How Do I Back Up My WordPress Website?

Key Highlights 

• Learn the essential difference between full and partial WordPress backups. 
• Discover proven methods to protect your website from cyber-attacks and data loss. 
• Master multiple backup techniques, including automated hosting solutions and manual methods. 
• Understand optimal backup timing and storage locations for maximum protection. 
• Explore real-world case studies showing how proper backups saved businesses from complete data loss. 

Imagine waking up to discover that your WordPress website, the backbone of your online business, has vanished overnight. This nightmare can happen to thousands of website owners who don’t keep backups. Losing years of work is something that definitely shouldn’t happen to you! 

Despite advances in web hosting reliability, such crashes still happen. Hackers strike, server crashes and human errors delete entire websites in seconds. In the worst cases, your site’s files could be lost forever.  

But there’s a simple way to prevent this digital nightmare – WordPress website backup. However, most people only realize they need backups after it’s too late. Don’t be one of them!  

In this guide, you’ll learn about the complete backup system that protects your WordPress site from possible disasters. We’ll reveal the exact methods, tools and strategies that keep websites running successfully. 

Want to ensure your website stays safe and recoverable? Let’s dive in. 

What is WordPress website backup?  

A WordPress website backup is a copy of the files needed for your website. This includes the core files for WordPress, any plugins or additions you made to the site and a copy of the backup WordPress database. In essence, it is a snapshot of your entire website that you can use to restore it if something goes wrong.  

WordPress database backups are critical, especially if you have an online store on WooCommerce. WordPress stores all its data (posts, page content, pictures, user accounts, etc.) in a central database. If this database is changed in the wrong way or deleted, your website will break down.  

If you have a backup of your site, you can restore the damaged parts and get your site back online right away.  

WordPress backups consist of two main components that work together: 

1. Files component: This includes all your website files stored on the server. Your themes, plugins, uploaded images, videos and custom code live here. The WordPress core files that make your site function are also part of this component. 
2. Database component: This contains all your dynamic content and settings. Your blog posts, pages, comments, user accounts and plugin configurations are stored in the database. Widget settings, customizer options and menu structures also live here. 

Both components are essential for a complete backup. A blank database without the files gives you an empty shell. On the other hand, if you have files but no database, it leaves you with content but no way to display it. 

Let’s look at the types of backups that you can choose from. 

What are the types of WordPress website backups? 

There are two main types of WordPress website backups: a full site WordPress backup and a partial WordPress backup. Before exploring them in detail, let’s compare these two backup types:  

Full backup vs. partial backup  

Feature	Full backup	Partial backup
What’s included	Everything (files + database)	Selected files or database only
Storage space	Large file sizes	Smaller file sizes
Backup time	Longer duration	Faster completion
Restore capability	Complete site restoration	Limited restoration options
Best for	Complete protection	Specific content updates

Both full and partial backup have their own place in the WordPress backup process. You must have a comprehensive idea of which to use when. Let’s look at these backup processes in detail. 

Full backups  

Full WordPress backups include all the files and data associated with your site, such as themes, plugins, media uploads and the database. A full WordPress backup allows for a complete restoration of the entire site.  

Advantages:  

1. Rapid restoration: Provides fast restoration to ensure efficient recovery.  
2. Simplified storage: Data is stored in a single version for easy storage management.  
3. Hassle-free version control: Enables seamless maintenance and restoration of various versions.  
4. Effortless file search: Facilitates easy and convenient searches for WordPress files.  

Disadvantages:  

1. High storage demand: Requires significant storage space compared to other methods.  
2. Lengthy backup times: Can be time-consuming depending on the size of WordPress files.  
3. Elevated cost: Additional storage needs contribute to higher expenses, making it costlier.  
4. Increased data loss risk: Concentrated data storage raises the vulnerability to data loss.  

Let’s look at, how partial backup fares in comparison. 

Partial backups  

Partially backing up a WordPress site focuses on specific elements of your WordPress site. This can involve backing up only the database, which contains essential website data like posts, pages, comments and settings.  

