Welcome to a beginner-friendly guide on how to protect your WordPress website without spending a penny. In this tutorial, we’ll show you the simple steps for “How to Backup WordPress Site for Free”. By learning how to do this, you’ll be able to keep all your website’s important stuff safe and sound. Whether your site runs into problems or you accidentally mess something up, having a backup is like having a safety net to fall back on. So, let’s get started with the basics of backing up your WordPress site for free!
As a WordPress website owner, ensuring the safety and security of your content, themes, plugins, and customizations is paramount. Backing up your site regularly is a crucial practice that safeguards your data against unforeseen events such as hacking, data corruption, or server failures. In this detailed guide, we will walk you through the process of backing up your WordPress site for free using hpanel (if your hosting provider is Hostinger) and the UpdraftPlus plugin.
Why WordPress Backups Are Important?
WordPress backups are crucial for various reasons, and their importance aligns with the emphasis on customer service in logistics and supply chain management. Just as customer service ensures a smooth and efficient experience for clients, backups in the WordPress context also contribute to a seamless user experience. Here’s how they are related:
Data Security and Recovery:
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- Backups keep website info safe.
- Fast recovery from hacks or data issues.
- Smooth operations, like logistics.
Customer Trust and Satisfaction:
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- Backups build visitor trust.
- Safe info leads to happier users.
- Loyalty, like in logistics.
Minimizing Downtime:
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- Less delays, smoother flow.
- WordPress backups reduce downtime.
- Quick fixes for site issues.
Risk Management:
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- Backups prep for uncertainties.
- Ready for unexpected troubles.
- Like logistics planning.
Long-Term Sustainability:
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- Sustainable practices for success.
- Consistent backups for the site’s life.
- Safeguard investments, and stay relevant.
Back up WordPress Site Using hpanel of Hostinger
Using Hostinger’s managed WordPress hosting, you can easily back up and restore your site through the dedicated Backups feature in hPanel. This tool is much faster than manual methods and simplifies the entire process.
Creating a WordPress Backup
Follow these steps to back up your WordPress site:
- Log in to Hostinger and click Manage on your hosting account.
- Go to Files → Backups from the left sidebar.
- In the Generate new backup section, click Select.
- A pop-up will appear; click Proceed.
This will create a full backup of your website files and databases. Depending on your website’s size, the process may take a few hours.
Restoring WordPress Backups
To restore specific website files, follow these steps:
- Click Select in the Files backups section.
- Choose the desired date from the drop-down menu and click Next step.
- Check the files or directories you want to restore, or select the
public_htmlfolder to restore your entire WordPress site. - Click Restore files. To download your website backup to your local device, click Download all files.
Restoring Database Backups
If you need to restore just the database, here’s how:
- Click Select for Database backups.
- Choose the desired database from the drop-down menu and click Show databases.
- Select your preferred date from the backup options and click Restore. You can also click Download to save the database locally.
Restoring Your Website to a Specific Date
To restore both your website files and database in one click:
- Click Select in the Restore website section.
- Choose the backup date, then click Restore.
By following these steps, you can efficiently back up and restore your WordPress site using Hostinger’s hPanel, ensuring your data is always secure and accessible.
How to Backup WordPress Site for Free Using UpdraftPlus
UpdraftPlus Quick Overview
UpdraftPlus is a helpful tool for backing up your WordPress website. It’s like a digital safety net that keeps your important website stuff safe. With UpdraftPlus, you can easily make copies of your website’s content, like text, pictures, and settings. This is super handy because if something bad happens to your site, like a crash or a hack, you can use the backups to get things back to normal quickly. You can choose when and how often UpdraftPlus makes these backups, so you’re always prepared for any surprises. It’s a bit like having a superhero guardian for your website, ensuring that everything stays safe and sound.
If your focus is solely on backing up the media library, you can explore our guide about downloading the WordPress media library. This guide will assist you in obtaining only the media files from your website.
Installing the UpdraftPlus Plugin
- Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
- Navigate to “Plugins” > “Add New.”
- Search for “UpdraftPlus” and click “Install Now.”
- After installation, click “Activate” to activate the plugin.
