Using that plugin, you've backed up the most important part of your site - the data. All the files, plugins and themes could just be downloaded again if need be. Though you could make an easy backup just downloading the files via FTP.

If you want to be completely backed up you should also make a complete file backup, either FTP the files down to your local computer or ZIP then with your CPanel File Mangers and download them.

Unlike the database backup which you should do on a regular basis (assuming you are continually updating your site) you shouldn't have to do another file backup unless you add new plugins or change themes.

To do a restore (and its astounding how many people will faithfully backup data without a clue as how to restore it if they need to) simply copy the files back up to your server, build a new database and import the latest MySQL dump your plugin created. If the new database has a different name or user credentials from the original you would need to edit the wp-config.php file to reflect this.

Bill

Hi Trudy,

If you want to backup everything, you need to use the Backup Buddy plugin.

I'll mirror the other posts in this thread, and recommend that you backup your files via FTP, and then backup the database either using PhpMyAdmin, or the built-in backup feature in Wordpress.

Ok thanks for all the feedback . It seems there is more than one way to back up a wordpress site full. I think I understand what I need to do but just want to be sure.


Now I generally install wordpress via Fantastic in Cpanel so that will be easy enough to reinstall if things go bad!

Then I guess what I'll do is.
1. Back up my theme file (via FTP)
2. Keep a list of the plugins and their configurations as I guess when I go to reinstall these they may need updating anyway! Though i may even do this via FTP.
3. Everything else I figure should be backed up with the plugin - posts, pages, settings, images, links etc. I'm figuring I can reinstall this through the backup plugin I'm currently using wp-db-backup.

I think this would do the job. ??
I tried to use phpMyAdmin but got confused - possibly because the site was an addon hosted site.

When you have to backup your "database" what exactly does that mean? What I mean is it backing up all CONTENTand SETTINGS from your wordpress blog?
Will it backup any settings from plugins?
For example a Google Analytics plugin, will it back up the code or is it that you'd need to reconfigure every plugin again?

Thanks again for everyone's comments...I'm beginning to understand.

Trudy

I use wp-db-backup and managed to get my sites up and running again quickly a couple of months ago when my server got 'fried'!

Here's hoping you won't have to test it
Lou

Just some notes if you want to do it the manual way:

Backup Wordpress Files
1) Go to Cpanel->File Manager and navigate to your wordpress site i.e. normally /public_html/your_site_name
2) Select all the files (including) the folders, right click and choose "compress" pop up menu. This will save everything (including sub folders) to a zip file
3) FTP the file

Backup Wordpress Database
1) Use the File Manager and view the wp-config.php file and see which is the mysql database for the wordpress installation
2) Use CPanel to fire up phpmyadmin, choose the appropriate database file at the left panel (as identified in step 1 above)
3) Look out for the Export tab at the right panel and click on it
4) You can leave all the export options but remember to check the compression level checkbox (choose zip file)
5) Click on "Go" Button.

I use the above techniques to clone WP sites. Normally I setup a template blog and install all the required plugins, themes and configuration, and then backup it to clone other niche blogs.

I use this plugin - works splendidly

[DELETED]

I do a complete export of all the structure and data in my wordpress database using phpMyAdmin from my CPanel. I also then download all the files using Filezilla (good free FTP client). This is a 100% backup and you aren't really relying on plugins and stuff like that. The beauty of it is that you can import that SQL file that you create from phpMyAdmin and that will completely recreate your database, including all the plug-in settings and stuff like that.

Backwpup plugin is free and definitively what you need.

You can use backupbuddy too, but it's a premium plugin.

[DELETED]