There are two kinds of WordPress owners: those who have restored a backup, and those who wish they had one. Hard drive failures, bad plugin updates, hosting mishaps and hacks happen every day. This guide shows you how to build a backup system that actually protects your site - and how to test it before you need it.

Table of Contents

What a Backup Must Include

A complete WordPress backup has two parts: your files (themes, plugins, uploads, wp-config.php) and your database (posts, pages, comments, settings). Losing either one breaks the site.

The Best Backup Method

  1. Install a backup plugin (UpdraftPlus is a great free option).
  2. Schedule automatic backups - daily is the safest rhythm.
  3. Include both files and database in every backup.
  4. Test the restore once a month on a test environment.

Many WordPress hosting plans also include automatic daily backups at the server level - but treat that as your safety net, not your primary plan.

Where to Store Backups

Always keep at least two copies, one offsite: cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox), remote FTP, or a local disk. Rotate old backups so you can recover not just yesterday, but a clean version from before an unnoticed problem started.

How to Restore

  1. Do not panic - a backup exists.
  2. In UpdraftPlus (or your chosen tool), click Restore and choose the backup.
  3. Let it restore files, then database, in that order.
  4. Log in and confirm posts, images and settings are intact.
  5. If restoring to a new domain, search-replace the old domain carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does my hosting backup my site automatically?

Many providers include automated daily backups. At Filofa, backups are included with hosting - but you should still keep your own offsite copy.

How do I back up without a plugin?

Use your hosting panel's backup tool (e.g. cPanel Backup) to download a full account backup, including the database. That is a manual but reliable method.

A backup you have never tested is a hope, not a plan. Automate, store offsite, and test a restore today - it takes thirty minutes and buys total peace of mind.