New and search for a reliable backup plugin like UpdraftPlus or BackupBuddy. Install and activate the plugin.
2.Configure Backup Settings: After activation, navigate to the plugin settings. You can choose how often you want to back up your website (e.g., daily, weekly, monthly) and where to store the backups (cloud storage options like Google Drive, Dropbox, or remote servers).
3.Schedule Automatic Backups: Set up the plugin to automatically back up your website and database at the interval you prefer. Ensure the backup includes both your files and database.
Step 2: Use Hosting Provider Tools
If you prefer using a more hands-off approach, many hosting providers offer automatic backups through cPanel or other control panels. Here’s how you can enable them:
1.Log into cPanel: Access your hosting account’s cPanel by logging into your Client Area at wphostinghub.com.
2. Find Backup Options: Look for Backup or Backup Wizard in the Files section.
3.Enable Automatic Backups: If your hosting provider supports it, you may be able to schedule automatic backups of your website files and database directly from cPanel.
Conclusion
Whether you back up your WordPress website manually or automatically, having regular backups in place is crucial for protecting your data. By following the steps above, you’ll ensure that your website is safe, and you can restore it quickly if needed.
Need Assistance? If you encounter any issues during the backup process or need help, feel free to contact our support team through your Client Area.