Alternatively, you can choose to back up only the files, which include themes, plugins and media uploads. Partial WordPress backup is useful when you want to restore specific components of your website without affecting the rest of the data.  

Advantages:  

1. Optimized storage usage: Files aren’t duplicated entirely, leading to efficient storage consumption.  
2. Swift backups: The backup process is exceptionally fast.  
3. Flexible recovery points: Frequent incremental backups create distinct recovery points.  

Disadvantages:  

1. Lengthy restoration: Data restoration takes time due to assembling from various backups.  
2. Dependency on backup files: Successful recovery relies on the integrity of all backup files.  
3. Complex file search: Restoring specific files requires searching through multiple backup sets.  

Why back up your WordPress site?  

Having a WordPress backup file for your website lets you quickly restore your website to full functionality, even if all of the files are removed from the server. You should always have a copy so you can restore it yourself and ensure that you can start your website again.   

Moreover, WordPress sites face constant threats that make backups essential for survival. Cybercriminals target WordPress because of its popularity and the valuable data these sites contain. 

Quick fact: 

According to Astra, 43% of cyber-attacks are targeted towards small businesses while only 14% are prepared to tackle them. 

WordPress sites represent attractive targets because many owners neglect basic security measures. Let’s look at the common WordPress vulnerabilities that can lead to such attacks. 

Common WordPress vulnerabilities 

• Plugin vulnerabilities: Outdated or poorly coded plugins create entry points for hackers to exploit. 
• Weak passwords: Using simple passwords like “123456” or “password” remains the top cause of successful WordPress attacks. 
• Outdated core files: Outdated core WordPress files leave sites vulnerable to known exploits.  
• Unsecured hosting: If you’re not using a security best practices, then your website will be easily exposed to vulnerabilities.  
• Malicious file uploads: Installing malicious files shared by hackers leads to an easy backdoor to your WordPress site.  

We’ll now look at the WordPress backup process itself. 

How to back up your WordPress website? 

Beyond hosting provider solutions, you can back up your WordPress site using plugins or manual methods. These alternatives offer more control over backup frequency, storage locations and restoration options. 

Different backup methods suit different needs and technical skill levels. Plugins provide user-friendly interfaces while manual methods offer complete customization control. 

Method 1: WordPress backup plugins 

WordPress backup plugins automate the backup process while giving you more control over hosting solutions. These plugins create scheduled backups and store them in multiple locations for maximum protection. 

Let’s look at a quick comparison of the several WordPress backup plugins available. 

Plugin	Free version	Storage options	Restore method
UpdraftPlus	Yes	7+ options	One-click
BackWPup	Yes	6+ options	Manual
Duplicator	Yes	5+ options	Migration tool

We’ll now explore the plugins in detail so that you can choose the one that best suits you. 

UpdraftPlus

Key features: 

• Daily, weekly or monthly backup schedules available 
• Multiple storage destinations including Google Drive, Dropbox, Amazon S3 
• Selective backup options for files, database, themes, plugins 
• Email notifications for backup completion status 

Best for: Use UpdraftPlus WordPress backup plugin for daily backups essential for active websites with frequent content updates. 

BackWPup 

Key features: 

• Granular control over backup components and scheduling 
• Multiple storage destinations for enhanced redundancy 
• Separate backup jobs for files and databases 
• Email alerts for successful completion and error notifications 

Best for: Users wanting detailed customization options and technical control over backup processes. 

Duplicator

Key features: 

• Complete site packages for migration and cloning 
• Cross-platform compatibility works with any hosting provider 
• Staging site creation for development and testing 
• One-file restoration simplifies complex migrations 

Best for: Moving backup files between different servers and creating staging sites. 

