Introduction
WordPress is a great platform for managing your website or blog, but it’s important to make sure your data is secure and backed up regularly. We’ll show you how to set up automatic WordPress backups so that you can rest easy knowing your website or blog is safe and sound. We’ll explain the basics of backups and then walk you through the step-by-step process of setting up your own automated WordPress backups. With this guide, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your website or blog is protected against data loss.
Why do You Need Automatic WordPress Backups
As a WordPress user, it’s essential that you have a regular backup routine in place to protect your data. Automating the process makes it easy to stay on top of backups so that if your website ever experiences an issue, you’ll have a recent version to restore from. Automatic backups also ensure that you don’t forget to back up your website and that your backups are kept up-to-date. They can also save you time and resources by creating offsite backups for added security. Ultimately, automatic backups give you peace of mind and help safeguard your website from data loss.
What to Look for in a Backup Plugin
When choosing a backup plugin for your WordPress site, there are certain features to look for. You want a plugin that is reliable, secure, and easy to use. Look for one that offers full backups of your website, including files, databases, and any additional media. Additionally, you should check that the plugin offers options for scheduling backups and storing them offsite in case of an emergency. Finally, you’ll want to ensure that the plugin you choose offers a straightforward process for restoring your site in the event of a system failure or other disaster.
Configuring the UpdraftPlus Plugin
To get started, you’ll need to install and activate the UpdraftPlus plugin on your WordPress site. Once activated, you’ll be able to access the plugin’s settings by clicking ‘Settings’ under the UpdraftPlus option in the left-hand menu. From there, you can set up your preferred backup settings, such as how often to run backups, what to include in the backups, and where to store them. You can also configure additional options, such as encryption and file splitting. Once you’re finished configuring the settings, click ‘Save Changes’ to complete the process.
Setting Up Offsite Storage for Your Backups
Offsite storage is an important step when creating a backup plan for your WordPress site. This means that if anything happens to your local server, you still have a copy of your backups stored safely offsite. To set up offsite storage, simply select the “Remote Storage” tab within the UpdraftPlus plugin. You can then choose from popular services like Dropbox, Google Drive, and Amazon S3. From there, enter your login credentials for the chosen service and configure the plugin accordingly. Once completed, all your backups will be automatically stored offsite for future use.
Scheduling Your Backups
Once you have set up your backup plugin and configured the storage location, it’s time to set up a schedule for when your backups will occur. With the UpdraftPlus plugin, you can easily configure regular backup schedules that run daily, weekly, or monthly. You can also choose to manually create backups at any time. It’s important to choose a frequency that fits your needs while also avoiding overwhelming your website’s resources. After setting up the schedule, you can sit back and relax, knowing that your WordPress website is now protected with automatic backups.
Excluding Files and Databases from Your Backups
Using the UpdraftPlus plugin, you can exclude certain files and databases from your backups. This can help save time and storage space. To do this, you’ll essential to access the advanced settings page in the plugin. From there, you can select the files and databases you want to exclude from the backup. Once done, simply click save and the excluded files and databases will be left out of future backups. Remember, always test your backups after making any changes to ensure everything is working properly.
Viewing Your Backups and restoring them If Needed
Once you have completed the setup of your automatic WordPress backups, it’s important to know how to view and restore them if you need to. This can be done easily using the UpdraftPlus plugin. To view your backups, simply go to the “Existing Backups” tab of the plugin and select which file you would like to view. You can then restore any backup by clicking on the “Restore” button next to it. It’s important to note that restoring a backup will overwrite existing data, so make sure you know what you are doing before doing this.
Sending Email Notifications After Backups Are Complete
Once you have set up your automatic backups, you may want to be notified when they are complete. UpdraftPlus allows you to configure email notifications so that you will be alerted whenever a backup is finished. To do this, open the Settings tab and scroll down to ‘Email Notifications’. Move in the email address you want to use and make sure the ‘Send Email on Backup Completion’ box is checked. That’s it – now you will always be aware of when your backups are done!
Other Useful Tips for Using the UpdraftPlus Plugin
For those deficient to get the most out of their automatic backups, there are some other useful tips to consider when using the UpdraftPlus plugin. Firstly, try to set up a schedule that works for you – there’s no point in having a backup schedule that is too frequent or not frequent enough. Secondly, make sure to include all the necessary files and databases in your backups and exclude any that you don’t need. Finally, take advantage of the email notifications feature to be notified when backups are complete. This can be incredibly helpful in ensuring everything is running smoothly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, setting up automatic WordPress backups is a crucial step in protecting your website or blog from data loss. By using a reliable plugin like UpdraftPlus, you can easily schedule backups, store them offsite, and receive email notifications upon completion. Additionally, the plugin allows you to customize your backups by excluding certain files and databases, ensuring that you’re only backing up essential data. With this beginner’s guide, you can now confidently secure your WordPress site and enjoy peace of mind knowing that your data is protected.
