How to Backup WordPress Website?

ForexAdvantage
(@forexadvantage)

12 years, 11 months ago

Hi all,

My website is http://www.forexadvantage.info.

This is the strategy that I have used to backup my WordPress websites so far. But I’m not sure if that is right or wrong:
1. Access Cpanel > File manager
2. Compress the folder www to a zip file
3. Download the zip file to my computer and store it at a safe place

For this backup strategy, if I need to restore my website, I will upload the zip file from my computer to the server, then extract it to get a preferred www folder. However, this is just the theory, since I have never restored my website.

Could you please let me know if this way is right or wrong? And if it’s right, what are pros and cons? Or are there better methods that I should use?

Thank you very much.

Viewing 12 replies - 1 through 12 (of 12 total)

esmi
(@esmi)

12 years, 11 months ago

You’re not backing up your site’s database (where most of your site’s content is stored), so what you are doing now won’t be of much use if you do have to restore the site. A number of different ways of backing up your database are outlined on WordPress_Backups.

Thread Starter ForexAdvantage
(@forexadvantage)

12 years, 11 months ago

Thank you esmi.

Here is what I understand from the link you provide:
Backup WordPress website = backup files (1) + backup database (2)

What I have done so far is just (1), while the important (2) is totally lacked. Am I right?

Thanks.

esmi
(@esmi)

12 years, 11 months ago

Correct. In terms of backing up files, the only things you really need to backup are:
– the wp-content folder
– the wp-config.php file in the WP root folder
– the .htaccess file in the WP root folder

Thread Starter ForexAdvantage
(@forexadvantage)

12 years, 11 months ago

Thanks for the instruction.

My plan is to search for a reliable backup-and-restore plugin. I’m not a pro, and I’m lazy :D.

Thank you for your kind support.

jparnell8839
(@jparnell8839)

12 years, 11 months ago

Yes, you’re right. Easiest way to backup your databases is to go to your phpMyAdmin from cPanel, select your database on the left, and choose “Export” from the tabs along the top. It will download your entire database

jparnell8839
(@jparnell8839)

12 years, 11 months ago

or search for the plugin WP-DBManager. It will create database backups on a set schedule in /public_html/wp-content/db-backup

Thread Starter ForexAdvantage
(@forexadvantage)

12 years, 11 months ago

Could someone teach me where the contents of my posts, pages, categories, tags… locate? (I have installed UpdraftPlus plugin which automatically handle the backup task, but I still want to know where these things locate)

Thank you.

2ninerniner2
(@2ninerniner2)

12 years, 11 months ago

They all are in that database you are about to backup 🙂 … and that is why it is important to do so.

The only actual “files” you add to your WP site (images, media, etc.) end up within various folders in wp-content, and that is why you back up that 🙂

Thread Starter ForexAdvantage
(@forexadvantage)

12 years, 11 months ago

Thank you 2ninerniner2. So, I have backed up my site for a long time, but almost backed up nothing (because just files are backed up). What a risk!

Thank you, friends. You all have helped me learn a lot.

gobeautyconnection
(@gobeautyconnection)

12 years ago

I have a problem with not being able to access the dashboard on my website to backup my data files. Can you advice?

gobeautyconnection
(@gobeautyconnection)

12 years ago

I have a problem with not being able to access the dashboard on my website to backup my data files. Can you advice?

jparnell8839
(@jparnell8839)

12 years ago

gobeautyconnection you should really start your own thread, as this one is both resolved, very old, and completely different from your problem. You will more likely garner more attention to your issue with a new thread than resurrecting an old thread.