Plugin backup best practices:

• Test restoration procedures regularly to verify backup integrity 
• Monitor completion status through notifications and dashboards 
• Verify backup file integrity by downloading and examining contents 
• Keep plugins updated to maintain WordPress compatibility 
• Store credentials securely separate from WordPress installation 

Also read: The 12 best WordPress backup plugins for 2025 

Method 2: Manual backup methods 

Manual WordPress backups give you complete control but require technical knowledge. Best suited for developers and advanced users needing custom solutions. 

First, let’s quickly understand the advantages and disadvantages of the manual backup process. 

Advantages	Disadvantages
Complete control over timing and content	Technical expertise required
No plugin dependencies	Time-intensive process
Custom automation possible	Higher error probability

Core requirements: 

• FTP client software (FileZilla, WinSCP) 
• Hosting control panel access 
• Database credentials 
• Local storage space 

Let’s break down the different ways in which you can perform manual backup. 

1. Downloading website files (FTP Method) 

• Connect to hosting server using FTP credentials. 
• Navigate to WordPress directory (usually public_html). 
• Download the entire WordPress folder to the local computer. 
• Compress files into ZIP archives for organization. 

2. Exporting from database (phpMyAdmin) 

• Access phpMyAdmin through hosting control panel. 
• Select your WordPress database. 
• Choose Export tab → Quick export method. 
• Download SQL file containing complete database. 

3. Through content-only export (WordPress Dashboard) 

• Navigate to Tools > Export in WordPress admin. 
• Select “All content” for posts, pages and media. 
• Download XML file. 

Storage best practices 

• File naming: sitename_YYYY-MM-DD_v1.zip 
• Multiple locations: Cloud storage + external drives 
• Separate files: Keep database and file backups distinct 

Manual backup methods suit developers, agencies and advanced users who need custom solutions. However, most website owners benefit more from an automated plugin or hosting solutions. 

If you’re using Bluehost’s WordPress hosting, then you won’t have to go through any of these methods. We provide the most straightforward WordPress backup experience. 

How to easily back up your WordPress website using Bluehost? 

Bluehost provides automatic daily backups for all WordPress hosting accounts, making site protection effortless. You can access and restore these backups through your hosting control panel without technical expertise. 

Don’t want to lose your WordPress data? Choose Bluehost to get automated backups every day! 

In addition to daily automated backups, you can back up your WordPress website data anytime you want with just a few clicks. Here’s how: 

Step 1  

Access the WordPress backup panel by logging into the Bluehost Control Panel. Next, click on the Hosting tab in the left menu.  

Step 2  

If you have more than one site, you will see an overview of all of your sites here. Click on the Settings button for the website you want to create a backup of.  

Step 3  

You will see an overview of your site. There are multiple tabs you can click on, but you need the one that says “Backups.”  

Step 4  

In this Backups tab, you can create a new backup, simply by clicking on the blue button Create New Backup.  

Step 5  

You can also restore your site by using one of the previous backups. You will find the option when you click on the three dots on the right.  

With the optimum backup strategy up your sleeve, you’re all ready to safeguard your WordPress website. But when should you actually perform a backup? Let’s discuss. 

When to back up your WordPress website? 

You should backup your WordPress website before making any changes and maintain regular automated schedules based on your content update frequency. Critical backup timing prevents data loss during vulnerable periods. 

The frequency of WordPress backups depends on the dynamic nature of your website and the extent of its updates.  Timing your backups correctly ensures you always have recent, clean restore points available. Poor backup timing leaves gaps that can result in significant data loss. Let’s look at a quick breakdown of the ideal backup frequency for your use case. Here’s an overview of when you should create backups. 

Website type	Update frequency	Recommended backup	Storage duration
e-Commerce	Multiple daily	Daily	90 days
News/Blog	Daily posts	Daily	60 days
Business	Weekly updates	Weekly	45 days
Portfolio	Monthly changes	Weekly	30 days
Brochure	Rarely updated	Monthly	30 days

The above table gives an overall idea of how frequently you should back up your website. However, knowing the key backup trigger points will prevent you from unwanted loss of data.  

