WordPress backup plugins help you create copies of your website
files and database so you can recover your website after accidental
deletion, server problems, failed updates or security incidents.
Learning Objective:
Understand WordPress backups, learn about backup plugins,
configure a backup schedule, store backup copies safely and
understand how website restoration works.
1. What Is a Website Backup?
A website backup is a separate copy of important website data.
If your website stops working or data is lost, you can use a
suitable backup to restore the website.
Example: Computer Institute Website
Imagine that your WordPress website contains course pages,
student admission information, blog posts and contact forms.
You install a plugin update, but the website develops an error.
A recent, working backup may help you restore the website.
Without a backup, recovering deleted or damaged information
may be difficult or impossible.
2. What Should a WordPress Backup Include?
Website Files
Website files may include:
WordPress themes
Installed plugins
Uploaded images and documents
Custom code and configuration files
WordPress Database
The database commonly stores:
Posts and pages
Comments
Website settings
User and plugin data
Other application records
Important:
A files-only backup may not contain your posts, pages or other
database records. For a complete recovery plan, back up both
the files and database, along with any other required configuration.
3. Why Are WordPress Backups Important?
Accidental Deletion
A backup may help recover deleted files, pages or
records that are included in the backup.
Website Hacking
A known-clean backup may help recover a compromised
website after the security problem has been addressed.
Failed Updates
A backup can provide a recovery option if an update
causes compatibility problems or damages the website.
Server Failure
A backup stored separately from the affected server
can help you rebuild the website on another server.
4. Popular WordPress Backup Plugins
Several plugins provide WordPress backup and restoration tools.
Available features depend on the plugin version, hosting
environment and selected plan.
UpdraftPlus
Offers backup and restoration features, with
options for scheduled backups and supported
remote storage services.
Suitable for: Website owners
who want a familiar backup and restore workflow.
BackWPup
Provides tools to back up WordPress files and
database data, with supported storage and
scheduling options.
Suitable for: Users who want
configurable backup jobs.
Duplicator
Provides site packaging, migration and backup
workflows. Available capabilities depend on
the version and plan.
Suitable for: Website owners
who may need to move or clone a WordPress site.
Jetpack VaultPress Backup
Provides backup and restoration services through
supported Jetpack offerings. Check the current
plan for the features available.
Suitable for: Users who prefer
a managed backup service.
Tip:
Choose a plugin that supports your website size, hosting setup,
storage destination and recovery requirements. Confirm where
backups are stored and how restoration works before relying on it.
5. How to Install a Backup Plugin
Installation Steps
Log in to your WordPress dashboard.
Open Plugins → Add New Plugin.
Search for a trusted backup plugin, such as UpdraftPlus.
Review its features and compatibility information.
Click Install Now.
Click Activate.
Open the backup plugin's settings page.
Review the available backup and restoration options.
6. Create Your First Backup
After installing a backup plugin, use its dashboard to create
an initial backup. The exact buttons and options differ between
plugins.
Example Workflow Using UpdraftPlus
Open the UpdraftPlus backup settings.
Locate the backup or restore section.
Choose the option to create a backup now.
Select both database and files when the interface offers these choices.
Start the backup and wait for it to finish.
Check the backup log for errors.
Confirm that the resulting backup is available in the intended storage location.
These are general workflow steps. The exact labels may
change with plugin versions. Do not assume a backup
succeeded until you have checked its status and files.
7. Schedule Automatic Backups
Scheduled backups reduce the need to create every backup manually.
Choose a schedule that matches how frequently your website changes
and how much data you can afford to lose.
Website Type
Example Schedule
Consideration
Small personal website
Weekly
May be sufficient if changes are infrequent.
Business website
Daily
Useful when pages, forms or content change regularly.
Active blog
Daily or more frequently
Consider how often new posts and comments are added.
Online store
Frequent database backups
Protect orders, customers and product updates.
Remember:
These schedules are examples, not universal rules. Important
business websites may need more frequent backups and database
protection. Automatic scheduling also depends on a correctly
configured WordPress and hosting environment.
8. Store Backups in a Safe Location
Keeping every backup on the same server as the live website
creates a risk: a server failure or attack could affect both.
Use a separate, secure storage destination when possible.
Remote Storage
Examples include supported Google Drive, Dropbox,
Amazon S3 or other compatible storage destinations.
Check your plugin's current integrations.
Secure Backup Practices
Restrict access to backup files.
Use strong authentication.
Protect sensitive data.
Keep more than one recovery copy when appropriate.
Retain copies according to a defined policy.
9. Understand Backup Retention
Retention means how many backup copies you keep and how long
you keep them. Older backups may be deleted automatically when
a retention limit is reached.
Example Retention Plan
Keep recent daily backups for quick recovery.
Keep selected weekly backups for longer-term recovery.
Keep a separate pre-update backup before major changes.
Review available storage space and retention settings.
The right retention period depends on the website's
importance, storage capacity and recovery requirements.
10. How to Restore a WordPress Backup
Restoration replaces or recovers website data using a selected
backup. A restore can overwrite current files or database records,
so it should be planned carefully.
Restoration Steps
Identify the problem and select an appropriate backup.
Make a separate copy of the current website if possible.
Confirm that the selected backup is complete and suitable.
Use the plugin's restore process or the appropriate hosting recovery method.
Restore the required files and database components.
Check the website, forms, login and important pages.
Review logs and confirm that the original problem is resolved.
A full database restore can remove recent orders, submissions
or other records created after the backup. For a live
business website, plan how to preserve newer data before
restoring an older copy.
11. Backup Plugin vs Hosting Backup
Feature
Backup Plugin
Hosting Backup
Management
Managed through WordPress or the plugin service.
Managed through the hosting provider's tools.
Scheduling
Depends on plugin features and configuration.
Depends on the hosting plan.
Storage
May support local and remote destinations.
Depends on the provider's backup system.
Restoration
Uses plugin or compatible recovery workflows.
Uses the host's available restore tools.
Best Practice
Use as part of a tested backup strategy.
Use as an additional recovery option where available.
12. Common Backup Mistakes
Avoid These Mistakes
Backing up files but forgetting the database.
Saving every backup only on the live web server.
Assuming a scheduled backup succeeded without checking its log.
Never testing whether a backup can be restored.
Keeping too few recovery copies.
Allowing backup storage to become full.
Restoring an old database without considering newer records.