Backing up your WordPress website is crucial to avoid data loss due to unforeseen events like hacking, server crashes, or faulty updates. cPanel, a popular web hosting control panel, simplifies the process of backing up your WordPress website. This article will guide you on how to back up your WordPress website from cPanel.
What exactly is a cPanel backup, you may be wondering? A full WordPress backup consists of two parts: a copy of the WordPress database and a collection of all website files. The database contains post and page content, user information, and other essential elements, while the website files include WordPress core software, themes, plugins, and images.
The process of creating a backup remains the same, but the tools you use and how you create the backup differ. In cPanel, you can access both elements and create separate copies of them. For database management, phpMyAdmin is commonly used to export and import the database in your preferred format. Restoring a backup involves overwriting the existing database using phpMyAdmin.
When it comes to website files, cPanel’s file manager allows access to the WordPress root directory containing all site files, including theme and plugin folders, the media gallery, and other components. It’s important to note that a cPanel backup involves manually copying these elements separately, rather than an automated process that combines everything into one complete backup bundle.
Why Backups Are Essential for WordPress Websites
1). Data Loss Prevention
Protect your WordPress website from data loss caused by server failures, hacking, viruses, or human error.
Ensure the recovery of all website content, including posts, pages, media, and settings.
2). Website Security
Mitigate the impact of hacking attempts.
Restore your website to a secure state before a compromise occurs.
3). Plugin and Theme Updates
Roll back to a working version if updates cause issues.
Avoid downtime and minimize potential damage.
4). Content Errors
Recover accidentally deleted or edited content.
Protect your website from content errors.
5). Website Transfer
Facilitate the smooth migration of your WordPress site to a different hosting provider or domain.
Maintain website information and functionality during the transfer.
6). Development and Testing
Create backups before making significant changes.
Test new features or plugins in a safe environment.
Revert to the previous state if necessary without affecting the live site.
7). Legal and Compliance
Meet legal requirements for data retention.
Ensure compliance with industry regulations.
8). Time and Cost Savings
Minimize the time and resources required to restore your website in the event of a disaster.
Avoid the expenses associated with rebuilding a website from scratch.
9). Search Engine Rankings
Prevent negative impacts on search engine rankings caused by outages or data loss.
Maintain SEO efforts by minimizing downtime.
Step-by-Step Guide to Backing Up Your WordPress Website Using cPanel
Step 1: Accessing cPanel
Visit your hosting provider’s website and log in with your credentials.
Locate the link to cPanel on the dashboard or within the hosting panel.
Step 2: Navigating to the Backup Option
Scroll through the cPanel interface and look for the Backup or Backup Wizard section.
If you see a specific backup icon, click on it.
Utilize the Backup Wizard if available for guided backup creation.
Step 3: Selecting the Backup Type
Choose Full Backup to create a comprehensive backup of your WordPress website.
This includes the database and all files, such as themes and plugins.
If using the Backup Wizard, select Full Backup as part of the process.
Step 4: Choosing the Backup Location
Select the Home Directory as the backup location.
This option stores the backup files in the root directory of your hosting account.
Step 5: Providing an Email Address (Optional)
Enter an email address to receive notifications about the backup process.
This helps you monitor the progress and identify any issues.
Step 6: Initiating the Backup
Click Generate Backup or Create Backup to start the process.
The backup will take time depending on the website size.
Track the progress through status updates or progress indicators.
Step 7: Obtaining the Backup
Locate the backup file in the file manager or receive an email notification.
Download the backup file as a compressed .zip or .tar.gz file.
Step 8: Verifying the Backup
Extract the backup file and check its contents.
Ensure that all files and the database dump are present.
Step 9: Securing the Backup Storage
Store the backup on an external storage platform like Dropbox or Google Drive.
Consider a dedicated backup server for added security and control.
Restoring a WordPress cPanel backup can be done by following these steps:
1. Start by importing the database files using phpMyAdmin.
Select the database you want to overwrite, click on the Import button
, choose the SQL file to upload, and click Import.
2. Next, upload the WordPress root directory by accessing the File Manager in cPanel.
Upload the zipped backup file, select where to upload it, and either delete the existing root directory and uncompress the backup file or rename the compressed directory to replace the existing one.
3. Once the files are extracted and the process is complete, your WordPress site should be restored to a previous version. Access the website to ensure everything has been successfully restored.
Comparison of cPanel Backups to Alternative Methods
1. Ease of Use
cPanel backups require manual effort, making them time-consuming.
Alternative methods, such as backup plugins, offer automation and user-friendly interfaces.
2. Frequency of Backups
cPanel backups are created manually, which limits frequency.
Automated solutions like backup plugins can create backups more frequently.
3. Storage Options
cPanel backups require manual storage management, which can be cumbersome.
Cloud-based storage options available with alternative methods offer convenience and redundancy.
4. Restoration Process
cPanel restores involve manual database and file overwrites, which can be error-prone.
Plugin-based solutions provide one-click restoration for simplicity and reliability.
5. Convenience
cPanel provides free backup capability and allows for customization.
Alternative methods offer automation, error reduction, and convenience for users.
Some other WordPress website backup plans include using cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or Amazon S3 to store backups, using a WordPress plugin like UpdraftPlus or BackupBuddy to schedule automatic backups, and manually exporting a backup of your WordPress site through the WordPress dashboard.
Additionally, some web hosting providers offer their backup solutions or have partnerships with backup services for their customers to use.
Overall
cPanel backups can be a suitable option for advanced users who have the time and technical knowledge to manage the manual process. However, for most website owners, alternative backup methods, such as backup plugins, provide greater ease of use, automation, and convenience in terms of frequency, storage, restoration, and overall efficiency.
In conclusion, Backing up your WordPress website via cPanel is a straightforward method that can help you avoid data loss. By following the methods given in this article, you can keep your website secure and protected from any unforeseen circumstances. To safeguard the safety of your website data, make regular backups and store them in a secure area.
