A WordPress backup is a process in which you create a duplicate copy of all the files, content, and data of your site. These copies are stored separately from the live site. You may not need to use it if everything goes business as usual. However, they can be useful in case of a security breach, data loss, malware, or any other scenario.
There is a lot of effort that goes to keep your site live. It can be the professional WordPress themes, plugins, core files, media files, user data, and more. You need to create a copy of this to ensure the safety of your site.
Why you must create a backup for your WordPress site?
Everyone hopes that the day doesn’t come when they need to use the backup of their site. However, the backup can be useful in multiple scenarios.
- Protection against data loss
Any small mistake can cause you to lose all your important data. Anyone can make such a mistake. If your business relies on the WordPress site then you cannot afford this.
When you regularly back up your site you have a safety net. If a data loss happens then you can just restore to the previous version.
- Protect your site from cyber attacks
Cyber attacks are not just scenarios from movies but they happen to sites and applications in real life too. Here is the gist, the more traffic your site gets the chances of cyber attacks increase. That’s because the hackers have a motivation to attack your site.
If you have created an amazing site using professional WordPress themes and it is doing well then you should back it up regularly.
A clean version of your site will always be ready to be updated. This reduces site downtime and doesn’t give the hackers any advantage.
- Easy migration
You may need to migrate your site to a new hosting provider. A backup of your WordPress site with all the files will ensure that you are able to do it easily.
- Protect your site from human mistakes
Everyone can make mistakes right? You can accidentally delete important files, plugins, widgets, etc. When you have a backup of your site then you can simply restore the other version. Having a backup of your WordPress site ensures that you can run your site while being relaxed.
What are the WordPress backup options?
You have different options when it comes to creating a backup of your site.
- Full site backups
Full backup of your site is always the best option. Your site will be automatically backed up and if anything happens you can just restore it to an earlier version. If you are planning to change hosting providers then you will also have to create a full site backup.
- Incremental backups
Incremental backups only save the changes made since the last backup. The advantage of this is that you can save resources and reduce backup time. If your site gets an update every day then this is the right option for you. However, if you update your site once a month then you can still go with the full site backup.
- Database backup
Database backups focus on storing the site’s database regularly. This includes posts, pages, comments, products, settings, and user information. Instead of backing up the whole site which includes the professional WordPress themes, plugins, and media.
You are now backing up small changes to the site and this can be done regularly too.
The file size of a database backup is way smaller which can be a benefit of this option.
Create a backup strategy
Now all you have to do is choose a backup strategy for your site.
- Choose a backup method
You can back up your site manually, use a plugin to do the same or choose the managed hosting backup option. In the last option, your backup is done with the hosting provider.
- Determine a backup frequency
You need to select a backup frequency for your website. If your site is updated every day then you need a regular site backup option. However, if you rarely change your site then a monthly backup option will work too.
- Select storage options
You can consider the following storage options:
- Cloud storage: You can use well-known cloud service providers like Dropbox, Google Drive, and Amazon S3. This is one of the best options for beginners.
- Remote FTP servers: You can store the backups using the File Transfer Protocol or Secure File Transfer Protocol. Now your backups will be offsite which makes it more secure.
- Local storage: You can store the site backup on an external hard drive or a server within your local network.
- Automate the process
A site backup is essential for security and there is no place for human errors in the process. You should use plugins like UpdraftPlus, BackupBuddy, or VaultPress which can facilitate automatic backups. Your site will be secure every day without any manual effort.
