1/29/2025

Best Practices for Conducting Regular WordPress Backups

When it comes to running a WordPress site, having a solid backup strategy is CRUCIAL. Website failures can happen for a VARIETY of reasons—server crashes, hacking, accidental deletions, and more. By ensuring your WordPress site is backed up regularly, you safeguard your hard work & protect against unexpected mishaps. This comprehensive guide will take you through the best practices for conducting regular WordPress backups, equipping you with all the tools & knowledge you need to keep your site safe.

Understanding the Importance of Backups

Regular backups are your last line of defense against a disaster. Just imagine waking up one morning to find your WordPress site is down & the data is gone. If you’re not prepared, you could lose months—even years—of hard work in just a few clicks. Security threats are unfortunately common, & even the most diligent website owner might fall victim to them. Regular backups ensure that if ALL ELSE fails, you can RESTORE your site easily.

Factors Highlighting the Need for Regular Backups:

Hardware Failure: Storage devices can fail without warning. Surprising but true!
Human Error: We all make MISTAKES, whether it's deleting important files or changing settings incorrectly. Regular backups help rectify mishaps quickly.
Malware & Security Breaches: SECURITY is a top concern for websites today. Hackers constantly look for vulnerabilities. Regular backups give you peace of mind.
Updates Gone Wrong: Sometimes, theme or plugin updates can cause issues. An easy backup restoration can save the day!
Accidental Content Loss: Updating page structures or accidentally deleting posts can happen. Luckily, it's recoverable with a backup.

Essential Components of a Good Backup Strategy

Having a well-defined backup strategy is essential. Here are some best practices to keep in mind:

1. Choose the Right Backup Method

There are two primary ways to back up a WordPress site: WordPress backup plugins or using server-side backups through your hosting provider.

Backup Plugins: WordPress has several trusted backup plugins, such as UpdraftPlus, BackupBuddy, and BlogVault. Each plugin has its own features, and most of them allow you to schedule backups automatically. Plugins are generally easy to use, making them popular.
Server-Side Backups: Many hosting providers offer built-in backup solutions as part of their packages. This is usually more RELIABLE, and you can access backups even when your WordPress admin isn’t functional. Companies like Wetopi offer robust server-side backup solutions with little to no manual intervention.

2. Opt for Full Site Backups

While backing up the database is important, it’s equally crucial to include the entire WordPress installation. That means backing up CODE FILES, MEDIA FILES, AND PLUGIN SETTINGS to ensure you can effortlessly restore your whole site in case of a catastrophe. Make sure to include the

wp-content

folder and any customized themes or settings.

3. Schedule Automatic Backups

Nobody's perfect. It's easy to forget to back up your site, but it shouldn't happen. Choose a backup plugin or utility that allows you to set automatic BACKUPS. Depending on how often you update your site, you may want to configure daily or weekly backups to keep things updated without the need for you to remember.

4. Store Backups Offsite

It's essential to store backups in a different location from your website. An excellent backup strategy includes making copies of your site data that are stored remotely, like in Dropbox, Google Drive, or even cloud storage solutions like Amazon S3. This ensures that even if your server goes down, your backup files are still safe and accessible.

5. Test Your Backups

You might think having a backup is enough, but it’s equally important to TEST those backups! It’s no good backing up your site if you can’t restore it when needed. Regularly run tests to ensure the integrity of your backups, mimicking a full restore in a STAGING environment.

6. Prioritize Security

Your backups must be SECURE. Ensure that they’re encrypted and stored in secure locations. Check your backup tools for built-in security features such as malware scanning. Utilizing plugins like BlogVault not only helps with backups but also scans for potential threats and ensures your backups are free from malware.

7. Keep Multiple Backup Copies

It’s best to follow the 3-2-1 rule for backups, which states you should have:

3 copies of your data (the original + 2 backups)
2 different media types (cloud storage + an external drive)
1 copy OFFSITE (i.e., a different geographical location)

This gives you a better protection level from potential risks.

8. Documentation & Version Control

Maintain a DOCUMENATION log showing when backups were taken & if they were successful. Include any notes on errors or issues encountered. Depending on your backup solution, some may have built-in version control aspects to retrieve specific revision points.

Recommended WordPress Backup Plugins

Here are some of the best WordPress backup plugins to get started:

UpdraftPlus: A popular FREE backup solution, easy to set up & use!
BackupBuddy: Not cheap, but it’s a premium option that comes with all the bells & whistles!
BlogVault: It’s brilliant for testing backups, and recovery is incredibly user-friendly.
BackWPup: A great option, especially for more tech-savvy users.

Storing Backups: Options Galore

When it comes to where and how you store your backups, you have plenty of options:

Cloud Storage: Services like Google Drive or Dropbox are fantastic for offsite backup solutions.
External Hard Drives: While prone to hardware failure, keeping a physical copy can be a good backup solution.
Remote Backup Services: Consider using dedicated solutions such as Backblaze or others that specialize in backups.

Conclusion: Take Control of Your Backup Strategy

Backups are VITAL in protecting your WordPress website from unforeseen disasters. By following best practices and utilizing the right tools, you can ensure your website is safe & that you can quickly recover from most situations. Remember, it's always better to be PROACTIVE than reactive when it comes to protecting your hard work.

And if you're looking for a way to boost engagement on your website while also ensuring data security, check out Arsturn! Easily create custom AI chatbots that engage your audience & keep them coming back for more. The beautiful thing is that there's no coding required, and it's a great way to enhance the overall user experience. Plus, with Arsturn, you can seamlessly integrate your chatbot with regular data backups, making sure your communications are secure and effective. Get started today—it's free to create an account, and it only takes a matter of minutes!

Stay safe, stay backed up, and keep your WordPress site running SMOOTHLY!