Every website owner knows how important it is to keep their site secure. Server crashes, user errors, malicious hacking attacks - these are just some of the threats that can lead to the loss of valuable data. That's why creating regular WordPress backups is the cornerstone of protecting your site. In this step-by-step guide, we'll explain what a backup is, how to make one, and why it's worth remembering.
A WordPress backup is a full copy of all your website data that you can use in case of problems such as crashes or attacks. It consists of two basic components:
With a backup, you are assured that in the event of any problems you can quickly restore your site to its previous state, minimizing downtime and possible losses. This is a key part of managing any website – regardless of its size or purpose.
Backing up WordPress is one of the most important steps you can take to secure your website. Below you’ll find key reasons why regular backups are essential:
Server crashes, technical errors or accidental file deletion can lead to the loss of important content on your site. A backup allows you to recover everything – from blog posts to site settings – regardless of the cause of the problem.
Hacking attacks are one of the biggest threats to websites. Malware, ransomware or unauthorized access can cause irreversible changes to your site. By having a regularly updated backup, you can quickly remove malicious files and restore your site to a safe state.
Whether the problem is due to a server error, plugin updates or hosting issues, the ability to instantly restore your site from a backup helps minimize downtime. This is especially important for businesses that may be losing customers with every minute their site is unavailable.
There are many ways to back up WordPress, depending on your needs, technical skills and preferences. Below are the most popular methods to help you secure your site.
WordPress plugins are the most convenient way to create backups, especially if you don’t have advanced technical knowledge. Plugins allow you to automate the entire process, schedule backups and store them in the cloud. Here are some of the most popular tools:
How to do it step by step:
If you prefer full control over the process, you can perform a manual backup. Although it requires more involvement, it gives you confidence that everything went according to plan.
Create a copy of the site files via FTP:
Create an archive:
Proper storage of backups is just as important as their regular creation. Putting backups in the right place ensures data security and easy access in emergency situations. Below you will find the most popular and effective options for storing WordPress backups.
Storing backups on your computer is one of the basic solutions. A backup stored on a local drive allows quick access when needed. However, this method has its limitations – if your computer gets damaged or lost, you may lose your backup.
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The cloud is one of the safest and most flexible places to store backups. Services such as Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, or Amazon S3 allow you to store files in a secure environment that can be easily shared and synchronized.
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Storing backups on external FTP servers is an option for those who want full control over their data. In this case, you use your own server or space provided by your hosting provider.
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The best solution is to use several backup storage methods at the same time. For example: you can store one backup locally on your computer, another in the cloud, and a third on an external drive. This way you increase data redundancy and minimize the risk of total data loss.
Regular backups are a key part of managing your WordPress site. However, simply performing backups isn’t enough – it’s also important to follow best practices that increase the security and reliability of your data. Here are the most important rules to put into practice.
Backups should be systematic. The frequency of backups depends on the nature of your site:
Automating the schedule with plugins such as UpdraftPlus or All-in-One WP Migration, allows you to avoid manual backups, which saves time and eliminates the risk of forgetting to back up.
Not all backups are the same. It’s important to create full backups, which include both your site files (e.g. themes, plugins, images) and database. This is the only way you can be sure to restore your site in its entirety in the event of a disaster.
Don’t rely solely on a single backup storage location. You’ll get the best results by combining several methods:
Redundancy in storing backups minimizes the risk of losing them if one medium fails.
A backup is useless if it cannot be restored. Test your backups regularly to make sure they are complete and ready for use. You can do this on a backup installed on a test server or in a local environment.
Backups contain sensitive data of your site, including passwords and user data. To protect them:
If your site grows (e.g., you increase traffic, publish more content, add new features), adjust the frequency and method of backups. Make sure backups cover all new items, including, for example, customer data in your WooCommerce store.
In addition to regular, ongoing backups, it’s a good idea to keep some long-term backups (e.g. one copy of each month). This will allow you to recover data from a few weeks or months ago if a problem goes unnoticed for a long time.
If you run a large website or online store, consider using professional backup services that offer not only automatic backups, but also technical support for restoring them. Companies such as VaultPress (from Automattic) or Jetpack Backup offer comprehensive solutions.
Following best practices in backup is an investment in your site’s security. Regular, complete and properly secured backups stored in different locations are a guarantee of peace of mind and quick response in case of problems. Remember: it’s better to have a backup and never need it, than to need it and not have it.
1. How often should I back up my WordPress site?
It depends on how often you update your site. For blogs with daily updates or online stores, daily backups are recommended. For static sites, a backup every week or month is sufficient.
2. Does the hosting provide enough protection with its own backups?
Most web hosts offer automatic backups, but don’t rely solely on this service. Always keep your own backups in other locations (such as on your computer or in the cloud) for greater security.
3. Can I restore a backup to another server or domain?
Yes, most backup tools allow you to restore data to another server or domain. Plugins such as All-in-One WP Migration or Duplicator are especially good for site migrations.
4. What elements should I include in a backup?
A full backup should include all site files (themes, plugins, multimedia) and the database that contains content and site settings.
5. Does backing up slow down the performance of my site?
No, if you use a well-optimized backup plugin such as UpdraftPlus, the process takes place in the background and should not significantly affect your site’s performance. However, it is a good idea to schedule backups for hours with less traffic to avoid loading the server.
6. How long should I keep backups?
It is recommended to keep backups for at least several months. This way, if a problem is noticed late, you will be able to restore an earlier, working version of the site. You can keep several recent backups (e.g., daily, weekly and monthly) to have different restore points.
