Backing up your WordPress website is essential to ensure that you have a copy of your site’s data and files in case of unexpected events like server crashes, hacking attempts, or accidental data loss. While there are many plugins available to automate this process, understanding how to perform a manual backup gives you more control and flexibility. Please take a moment to read our tutorial below on backing up WordPress manually.
Why Manual Backup?
Manual backups offer a deeper understanding of your website’s structure and files, allowing you to tailor your backup process to suit your specific needs. Additionally, manual backups can be particularly useful in scenarios where automated solutions may not be available or feasible.
- Accessing Files: Log in to your web hosting control panel or connect to your server via FTP (File Transfer Protocol) using an FTP client like FileZilla.
- Locating WordPress Files: Navigate to the root directory of your WordPress installation. This is typically the public_html directory or a subdirectory within it, depending on your hosting setup.
- Copying Files: Select all files and folders within the WordPress directory and download them to your local computer. This includes core WordPress files, theme files, plugin files, and uploads.
- Exporting Database: Access your website’s database through phpMyAdmin or a similar database management tool provided by your hosting provider. Export the entire database as an SQL file, ensuring you select the option to include all tables.
- Storage and Organization: Store the downloaded files and the exported database backup in a secure location on your local computer. Organize them in a way that facilitates easy retrieval when needed.