Backup and Restore WordPress
There are several ways to backup a WordPress installation. Plugins can do the work, and run backups automatically according to a set schedule. Backups can be saved locally, or in a cloud server. Multiple versions of backups need to be stored, just in case a site gets corrupted and a backup is made before it’s noticed. Schedule of backups depend on how often a site is updated – by adding content or by updating software.
Backup is only half the battle. But what is the process to restore or move a WordPress installation?
Files are located in 2 separate locations. The core WordPress files, and the uploads folder, plugins, themes, etc, are in the root of the server. The actual data is stored in a database, so a restore needs to move both these areas of content.
WordPress backups can be a “Database Only“, or a “Full Database” which also includes the database. Within a “Full” backup, specific files or folders can be excluded, making it possible to control the size of a backup.
To move an entire Website to another location or server, a Full backup is required. This also includes the database content.
Plugin options include:
- BackupBuddy: Fee-based, ($80 yr/2 licenses, $100 yr/10 licenses) very popular and easiest to use
- BackWPup: Free WordPress plugin, one of many available. Quite popular, n
Preparations to move a website using BackupBuddy:
When BackupBuddy is first installed and activated it requires a password to be entered. This password is required for any restore functions!
A new hosting location needs to be established, and a new database set up on the server. The database requires a ‘user’ with all privileges.
Before restoring have this info available:
- The BackupBuddy password
- The database name
- The database user
- The database password
Restoring/moving with BackupBuddy:
- On the old site, in the BackupBuddy / Restore/Migrate page, download importbuddy.php
- Download a backup zip folder of a Full backup
- Upload importbuddy.php & the backup zip folder to the destination server directory where you want your site restored. Into the root or a sub-folder.
- WordPress should not be installed prior to the restore. You should delete it if it already exists.
- Full backups should be restored before restoring database only backups.
- Navigate to the uploaded importbuddy.php URL in your web browser (ie http://your.com/importbuddy.php).
- Follow the on-screen directions until the restore / migration is complete.
For screen shots of all the steps in BackupBuddy, open the PDF here.
Restoring with BackWPup:
- Install WordPress to the server location you are restoring to
- Install the BackWPup plugin
- Access the zipped backup folder and upload into the ROOT folder on the server
- Find the database SQL file in the zipped backup folder and copy that into the ROOT folder as well.
- Go to the BackWPup plugin admin area, select TOOLS. It should show your file saved like this:
“SQL File to restore: /home/xxx/public_html/xxx_wrdp1.sql” - Click RESTORE. Then delete the SQL file from the folder.
- Open up cPanel, go to File Manager, and open the root folder. Find your zipped backup and EXTRACT it.
- Delete your backup zip file from the PUBLIC_HTML folder
Helpful links:
http://www.internetmarketingwizard.com/how-to-backup-and-restore-wordpress-with-backwpup-free-plugin
http://wpscoop.com/comparisons/wordpress-backup-plugins-comparison/