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WordPress is one of the most popular content management systems (CMS) used by millions of websites worldwide. It offers a wide range of features, functionalities, and customization options to help you create a stunning website with ease. However, as much as WordPress is reliable and robust, it’s also susceptible to various problems, including hacking, data loss, and website crashes.

This is why it’s crucial to backup your WordPress site regularly. A backup is a copy of your website’s files and databases, which can be used to restore your website to its original state in case of a problem. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll show you how to backup a WordPress site, both manually and using plugins, and give you tips on how to keep your backups safe and secure.

How to Backup a WordPress Site Manually

Manual backups are a great way to ensure that you have full control over your website’s data and can access it anytime, anywhere. Here’s how to backup a WordPress site manually:

  1. Backup Your WordPress Files

To backup your WordPress files, you’ll need to access your website’s file system using an FTP client like FileZilla. Once you’ve connected to your website, download all the files in the “public_html” folder to your computer. Make sure to select “Download” and not “Upload,” as uploading files to your website can overwrite your existing files and cause problems.

  1. Backup Your WordPress Database

The next step is to backup your WordPress database, which stores all the information about your posts, pages, comments, and settings. To backup your database, you’ll need to use a tool like phpMyAdmin. Most hosting providers include phpMyAdmin in their control panel, so check there first.

Once you’ve logged into phpMyAdmin, select your WordPress database from the list of databases on the left. Then, click on the “Export” button at the top. Select “SQL” as the format and click “Go.” This will download a .sql file to your computer, which is your WordPress database backup.

How to Backup a WordPress Site Using Plugins

Another option for backing up your WordPress site is to use a plugin. Plugins are a great option for those who don’t have much technical experience, as they automate the backup process and make it much easier. Here are some of the best plugins for backing up your WordPress site:

  1. UpdraftPlus

UpdraftPlus is one of the most popular backup plugins for WordPress, with over 2 million active installations. It allows you to schedule regular backups and store them in the cloud, on a remote server, or on your computer. The plugin also comes with a simple and user-friendly interface, making it easy to use even for beginners.

  1. BackupBuddy

BackupBuddy is another popular backup plugin for WordPress, with over 100,000 active installations. It offers a wide range of features, including automatic backups, website migrations, and malware scans. BackupBuddy also integrates with popular cloud storage services like Amazon S3, Dropbox, and Google Drive, making it easy to store your backups in the cloud.

  1. VaultPress

VaultPress is a premium backup plugin for WordPress, developed by the team behind WordPress itself. It offers real-time backups, security scans, and one-click restores, making it a great option for those who want the ultimate in backup protection. VaultPress is available as a paid service, with plans starting at $5 per month.

Tips for Keeping Your Backups Safe and Secure

Once you’ve created your backups, it’s important to keep them safe and secure. Here are some tips to help you do just that:

  1. Store Your Backups Offsite

Storing your backups offsite is crucial, as it helps to protect your data in case of a disaster or theft. Consider storing your backups in the cloud, on a remote server, or on an external hard drive that you keep in a secure location.

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  1. Encrypt Your Backups

Encrypting your backups helps to protect your data from prying eyes, as it makes it unreadable without a password. Most backup plugins and cloud storage services offer encryption options, so be sure to turn them on.

  1. Verify Your Backups Regularly

Verifying your backups regularly is essential, as it helps to ensure that they’re working as they should. You can do this by downloading your backups and checking that they’re complete and that they can be restored successfully.

  1. Schedule Regular Backups

Finally, it’s important to schedule regular backups so that you always have a recent copy of your website’s data. Most backup plugins allow you to schedule backups on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, so choose the schedule that works best for you.

Conclusion

Backing up your WordPress site is an important task that should be done regularly to protect your website from data loss and other problems. In this comprehensive guide, we’ve shown you how to backup a WordPress site manually and using plugins, and given you tips on how to keep your backups safe and secure.

So go ahead and start backing up your WordPress site today! You’ll thank yourself later if anything ever goes wrong.

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