Configuring UpdraftPlus for Free WordPress Site Backup
Configuring UpdraftPlus for Free WordPress Site Backup- Find “UpdraftPlus” in your WordPress dashboard and click on it.
- Go to “Settings” and select the “UpdraftPlus Backups” option.
- Here, you’ll find various settings for backup frequency, retention, and more.
Setting Up Manual Backup
Setting Up Manual Backup- In the “Current Status” tab, click the “Backup Now” button.
- Select the components you want to back up, such as themes, plugins, uploads, etc.
- Click “Backup Now” to initiate the manual backup process.
Do you know? The frequency of backups depends on how frequently you update your content and make changes to your website. As a general guideline, perform backups: Daily if your website’s content changes frequently. Weekly if your website is updated less frequently.
Setting up Automatic Scheduled Backup
- Head to the “Settings” tab and scroll to the “Files backup schedule” section.
- Choose how often you want automatic backups to occur (e.g., daily, or weekly).
- Save your settings and UpdraftPlus will automatically perform scheduled backups.
Select Remote Storage in Updraft Settings
- To prevent data loss in case your website’s server crashes, it’s recommended to store backups remotely.
- In the “Settings” tab, select your preferred remote storage option (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.).
- Follow the prompts to connect UpdraftPlus with your chosen storage service.
Restore Backup from UpdraftPlus
Sometimes there is an issue after an update for example Woocommerce Products Not Showing On Shop Page so, you’ll need to restore the backup. If you ever need to restore your website, go to the “Existing Backups” tab. Choose the backup you want to restore and click the “Restore” button. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the restoration process.
Troubleshooting UpdraftPlus: Updraft Is Stuck During Backup
- Sometimes, backup processes might get stuck due to various reasons.
- If this happens, try disabling conflicting plugins or increasing server resources.
- If the issue persists, seek help from UpdraftPlus support or WordPress forums.
Conclusion
Backing up your WordPress site using UpdraftPlus is a wise and essential practice to ensure the security of your valuable data. By following this detailed guide, you’ll be able to install, configure, and use UpdraftPlus effectively for both manual and automatic backups, giving you peace of mind and the ability to restore your site swiftly in case of any unexpected events. Remember, regular backups are your safety net in the unpredictable world of the internet.
FAQs – How to Backup WordPress Site for Free
Why do I need to back up my WordPress site?
Backups ensure your site’s safety. They protect against data loss, hacks, or errors, letting you restore your site quickly.
What’s the benefit of free WordPress backups?
Free backups save costs while providing essential protection. They’re accessible and easy to set up, making them ideal for beginners.
Can I back up my site manually without a plugin?
Yes, you can manually backup by exporting your database and saving your website files. However, plugins simplify the process and automate tasks.
Which free backup plugin should I use?
Popular options include UpdraftPlus, BackWPup, and Duplicator. Choose one that suits your needs, has good reviews, and is frequently updated.
Where should I store my backups?
Store backups offsite, away from your hosting server. Cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or Amazon S3 are excellent choices.
Can I schedule automatic backups with free plugins?
Yes, many free plugins offer scheduling options. You can set up backups to happen automatically, reducing the need for manual intervention.
Are free backup plugins reliable?
While free plugins are useful, paid options often offer more features and support. Choose a reputable free plugin that’s regularly updated.
How do I restore my site from a backup?
Most backup plugins allow easy restoration. Follow their instructions to import your backup files and restore your website.
Should I test my backups?
Yes, it’s a good practice. Regularly test restoring backups to ensure they work and your site can be recovered successfully.
Do free backup plugins have customer support?
Many free plugins offer limited support through forums or documentation. Paid options usually provide better and more responsive support.
What’s the difference between a full backup and a database backup?
A full backup includes all site files, plugins, themes, and the database. A database backup focuses only on your site’s content and settings.
Can I backup and restore only specific parts of my site?
Depending on the plugin, you might be able to select specific files, databases, or content to backup and restore.
Should I keep multiple backup versions?
Yes, it’s recommended. Keeping multiple versions gives you options if you need to revert to a specific point in time.
Are backups guaranteed to prevent all issues?
While backups greatly minimize risks, they can’t guarantee absolute prevention. Regular updates, security measures, and best practices are essential too.
