How to Back Up and Restore a WordPress Website: Complete Guide for 2027
Your WordPress website contains much more than the pages visitors see. Behind the design are website files, images, plugins, themes, settings and a database that stores essential information.
What would happen if those files were deleted, a plugin update caused an error, your hosting account became compromised or your website stopped working?
Without a reliable backup, restoring the website could become a difficult and expensive process.
Website backups are one of the most important parts of WordPress maintenance, yet many businesses only discover whether their backups work when something goes wrong.
The good news is that WordPress websites can be backed up and restored in several ways, including through cPanel, dedicated backup plugins, hosting platforms and manual file and database exports.
In this guide, Web Anatomy explains how WordPress backups work, which files need to be protected, how to create backups and how to restore your website safely.
What Is a WordPress Website Backup?
A WordPress backup is a copy of the files and database information needed to recover a website.
A complete backup typically includes two essential components: website files and the WordPress database.
The files contain WordPress software, themes, plugins, uploaded images and other resources. The database stores information such as posts, pages, settings, menus, user accounts and, where applicable, WooCommerce data.
Both components are important.
Restoring only the files without the matching database may leave you with an incomplete or unusable website. Restoring only the database without the necessary files can cause missing images, plugins and other functionality.
A reliable backup strategy should protect the complete website and provide a practical way to recover it.
Why Are WordPress Backups Important?
WordPress websites change over time. Plugins receive updates, themes are modified, content is added and hosting environments evolve.
Although many changes are completed without problems, technical issues can occur.
A plugin update may conflict with another component. A developer may accidentally remove an important file. A website migration may fail, or a security incident may compromise the installation.
Backups provide a recovery point that can help return the website to a previous working condition.
They are especially important for businesses that depend on their websites for customer enquiries, bookings, product sales or other important operations.
However, having a backup does not guarantee a successful recovery. