How to Back Up a WordPress Website: 3 Reliable Methods (2026)
Originally published at https://designtocodes.com on September 15, 2026.
How do you back up a WordPress website?
There are three reliable ways to back up a WordPress website: use a backup plugin like UpdraftPlus or Duplicator (the easiest), use your web host's built-in backup tool, or do it manually by downloading your files via FTP and exporting the database through phpMyAdmin. A complete backup includes both your files and your database, stored off your server. Here is each method.
What a full backup includes
| Part | Contains | Backed up via |
|---|---|---|
| Files | Themes, plugins, uploads, wp-config | Plugin/FTP |
| Database | Posts, pages, settings, users | Plugin/phpMyAdmin |
Method 1: use a backup plugin (easiest)
Plugins like WP BackupX, UpdraftPlus, Duplicator, or Jetpack VaultPress install, schedule, and send backups to Google Drive, Dropbox, or S3, and most restore with one click. This is the right choice for most site owners.
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Method 2: Use your host's backup tool
Many hosts run automatic backups with one-click restore. Convenient, but treat it as a bonus - always keep at least one backup somewhere else.
Method 3: manual backup
Download all files with an FTP client like FileZilla, then export the database from phpMyAdmin as a .sql file, and store both together. It works on any host and gives you a portable copy you fully own.
Where and how often
Follow 3-2-1: multiple copies, in more than one place, at least one off-site. Back up daily for active sites, weekly for slower ones, and always before a major update - then test a restore occasionally.
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest way to back up WordPress?
A backup plugin such as UpdraftPlus or Duplicator - schedule it and send backups to cloud storage, with one-click restore.
Do I need to back up both files and the database?
Yes. Files hold themes, plugins, and uploads; the database holds posts, pages, and settings. You need both to restore a working site.
Isn't my host's backup enough?
Treat it as a bonus, not your only copy. Host backups can be infrequent or lost with the account, so keep at least one off-site.
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