How to Create a WordPress Backup Manually

Creating a WordPress backup manually is essential to ensure the safety and security of your website’s data. While there are many plugins available that automate the backup process, knowing how to create a manual backup is a valuable skill for any WordPress user. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the steps to create a WordPress backup manually.

Step 1: Access Your WordPress Files

To start, you will need to access your WordPress files via FTP (File Transfer Protocol) or through your hosting provider’s file manager. Locate the root directory of your WordPress installation where all the core files are stored.

Step 2: Backup Your WordPress Files

Next, create a copy of all your WordPress files. This includes the wp-content folder, which contains your themes, plugins, and uploads, as well as the wp-config.php file, which holds your database connection details. You can simply download these files to your local computer as a backup.

            
            
            flashify_backup_files() {
                $backup_directory = ABSPATH . 'backup_' . date( 'Y-m-d_H-i-s' );
                $source_directory = ABSPATH;
                flashify_recursive_copy( $source_directory, $backup_directory );
            }
            
            flashify_recursive_copy( $source, $dest ) {
                $dir = opendir( $source );
                @mkdir( $dest );
                while ( false !== ( $file = readdir( $dir ) ) ) {
                    if ( ( $file != '.' ) && ( $file != '..' ) ) {
                        if ( is_dir( $source . '/' . $file ) ) {
                            flashify_recursive_copy( $source . '/' . $file, $dest . '/' . $file );
                        } else {
                            copy( $source . '/' . $file, $dest . '/' . $file );
                        }
                    }
                }
                closedir( $dir );
            }
            
            flashify_backup_files();
            
            

Step 3: Backup Your WordPress Database

After backing up your files, it’s crucial to also backup your WordPress database. You can do this by accessing your hosting control panel or using a tool like phpMyAdmin. Export your database as a SQL file, which contains all your website’s content, settings, and user information.

            
            
            flashify_backup_database() {
                global $wpdb;
                $database_name = DB_NAME;
                $dump_file = ABSPATH . 'database_backup_' . date( 'Y-m-d_H-i-s' ) . '.sql';
                exec( 'mysqldump --user=' . DB_USER . ' --password=' . DB_PASSWORD . ' ' . $database_name . ' > ' . $dump_file );
            }
            
            flashify_backup_database();
            
            

Step 4: Store Your Backup Safely

Once you have created backups of your WordPress files and database, store them in a secure location. You can use cloud storage services like Dropbox, Google Drive, or an external hard drive. Remember to keep multiple copies of your backups and update them regularly.

By following these steps, you have successfully created a manual WordPress backup. Remember to test your backups periodically to ensure they are working correctly and can be restored in case of any unforeseen events.

For more advanced backup solutions and automation, consider using plugins like UpdraftPlus, BackupBuddy, or VaultPress. These plugins offer scheduled backups, one-click restores, and additional features to enhance your backup strategy.

Creating regular backups is crucial for the security and stability of your WordPress website. By following these steps and best practices, you can safeguard your valuable data and ensure peace of mind knowing that your website is protected.