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Backing Up Wordpress Sites - Please Help!

by JustaWizard
19 replies
  • WEB DESIGN
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I would cry huge crocodile tears if I lost the hours of content I've created... what's the *right* way to backup a Wordpress site?

I presume just the "export" function is not enough? I host with Bluehost if that's helpful...

THANKS!
David
#backing #sites #wordpress
  • Profile picture of the author Jay Rhome
    You can download the files as you would any other using FTP, while making sure to download the database(s) as well.
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    • Profile picture of the author JustaWizard
      Originally Posted by Jay Rhome View Post

      You can download the files as you would any other using FTP, while making sure to download the database(s) as well.
      FTP is certainly easy enough! would you kindly share how to download the database(s) too, thanks!
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      • Profile picture of the author JustaWizard
        Originally Posted by JustaWizard View Post

        FTP is certainly easy enough! would you kindly share how to download the database(s) too, thanks!
        ... or is that just the export function in Wordpress?
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  • Profile picture of the author Jay Rhome
    On your host panel of your web hosting company, you should have something called "mySQL databases"

    There you should have the option to download/restore databases.

    Or, probably simpler though I haven't used it yet, download the WP plugin called "wp-db-back". That should do the trick
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  • Profile picture of the author mywebwork
    Backing up the MySQL database is the essential part, that's where all of your precious work is held. The files are nice to backup too, but as long as you have copies of your theme and your plugins you could always rebuild your site.

    The CPanel utility Jay alluded to should work perfectly for this. Another, and perhaps easier, route is to use a plugin like WP DB Backup:

    WordPress › WP-DB-Backup WordPress Plugins

    WordPress also maintains a document about backups at WordPress Backups WordPress Codex. It illustrates in detail how to perform WordPress backups using several common products like PHP My Admin.

    Bill
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  • Profile picture of the author Abledragon
    David, hi,

    Here's an article that explains in detail how I back up my WordPress - both database and system files:

    http://www.wealthydragon.com/blog/20...ordpress-blog/

    Hope it helps,

    Cheers,

    Martin.
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    WealthyDragon - Earning My Living Online
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  • Profile picture of the author JonMills
    Originally Posted by JustaWizard View Post

    I would cry huge crocodile tears if I lost the hours of content I've created... what's the *right* way to backup a Wordpress site?

    I presume just the "export" function is not enough? I host with Bluehost if that's helpful...

    THANKS!
    David
    Remember you have files and database to save. There are several ways of going about doing it.

    1. Backup the database via phpadmin WordPress Backup with phpMyAdmin then use FTP to download all files
    2. Just to download everything in one big ZIP file, you go into CPANEL into BACKUPS and your going to see several options there for downloading. DO the one at the very top as this zip file is the only one that saves the table information.
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    • Profile picture of the author JustaWizard
      Thanks have gone out to all replies - and here's what I've done so far:

      I decided to install the WP-DBManager plugin since it's got some restore functions too (that hopefully I'll never have to use...;-).

      Configuring the plugin required some tweaks - renaming and moving a file, all stuff I was able to do in my FTP client, CHMOD permission on a folder - luckily all stuff I was able to understand and do.

      Then, the backup function in the plugin was easy, pushed a button or 2 and it did the work creating a backup file in .txt format, which I then moved the file off of my server via FTP.

      Looking at the backup file, it's mostly code I don't understand, but scrolling along I could see that there was indeed text that comprises my posts.

      I guess the next step is to FTP download my wordpress and other files from my server? I suppose everything in the root directory, is that correct?

      Thanks!

      David
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      • Profile picture of the author houdy
        Dave the only files you really need to backup are the wp-config.php, .htaccess files and the wp-content folder. The wp-content folder has several other folders within it, the themes, plugins and usually the uploads folder. Themes and plugins I hope are self explanatory. The uploads folder has any images you upload and added into your posts. So if you regularly upload a lot of images you should backup at least that folder on a regular basis. So unless you constantly tweak your theme's code the only thing that may change on a regular basis is the uploads folder. I usually backup the entire wp-content folder once a week.

        All the other files are easily replaced and are not specific to your particular blog with the exception of the wp-config.php and .htaccess files.

        Originally Posted by JustaWizard View Post


        I guess the next step is to FTP download my wordpress and other files from my server? I suppose everything in the root directory, is that correct?

