How to Back Up Your WordPress Site

No website is immune to accidents or attacks, so it’s essential to back up your WordPress site regularly. Storing a complete copy of your website makes it easy to recover from any unexpected data loss.

Your WordPress site consists of website files and a database. The website files include themes, plugins, and media, while the WordPress database stores your content and settings, including posts and comments.

How to Back Up a WordPress Site Using the hPanel Backup Tool

The easiest way to back up WordPress is by using your hosting provider’s native backup tool. Our Managed WordPress hosting plans provide automatic backups for better peace of mind. To create a new backup on Hostinger, follow these steps:

Log in to hPanel using your Hostinger account.
Enter the Websites menu, find the website you want to back up, and click the Dashboard button.
Navigate to Files -> Backups from the left sidebar.
Select the Generate new backup option.
Once you see a confirmation pop-up, click Proceed.

Depending on the size and quantity of the data, the process can take up to a few hours. Then, you will have a brand new, full backup of your website’s files and database.

How to Back Up a WordPress Site Using a Plugin

With a plugin, you can back up website files and databases directly from your WordPress dashboard. Follow these steps to create a WordPress backup using UpdraftPlus:

Log in to your WordPress dashboard, then navigate to Plugins -> Add New Plugin.
Search for UpdraftPlus. Once you find the plugin, click Install Now, then Activate.
Navigate to the UpdraftPlus menu on the left sidebar of your WordPress dashboard.
Click the Backup Now button under the Backup / Restore tab.
A pop-up will appear, asking you to select which data you want to back up. Check both the files and database options to back up your entire WordPress site, and click Backup Now.

If you want to schedule automatic backups with UpdraftPlus, you can do so in the plugin settings.

How to Back Up a WordPress Site Manually

This involves manually accessing the location of your website files and database and downloading the data to your local computer. Follow these steps to back up your WordPress files using Hostinger’s File Manager:

Enter the Websites menu after logging in to hPanel.
Find the website you want to back up, and click the Dashboard button.
Open File manager.
Enter the public_html directory, and select all the files there.
Click the download icon at the top toolbar.
Select the file format you prefer, and the download will start automatically.

To back up your WordPress database, follow these steps using phpMyAdmin:

Navigate to the Websites menu in hPanel, and click the Dashboard button on the website you want to back up.
Choose the Databases menu and scroll to the List of Current MySQL Databases and Users section.
Find your site’s database name, and click the Enter phpMyAdmin button.
Once you enter phpMyAdmin, go to the Export tab.
Keep the settings as is, and click Export to download your database backup file.

Best Practices for Backing Up Your WordPress Site

Here are some best practices to ensure you can rely on your backups:

Do regular backups based on how often you update your website.
Store your backup files in multiple locations.
Secure sensitive backup data with passwords.
Regularly test your backup files to confirm they work correctly.

Backing up your WordPress site is like an insurance policy, protecting your data from unexpected problems. By following these methods and best practices, you can ensure that you are well-prepared for any issues that could disrupt your site.

For more information and a visual guide on backing up a WordPress website, you can visit Hostinger Academy.

Conclusion

Understanding how to back up your WordPress site is essential for safeguarding your data and minimizing downtime in unexpected circumstances. This guide has covered three simple ways to back up your site, along with best practices to ensure you can rely on your backups when you need them the most. By establishing a regular backup routine, you’ll be better prepared for any issues that could disrupt your site.

How to Back Up a WordPress Site FAQ

Does WordPress have a built-in backup tool? No, WordPress does not provide a native backup solution.
How do I restore my WordPress site from a backup? The easiest way is to use your hosting provider’s built-in backup tool or a plugin. Alternatively, you can restore your site manually by uploading your website backup files using File Manager and importing the SQL database backup file through phpMyAdmin.
How often should I back up my WordPress site? A good rule of thumb is to back up your WordPress site at least once a week. If you frequently update your site’s content, daily backups are even better. Whichever frequency you prefer, always back up your site before making any significant changes.

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