Backing up and restoring WordPress

The best backup is the one you can restore. Test your restore process at least once.

Method 1 — UpdraftPlus (most popular)

1. Install UpdraftPlus from Plugins → Add New.
2. Settings → UpdraftPlus → Backup Now for an instant backup.
3. Schedule a weekly backup, set retention to 4 copies, and connect Google Drive or Dropbox as remote storage.

To restore: UpdraftPlus → Existing backups → Restore → pick what to restore (files, database, plugins, themes) → confirm.

Method 2 — JetBackup (cPanel)

If your plan includes daily off-server backups (JetBackup), you can restore the entire account with a few clicks:

1. cPanel → JetBackup.
2. Pick the type of restore (Full Account, Home Directory, Database, Email).
3. Pick the snapshot you want and click Restore.

Method 3 — manual

1. cPanel → File Manager → compress the public_html folder, download the zip.
2. cPanel → phpMyAdmin → select your database → Export → Quick → SQL → Go.

Important

Store backups off-server. A backup on the same server you are trying to recover is not a backup.