Before major changes: 

• WordPress core updates and version upgrades 
• Plugin installations, updates or configuration changes 
• Theme switches, customizations or major design modifications 
• Content additions like product launches or campaign pages 
• Security scans, malware removal or cleanup attempts 

Before technical operations: 

• Website migrations between hosting providers 
• Domain name changes or URL structure modifications 
• Database optimization or cleanup procedures 
• Server configurations or hosting plan upgrades 
• Third-party integrations or API connections 

Quick tip: Follow the backup trigger checklist before making any changes to your website. This ensures you have recent, tested backups available if something goes wrong. 

Proper backup timing creates a safety net that protects your website during vulnerable periods while maintaining reasonable storage costs and server performance. 

Where to store your backup files?  

You should store WordPress backup files in multiple secure locations to ensure access during various disaster scenarios. Diversified storage protects against single points of failure that could eliminate all your backups.  

Different storage locations offer unique advantages and face different risks. Smart backup strategies combine multiple storage types for maximum protection. Here’s an overview of all file storage types. 

Website type	Primary storage	Secondary storage	Emergency storage	Access speed
eCommerce	Cloud service	Local drive	Different cloud	Instant
Business	Hosting provider	Cloud service	Local backup	Fast
Blog	Cloud service	Hosting provider	USB drive	Medium
Portfolio	Hosting provider	Cloud service	Not needed	Medium
Personal	Free cloud	Local drive	Not needed	Slow

Quick tip: Never rely on single storage locations for critical backups. Diversified storage creates multiple recovery paths while balancing costs and accessibility requirements. 

Diversified backup storage like hard drive and cloud storage services create multiple recovery paths. This protects against various disaster scenarios while balancing costs and accessibility needs. 

How to restore from backup successfully? 

Restoring a WordPress backup can be a straightforward process, but the steps will vary depending on how the backup was created (manual or plugin-based). Here’s an overview of the processes to restore your WordPress site from a backup:  

Restore method	Speed	Difficulty	Success rate	Best for
Hosting control panel	Fast	Easy	90%	Hosting backups
Plugin one-click	Very Fast	Easy	95%	Plugin backups
Manual FTP/Database	Slow	Hard	80%	Manual backups

Let’s look at a detailed breakdown of all the restoration methods. 

1. Via hosting control panel (cPanel):  

1. Log in to your hosting control panel (for example, Bluehost, SiteGround, etc.).  
2. Locate the Backup section and find the file you want to restore.  
3. If you have a full backup (files and database), you’ll need to upload both to the appropriate directories. The database typically goes into the MySQL database area and the files go into the public HTML folder (or your site’s root directory).  
4. After uploading the backup files, you may need to import the database manually via phpMyAdmin.  

2. Using backup plugins 

1. If you use a WordPress backup plugin like UpdraftPlus or Jetpack for backups, log into your WordPress dashboard.  
2. Navigate to the backup plugin settings page and find the option to restore your backup.  
3. Select the backup you wish to restore (most plugins will list your backup history).  
4. Follow the plugin prompts to restore your website files and database.  

3. Restoring via FTP 

If you have a manual backup (e.g., via FTP or cPanel), use an FTP client like FileZilla to upload the file to the corresponding directories on your server.  

1. Upload all website files to the public_html folder.  
2. If your backup includes a database export, import the database via phpMyAdmin.  

Quick tip: Always create fresh backups before attempting restoration. This provides additional recovery options if the restoration process encounters problems or doesn’t achieve desired results. 

Finally, verify that your backup is working after restoration by testing key pages, posts and functionality. It’s best to restore the backup to a staging environment first to avoid affecting your live site.  

Successful backup restoration requires proper preparation and careful execution. By following the steps discussed you’ll be able to successfully restore your website without hiccups. However, if in case your backup process fails, you should be ready with the common trouble shooting steps.  

Also read: How to Survive Site Downtime: Recovery Plans & Uptime Tips 

How to troubleshoot common backup issues?  

