How to Back Up a WordPress Site
The Ultimate Guide on How to Back Up a WordPress Site and
Why WordPress Backups Are Non-Negotiable
Learning how-to-backup-wordpress-site is the #1 skill every owner needs. Without backups, you risk losing everything to:*
- Cyber attacks (90K+ WordPress sites hacked daily)
- Server crashes (Even top hosts fail)
- Update disasters (One bad plugin can break your site)
*This guide shows exactly how-to-backup-wordpress-site properly in 2025.”.
Method 1: Using Duplicator Plugin (Recommended Solution)
“We restore client sites in under 3 minutes with Duplicator” — KOROVA Design Agency
Step 1: Installation & Setup
- Download Duplicator (Free or Pro version)
- Install via WordPress admin (Plugins → Add New)
- Activate your license key (Pro only)
Step 2: Creating Your First Backup
- Navigate to Duplicator → Packages → Create New
- Configure backup settings:
- Use dynamic naming (e.g., {site}-{date})
- Select storage destination (15+ cloud options)
- Choose backup type (Full/Database only)
- Why Duplicator Stands Out
- Beyond basic backups, Duplicator offers:
- One-click site migrations
- Staging environment creation
- Multisite network support
- Disaster recovery system
- Run system scan and Create Backup
Step 3: Download & Secure
- Always download both files:
- Archive (.zip)
- Installer (.php)
- Store in multiple locations (Never just on your server)
Use dynamic tags to name your backup. This will make it easy to find if you need to restore your site later.
By default, your backup will be stored on your local server. However, Duplicator supports third-party cloud storage services which includes.
- FTP
- Google Drive
- Dropbox
- Microsoft OneDrive
- Amazon S3
- Wasabi
- Google Cloud
- DreamObjects
- Vultr
- DigitalOcean Spaces
- Cloudflare R2
- Backblaze B2
- Any other S3-compatible cloud service
One you connect one of these accounts, you can select it in the Storage section.
Now, you can customize the backup. Simply select the data you want to include in the backup file.
In most cases, you’ll need to do a full backup. This includes everything on your WordPress site, so you can easily restore it if needed.
However, you can easily create any kind of backup with Duplicator. By clicking on the Database Only tab, you’ll save just a copy of the database. If you run a WooCommerce site, this can help you avoid losing any customer data.
For complete backups, select the Full Site tab. Then, click Next.
Duplicator will scan your website. Check any notices to make sure you can successfully back up your site.
Lastly, hit Create Backup.
Step 3: Download Your Backup
By now, you’ve made a copy of your entire site. To make sure you can easily restore your site to this point, you’ll need to download it.
If you connected a cloud storage location, your backup will be automatically sent to the cloud!
First, navigate to the Backups page. From the list, find the backup you just created.
Next to the backup, you’ll see a Download button. Click on this and select Both Files.
This will download the backup of your site to your computer. Make sure you save these backup files to easily access them if you need to.
Whenever your site experiences a cyber attack or critical error, you can re-upload these files to your server to restore your site. However, you can also simply hit the Restore button next to the backup.
Unlike other backup plugins, Duplicator also gives you a disaster recovery point. This will rollback your site even if you can’t access your dashboard.
To use a backup for disaster recovery, it’ll need to be a full backup that’s stored locally. Then, hit the disaster recovery icon.
Once you set the recovery point, you can copy the recovery URL or download the launcher file. Either of these will immediately launch the recovery wizard.
Now your site is fully safe from cyber attacks and other large issues!
Step 4: Set Up Automatic Backups
Although you could continue manually backing up your site every time you need to, this can take extra time and effort. Instead of this hassle, consider setting up automatic backups.
With Duplicator, you can schedule backups and then forget about them. To get started, find Duplicator Pro » Schedule Backups » Add New.
Then, name your backup schedule. For the Backup Template, you can customize what information is saved in the backup.
If you click on the + icon, this will take you to the template editing page. Here, feel free to edit the backup presets.
After you save a template, select it for your new backup schedule. Next, choose a storage location.
Then, set a time for your backup schedule. You can create hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly automatic backups. For each of these options, you’ll see different customization settings.
You’ll also need to select a Start Time. This will start the backup process at a specific time of day.
Finally, check the box next to Enable this schedule. After you save it, Duplicator will automatically start performing regular backups.
Disaster Recovery Setup
- Mark a local full backup as recovery point
- Save the recovery URL/launcher file
- Test recovery process quarterly
Alternative Methods to Back Up a WordPress Site:
Manual Backup via cPanel
- Export database via phpMyAdmin
- Download wp-content folder
- Compress and store securely
Cloud Backup Services Comparison
| Service | Best For | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| BlogVault | eCommerce sites | $9/month |
| UpdraftPlus | Beginners | Free+ |
| Jetpack | Real-time backups | $10/month |
Backup Best Practices Checklist
✅ 3-2-1 Rule: 3 copies, 2 media types, 1 offsite
✅ Test restores every 3 months
✅ Monitor backup logs for failures
✅ Store encryption keys separately
✅ Document your backup procedure
FAQ: WordPress Backup Essentials
Q: How often should I backup my WooCommerce site?
A: Daily for active stores, with transaction logs hourly.
Q: Are free backup plugins safe?
A: Yes, but Pro versions offer critical features like:
- Automatic cloud backups
- Priority support
- Larger site support
Q: What’s the single biggest backup mistake?
A: Only storing backups on your server – always keep an offsite copy.
Final Recommendation
For most WordPress users, Duplicator Pro provides the perfect balance of power and simplicity. The ability to:
- Schedule hands-free backups
- Store securely in the cloud
- Recover in minutes
Makes it worth the investment for any serious website owner.