        David
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        Jeff Houdyschell
        WordPress Guides | WordPress Installation
        Work At Home Business Blog | Proven Income Opportunities | Best Work At Home Jobs

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        • Profile picture of the author JustaWizard
          Thanks Jeff, terrific!

          Originally Posted by houdy View Post

          Dave the only files you really need to backup are the wp-config.php, .htaccess files and the wp-content folder. The wp-content folder has several other folders within it, the themes, plugins and usually the uploads folder. Themes and plugins I hope are self explanatory. The uploads folder has any images you upload and added into your posts. So if you regularly upload a lot of images you should backup at least that folder on a regular basis. So unless you constantly tweak your theme's code the only thing that may change on a regular basis is the uploads folder. I usually backup the entire wp-content folder once a week.

          All the other files are easily replaced and are not specific to your particular blog with the exception of the wp-config.php and .htaccess files.
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        • Profile picture of the author JustaWizard
          Originally Posted by houdy View Post

          Dave the only files you really need to backup are the wp-config.php, .htaccess files and the wp-content folder. The wp-content folder has several other folders within it, the themes, plugins and usually the uploads folder. Themes and plugins I hope are self explanatory. The uploads folder has any images you upload and added into your posts. So if you regularly upload a lot of images you should backup at least that folder on a regular basis. So unless you constantly tweak your theme's code the only thing that may change on a regular basis is the uploads folder. I usually backup the entire wp-content folder once a week.

          All the other files are easily replaced and are not specific to your particular blog with the exception of the wp-config.php and .htaccess files.
          Hey Jeff - so backup the wp-content folder, and the wp-config.php and .htaccess files... now, what about just backing up via FTP the ENTIRE root directory and ALL files?--And, when it comes time to restoring (hopefully-never), wouldn't I need all those other files too?

          Thanks!
          David
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          • Profile picture of the author houdy
            David backing up the entire root directory won't hurt but my point is the only WordPress files files that are specific to your blog are those mentioned. You can always download all the WordPress files again. Heck you can even download the plugins and themes again (if you don't have a customized theme). But it would be a pain trying to reconstruct the uploads folder.

            Remember the WordPress files are going to change as you continually upgrade WordPress. Usually the wp-content folder isn't overwritten in an upgrade but it can happen.

            Of course you must have a regular backup schedule for the database which is the most important thing to worry about.

            Originally Posted by JustaWizard View Post

            Hey Jeff - so backup the wp-content folder, and the wp-config.php and .htaccess files... now, what about just backing up via FTP the ENTIRE root directory and ALL files?--And, when it comes time to restoring (hopefully-never), wouldn't I need all those other files too?

            Thanks!
            David
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            Jeff Houdyschell
            WordPress Guides | WordPress Installation
            Work At Home Business Blog | Proven Income Opportunities | Best Work At Home Jobs

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            • Profile picture of the author JustaWizard
              UPDATE: - AND YOUR FEEDBACK IS REQUESTED...

              After messing around with trying to figure out exactly how to step-by-step perform a back up and restore - then moving from CA to WA which severely interrupted my process - I picked this up again in the last few days working hard on it and here's the procedure I have right now that works in the tests I've performed on a test Wordpress site...

              ...your feedback is GREATLY appreciated.

              DESIRED OUTCOME:
              To perform an efficient manual backup of critical Wordpress components so as to be able to efficiently and easily-as-possible recreate a Wordpress site if it got hacked or otherwise compromised.

              BACK UP PROCEDURE:
              1. Install wp-dbmanager plugin and configure; you will have to move and rename a file htaccess.txt to .htaccess, a nag screen in Wordpress will tell you exactly what to do.

              2. Create a backup of the .sql database using this plugin (it's all pretty self-explanatory in the plugin - after install look below "settings" for a new DATABASE option to click on - it's the second option, "BACKUP DB" > scroll to the bottom and click on the BACKUP button).

              3. Now go to the next option under that one you just used, it's labeled "MANAGE BACKUP DB", and download the backup you just created by selecting the radio button, and then clicking DOWNLOAD; save it somewhere you'll remember and find easily.

              4. Using FTP client of choice, download your wp-content folder somewhere you'll remember and find easily.

              RESTORE PROCEDURE IN CASE OF HACKING ETC.

