Manual WordPress Backup: Step-by-Step Guide

TSC

November 11, 2023

In today’s digital age, having a backup of your website is crucial. Whether it’s due to a hacker’s attack, a theme update gone wrong, or just human error, losing your website’s content can be devastating. This guide will walk you through the process of manually backing up your WordPress site and addressing some common queries related to website backups.

The Digital Lifeline: Why Backups Matter

In the vast realm of the digital world, websites serve as the lifeline for businesses, bloggers, and virtually anyone wanting to make a mark online. Just like any valuable asset, these websites are susceptible to threats, both external, like cyber-attacks, and internal, such as human errors. This vulnerability underscores the paramount importance of having a robust backup system in place.

WordPress: The King of CMS

Powering over 40% of the web, WordPress stands tall as the most popular Content Management System (CMS). Its flexibility, user-friendly interface, and extensive customisation options have made it the go-to choice for many. However, its popularity also makes it a prime target for potential threats.

The Manual Safety Net

While there are numerous plugins and tools available for backing up a WordPress site, there’s a certain assurance in doing things manually. Manual backups give website owners full control over what to backup, when, and how. It’s like having a personal safety net, ensuring that no matter what happens, one can always revert to a saved state.

Why is Backing Up Your WordPress Site Important?

Safety from Cyber Threats: Hackers are always on the prowl. A backup ensures that even if your site is compromised, you can restore it.

Protection Against Human Errors: Accidental deletions or modifications can happen. Backups act as a safety net.

Updates: Sometimes, updates can cause compatibility issues. With a backup, you can revert to the previous state.

How do I Manually Backup My WordPress Site?

Step 1: Backup Your Website’s Files

Login to cPanel: Access your hosting account and navigate to the cPanel dashboard.
File Manager: Locate the ‘File Manager’ option.
Find Root Directory: Your website’s files are typically stored in the ‘public_html’ directory.
Compress Files: Right-click on the ‘public_html’ folder and select ‘Compress’. This will create a .zip file.
Download: Once compressed, right-click on the .zip file and select ‘Download’.

Tip: How do I download all my website files from cPanel?

Follow the steps above, and you’ll have all your website files saved on your computer.

Step 2: Backup Your Database

Access phpMyAdmin: From your cPanel, locate and click on ‘phpMyAdmin’.
Select Database: On the left side, click on the database that your WordPress site uses.
Export: Click on the ‘Export’ tab. Choose the ‘Quick’ method and format as ‘SQL’.
Download: Click ‘Go’, and the database will be downloaded to your computer.

How do I Restore a Website Backup?

Restoring your website is essentially the reverse process of backing it up.

Step 1: Restore Website Files

Access cPanel: Log in to your hosting account.
File Manager: Navigate to ‘File Manager’.
Upload Backup: Click on ‘Upload’ and choose the .zip backup file.
Extract Files: Once uploaded, right-click on the .zip file and select ‘Extract’.

Step 2: Restore Your Database

Access phpMyAdmin: From cPanel, click on ‘phpMyAdmin’.
Select Database: Choose the database your WordPress site uses.
Import: Click on the ‘Import’ tab. Choose the SQL file you backed up and click ‘Go’.

How do I Download a Backup of My Website?

If you’ve followed the steps above, you’ve already downloaded a backup of your website. Remember, it’s essential to store this backup in a safe place, preferably in multiple locations like an external hard drive and a cloud storage solution.

Conclusion

Manually backing up your WordPress site might seem daunting at first, but with this step-by-step guide, the process becomes straightforward. Regular backups ensure that your website remains safe from unforeseen circumstances, giving you peace of mind.

Remember, while manual backups are effective, consider also using WordPress backup plugins or professional backup services for added security and convenience.