While backing up your WordPress site is crucial, it’s not uncommon to encounter issues during the process. From incomplete backups to plugin conflicts, several factors can prevent backups from running smoothly. Here are the most common backup issues and how to troubleshoot them:  

Why your backup might fail?  

There are a few reasons why your WordPress backup may fail. Here are the most common causes:  

1. Storage limitations: Files for backup can be large, especially for sites with a lot of media or content. If your hosting account or backup destination (like cloud storage) has limited space, the backup process might not be complete.  

Solution: Check the available storage space on your hosting plan or backup destination. If you’re nearing your limit, you may need to upgrade your storage or delete unnecessary files.  

2. Server timeouts: Some backups take a long time to complete and if your hosting provider has strict server time limits, the backup process may be cut off before it finishes.  

Solution: Try breaking your backup into smaller parts (e.g., backup your files first, then your database). Alternatively, you could schedule backups during off-peak hours to avoid server timeouts.  

3. Plugin conflicts: Certain WordPress plugins, especially those that deal with caching or security, can interfere with backup processes. Conflicts between plugins can cause incomplete backups or even crashes during the backup process.  

Solution: Disable non-essential plugins temporarily while you run a backup. If you identify a conflicting plugin, check for updates or consult the plugin developer for a solution. In some cases, using a different WordPress plugin might resolve the issue.  

4. Corrupt database: If your website database has errors or corrupt tables, the backup may fail, especially if you’re using a plugin that attempts to back up the entire database at once.  

Solution: Use a database repair tool, like the one built into WordPress (navigate to wp-admin/maint/repair.php) to fix the database before attempting a backup.  

5. Memory limits: WordPress may have insufficient PHP memory allocated for running a backup, particularly on shared hosting plans with limited resources.  

Solution: Increase your PHP memory limit by adding the following line to your wp-config.php file: define (‘WP_MEMORY_LIMIT’, ‘256M’);  

If you’re on shared hosting and unable to change server settings, reach out to your hosting provider to request a memory increase.  

How to resolve plugin conflicts during backups? 

Sometimes, even the best WordPress backup plugins can interfere with your backup process. This is particularly common when using security, caching or optimization plugins. Here’s how you can handle plugin conflicts during backups:  

1. Disable all plugins: Temporarily deactivate all plugins before running a backup to check if any of them are causing conflicts. If the backup works fine after deactivating all plugins, you can activate them one by one to identify the culprit.  
2. Update your plugins: Outdated plugins can sometimes conflict with backup processes. Make sure all your plugins are up to date. If the issue persists, check the plugin developer’s site for known issues or contact support.  
3. Use an alternative backup plugin: If you find a plugin conflict that can’t be resolved, consider switching to a different backup plugin. Popular backup plugins like UpdraftPlus, BackupBuddy or Jetpack are known for being compatible with most WordPress sites.  
4. Check for caching issues: Some caching plugins (e.g., W3 Total Cache or WP Super Cache) might cache data during backups, causing the backup process to freeze or fail. Temporarily disable caching while performing the backup, then re-enable it once the process is complete.  

Best practices for managing WordPress backups  

Proper management of your WordPress backups is essential for ensuring that you can quickly restore your site in case of issues. Following best practices can help you avoid common pitfalls and ensure your backups are reliable cloud storage options. In this section, we discuss the key strategies for effectively managing WordPress backups.  

1. For storing backup files 

Choosing the right storage solution for your backups is crucial. The main options are cloud storage and local storage (i.e., on your hosting server or a physical device). Each has its pros as well as cons and many experts recommend using a combination of both.  

Cloud storage

Cloud storage solutions, like Google Drive, Dropbox, Amazon S3 or specialized services for WordPress backups services, offer several advantages:  

• Offsite storage: Cloud backups are stored offsite, meaning they are safe even if something happens to your hosting provider or server. If your website goes down due to a server issue or hacking, you can still restore from a cloud-based backup.  
• Accessibility: You can access your backups from anywhere and from any device, making it easy to restore your site if you’re on the go.  
• Scalability: Cloud storage is highly scalable, allowing you to store large backups without worrying about running out of space.  
• Reliability: Many cloud services offer high uptime and redundancy, meaning your backup will be safe even in case of server failures.  

