Backing up your WordPress site is one of the most important tasks you can do to protect your content, your business, and your user data. Yet, many site owners skip it until disaster strikes.
In this guide you’ll learn:
Why regular backups are essential
What components must be backed up
How to schedule automated backups (via plugin, host, or manual)
How to restore your site safely when things go wrong
Best practices to reduce risk and downtime
If you need help setting up or maintaining your site, visit our WordPress Website Design service page.
Why Backups Are Critical
Here are some situations where a backup can save you:
A plugin or theme update breaks your site
Accidental data deletion (pages, posts, media)
Security breach or malware infection
Hosting server failure or corruption
You want a safe rollback point before major changes
Without a reliable backup, recovering from these becomes much harder and more time consuming.For additional guidance on maintaining your website, see our article WordPress Maintenance Tips.
What Makes a Complete WordPress Backup
A full backup should cover two core parts:
Database – contains posts, pages, users, settings, plugin data
Files – includes your wp-content folder (themes, plugins, uploads), plus WordPress core files and configuration files such as wp-config.php
If you miss either part, your restore will be incomplete. Many backup plugins let you back up only the database or only files, but always aim for a full backup.
You can learn more about WordPress Plugins and how they extend site functionality.
Methods for Regular WordPress Backups
You have three main approaches. Each has pros and trade-offs.
1. Backup via Plugin (Recommended for most users)
A plugin automates backup of both files and database, often with scheduling and remote storage. Some popular choices:
UpdraftPlus (free + premium) – one of the most widely used. (wpmarmite.com)
BackWPup – solid free version with cloud storage options. (ionos.co.uk)
WP Time Capsule – incremental backups
BlogVault – robust solution for large or complex sites (blogvault.net)
We have a related post in our DCP blog: Best WordPress Backup Plugins.
How to set it up (using UpdraftPlus as example):
Install and activate the plugin via “Plugins → Add New”.
Go to Settings → UpdraftPlus Backups.
In Settings, choose backup schedule (e.g. daily, weekly) for files & database.
Select a remote storage (Dropbox, Google Drive, Amazon S3, etc.).
Run a test backup manually.
Check the backups appear in the “Existing Backups” section.
Having backups stored off your main server is safer (in case the server fails).
For help optimising your hosting setup, read WordPress Hosting: A Comprehensive Guide.
2. Host / Server Backup
Many hosting providers include periodic backups (daily, weekly). These are useful, but you should not rely on them entirely. Hosts may only retain backups for a short time or overwrite them without notice.
Check your hosting control panel (cPanel, Plesk or custom panel) for backup / restore options.
If your host offers a “one-click restore” feature, that can be handy in emergencies.
3. Manual Backups (Advanced / fallback method)
Doing things manually gives you full control but requires care.
Steps to manually back up:
Download all files via FTP / SFTP or hosting file manager
Export the database using phpMyAdmin or via command line (mysqldump)
Store both the archive of files and the .sql database export in a safe location (offsite, cloud, local drive)
You should repeat this regularly (weekly or more often) if you choose this method.
How to Restore Your WordPress Site Safely
When something goes wrong, restoring your backup is your lifeline. There are two main restore methods: plugin-based and manual.
1. Restore with a Backup Plugin
If you used a plugin like UpdraftPlus, restoring is straightforward:
Log into your WordPress dashboard.
Go to UpdraftPlus → Backup / Restore.
Find the backup you want in “Existing Backups”.
Click “Restore”.
Select which components to restore (plugins, themes, uploads, database).
Confirm and let the plugin run its process.
Check your site after the restore.
If it fails halfway, try restoring components one by one (e.g. database first). (teamupdraft.com)
Always perform a fresh backup before restoring, just in case.
For related security advice, see Best WordPress Security Plugins: Comprehensive Guide.
2. Manual Restore
Use this when the plugin method fails or if you didn’t use a plugin.
Steps:
Download your backup files (if stored remotely)
Delete or move existing files (except maybe wp-config.php)
Upload backup files via FTP or file manager
Restore the database – Import the .sql file using phpMyAdmin
Adjust wp-config.php if database details changed
Check file permissions and clear cache
Test your site thoroughly
A detailed guide is available at (teamupdraft.com).
To improve your website performance after restore, review 14 Tips to Speed Up Your WordPress Website.
Best Practices for Backup & Restore
To reduce risk and downtime, follow these tips:
Backup frequently – daily or more for high-traffic sites
Use offsite storage (cloud, external server)
Keep multiple backups, versioned
Test restores occasionally
Backup before updates (themes, plugins, core)
Get email alerts for failed backups
Secure backup files (restrict access, encrypt if possible)
Delete old backups to save storage
Keep backup plugins updated
To learn how to keep your WordPress site secure and efficient, check How to Secure Your WordPress or Magento Site.
Troubleshooting Common Restore Issues
| Issue | Likely Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Restore fails mid-way / times out | Server timeout or memory limits | Increase PHP memory / time limits; restore components separately |
| Database connection error | Wrong DB credentials | Check database name, user, password, host |
| Missing media / uploads | Uploads folder not restored | Re-import uploads from backup |
| White screen / errors | Plugin/theme conflict | Re-upload core files or disable plugins |
| Broken URLs | URL mismatch | Use search/replace or update URLs in database |
For extra optimisation, read The Complete Checklist for Optimising Your WordPress Website for SEO.
Sample Restore Walkthrough (Using UpdraftPlus)
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Login to WP admin → UpdraftPlus
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Locate yesterday’s backup
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Click “Restore”
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Select all components (database, plugins, themes, uploads)
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Wait while plugin restores files
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Check the site for functionality
If something breaks, try a different restore point.
You can also learn how to update WordPress properly with How to Enable Auto Updates on WordPress.
Useful DCP Resource Links
Useful External Resource Links
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How often should I back up my WordPress site?
It depends on how often your content changes. For active sites updated daily, schedule daily backups. For small business or brochure sites, weekly backups may be enough. Use a plugin like UpdraftPlus for automation.
Where should I store my WordPress backups?
Always store backups offsite, such as on Google Drive, Dropbox, or Amazon S3. Never keep them only on your hosting server. Remote storage prevents total loss if the server crashes.
Can I back up my WordPress site without a plugin?
Yes. You can manually back up by exporting your database via phpMyAdmin and downloading files using FTP. However, using a backup plugin simplifies scheduling and reduces errors.
How do I restore my site if it’s been hacked?
Restore a clean backup created before the hack. Update all themes, plugins, and passwords. Then install a security plugin such as Wordfence or Sucuri, and review our guide on Best WordPress Security Plugins.
What’s the safest WordPress backup plugin?
UpdraftPlus and BlogVault are among the most trusted. Both support automatic scheduling, offsite storage, and one-click restoration. Read more in our article Best WordPress Backup Plugins.
Do managed WordPress hosts provide automatic backups?
What should I do if my restore fails?
If the restore fails, check your server limits, PHP memory, and file permissions. Try restoring the database and files separately or contact your hosting support for assistance.
How do I test that my backup works?
What’s the best time to schedule backups?
Schedule backups during low-traffic hours (for example, late night or early morning) to reduce server load and avoid slowing your live site during backup creation.
How can DCP Web Designers help with WordPress backups?
Summary
Backing up and restoring your WordPress site safely is vital for business continuity. For most users, a plugin like UpdraftPlus provides a reliable and easy method.
Make backups before updates, store them offsite, and test your restores regularly.If you’d like help setting up a secure website or backup strategy, contact DCP Web Designers or explore our Business Website Design service.