              1. At your hosting cPanel, do an uninstall of the Wordpress install for that domain (in Bluehost, it's in the Simple Scripts area > My Installs

              2. In FTP client delete all files in the domain's root directory folder, and as for a totally clean start, also delete the actual domain root directory folder; this may have to be done in your hosting service's FTP client under the public_html.

              3. Make a fresh domain root directory folder for the site in public_html.

              4. Install Wordpress via hosting service cPanel.

              5. Then in "my installs" under Simple Scripts, click on "Advanced" to see the file path (that "file path" terminology may not be spot on, but for example, it will tell you the Wordpress install "number" - such as "something_wrd6" or "something_wp04".

              6. At cPanel, choose "phpmyadmin" > choose the "something_wp#" (what you found in step 5) - it will appear on the left - BE SURE TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT ONE!

              7. Near the top click on the IMPORT tab/link > use browse button to locate the .sql file you created and backed up using the Wordpress DB backup plugin > then click the GO button at the bottom right.

              RESULT:
              This restores your Wordpress website to it's previous condition, with all settings, posts, categories, comments etc. in place. Now you can go to your backup file wp-content and FTP upload desired themes, plugins, etc.

              IMPORTANT NOTE:
              After you import your .sql file, you will NOT login to your site www.yoursite.com/wp-admin with the new password provided in your fresh Simple Scripts install - you will login with the password you always used, or at least the one you used when you created the backup of your .sql file.

              WHEW! How'd I do?
              I realize there may be a "faster simpler" way, so if you have one and can detail it it dummy-proof, step-by-step manner as I've done above, that's great... otherwise, frankly, your feedback is useless unless it provided EXACTLY what to do and exactly how to do it. I can pretty much guarantee that if you follow my procedure, you'll get your site back! And if you've added a lot of content, you'll cry huge tears of pain if your site gets hacked and you can't restore it!

              Best,
              David
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  • Profile picture of the author Baba Pandey
    David, Go to cpanel and Backup wizard. Then select backup<Home Directory and just create backup. Login to ur cpanel via FTP and you will see the backup file there.(In root not in public_html). Then you just have to download that file. You are completely DONE.
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  • Profile picture of the author michalelclerk
    Hi...
    I read your comment and ya it seems really bad when we made some content and after that sometime we loose that so for that i have some information which i want to share with you....Your Word Press database contains every post, every comment and every link you have on your blog. If your database gets erased or corrupted, you stand to lose everything you have written. There are many reasons why this could happen and not all are things you can control. But what you can do is back up your data. After all, it is important. Right?Below are instructions to back up your word press site and your. In addition, support is provided online at the word press support forum to help you through the process.Making backups is essential because problems inevitably occur and you need to be in a position to take action when disaster strikes. Spending a few minutes to make an easy, convenient backup of your database will allow you to spend even more time being creative and productive with your website.... Thanks for sharing your comment....
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  • Profile picture of the author candacemevis23
    1. use FTP client to backup
    2. use "wp database back up" plugin to backup time to time
    3. use export & import option at phpadmin to backup.
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    Good Bye ....

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    • Profile picture of the author JustaWizard
      Originally Posted by candacemevis23 View Post

      1. use FTP client to backup
      2. use "wp database back up" plugin to backup time to time
      3. use export & import option at phpadmin to backup.
      Uh, frankly, if I needed to know how to backup, those three steps would be useless to me. I filled in the blanks for those 3 steps in my detailed procedure above.
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  • Profile picture of the author HomeBizNizz
    To do a WP backup can be done in so many ways.
    It all differs from webhotel to webhotel.

    How to back up the DB (own script/myPHPAdmin/WP plugin)
    Files are normally backed up with FTP.

    So yes, there are multiple ways...
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    • Profile picture of the author JustaWizard
      Originally Posted by HomeBizNizz View Post

      To do a WP backup can be done in so many ways.
      It all differs from webhotel to webhotel.

      How to back up the DB (own script/myPHPAdmin/WP plugin)
      Files are normally backed up with FTP.

      So yes, there are multiple ways...
      I think this is the first time I've heard the term "web hotel" - I presume you mean webhost... hey, is "web hotel" like the Saturday Night Live comedy skit from years back "jogger motel" where "joggers jog in, but they don't jog out"? so in the web motel "internet marketers check in, but they don't check out"?

      David
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