Local storage 

Local storage involves saving backups on the same server or a physical device like an external hard drive. It has a few advantages but also some significant risks:  

• Faster access: Local backups can be quicker to restore since they are physically closer to your website, especially if the backup is stored on the same hosting server.  
• Lower cost: If you’re only storing backups locally on your hosting server, you may save on cloud storage fees.  

However, local storage has notable downsides:  

• Risk of data loss: If something happens to your hosting provider’s server or your physical device (for example, a hard drive failure or server crash), you could lose your backups.  
• Limited accessibility: You can only access local backups from the server where they are stored, which can be inconvenient if you’re traveling or working remotely.  

Best practice: Use both cloud and local storage. Store a copy of your backup on your hosting provider server for fast access and another copy in the cloud for offsite security. This approach ensures you have redundancy in case of data loss or server issues.  

2. For scheduling regular backups  

Scheduling regular backups is one of the most effective ways to ensure your WordPress site is always protected. Depending on how often you update your content or make changes to your site, you may want to set up backups on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.  

Key considerations for scheduling backups:  

• Frequency of updates: If you’re adding new content frequently (e.g., blog posts, media), consider scheduling daily backups. If you’re running an online store, a daily or even multiple backups per day may be necessary to capture product inventory changes, customer orders or payments.  
• Major changes: If you’re making significant changes to your website, like updating themes, it’s best to back up your site before and after.  
• Traffic and usage patterns: High-traffic websites may benefit from more frequent backups, especially if you’re making frequent updates or hosting dynamic content (like forums, eCommerce or membership sites).  

Best practice: Use a WordPress backup plugin or service that allows you to automate backups on a schedule. This way, you don’t need to remember to back up manually every time you make a change. Popular WordPress plugins like UpdraftPlus, BackWPup and Jetpack offer customizable backup schedules that allow you to set daily, weekly or even hourly backups, depending on your needs.  

3. For automating backup notifications  

Automating backup notifications is an excellent way to ensure you never forget that a backup was completed or catch any potential errors in the backup process. Backup notifications can alert you if a backup has failed, if it was successful or if it’s time to run a new one.  

Why automating notifications matter?  

• Stay informed: Automated notifications ensure you are always in the loop about the status of your backups, so you don’t have to manually check or wonder if they’re happening as scheduled.  
• Instant issue alerts: If there’s an issue with the backup process, such as a failure to complete, you’ll be notified right away. This allows you to take action quickly to fix the problem before your site runs into issues.  
• Peace of mind: Knowing that your backups are happening regularly and that you’re being notified of any issues gives you peace of mind that your site’s data is always protected.  

Best practice: Enable email notifications for backup events, such as:  

• Successful backup completion: This confirms that your backup went as planned.  
• Backup failure: If a backup fails, the notification should include troubleshooting steps or links to help resolve the issue.  
• Backup summary: For sites with many changes, consider receiving a summary of the latest backup, including what files were backed up.  

Many popular WordPress backup plugins like UpdraftPlus and Jetpack have built-in email notifications, so you don’t need to manually set up anything. If you’re using a third-party backup service, check if they offer SMS or email notifications to keep you updated.  

Final thoughts  

Your WordPress website represents countless hours of work and investment. One security breach, server crash or human error can destroy everything in seconds. 

Don’t wait until disaster strikes to implement backup protection. Every day without backups puts your entire website at risk of permanent loss. Start with simple automated solutions and build comprehensive backup systems that match your website’s importance. 

Bluehost WordPress Hosting includes daily automatic backups, one-click restoration, and 24/7 expert support.  

Ready to protect your WordPress site? Choose Bluehost WordPress Hosting today!

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