To back up a WordPress site, you need copies of both the files (themes, plugins, uploads, wp-config.php) and the database (content and settings), stored off the server. The easiest way is a backup plugin such as UpdraftPlus scheduled daily or weekly to Google Drive or Dropbox, plus your host’s own backups. Test a restore at least once so you know the backup actually works.
- Back up files and database together.
- Store copies off the server (cloud storage).
- Daily for active stores, weekly for brochure sites.
- Back up before every update or big change.
- An untested backup is a hope, not a plan.
What are your backup options?
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Backup plugin to cloud | Easy, scheduled, off-site | Large sites can time out |
| Host backups | Automatic, fast restore | Stored with the host; retention varies |
| Manual (SFTP + database export) | Full control | Time-consuming, easy to forget |
| Managed backup service | Incremental, reliable | Monthly cost |
How do you set up a backup plugin?
- Install a backup plugin and connect cloud storage.
- Schedule files and database (daily or weekly).
- Keep several copies (for example the last 7 to 14).
- Run a first backup manually.
- Test a restore on a staging site.
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Why test a restore?
Imagine a site hacked on a Monday, and the owner discovers the backup plugin had been failing silently for three months because the cloud connection expired. A quarterly test restore would have caught it. Read how to use a staging site for safe testing.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I back up my WordPress site?
Use a backup plugin to copy files and database on a schedule to cloud storage, and keep your host backups too.
How often should I back up WordPress?
Daily for stores and busy sites, weekly for brochure sites, and always before updates.
Where should WordPress backups be stored?
Off the server, for example Google Drive, Dropbox or other cloud storage.
How do I restore a WordPress backup?
Use the backup plugin restore option or your host restore tool, ideally tested first on staging.
Sources
Live 1-to-1 WordPress and Elementor lessons on your own site, from $40. Every lesson recorded. Beginners welcome.
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Tanvir H is a Bangladesh-based WordPress and Elementor web designer with 7+ years of experience, 650+ projects and a 4.9 client rating. New websites, redesigns, fixes, speed, security and SEO, handled by one expert who explains everything in plain English and works with clients worldwide.
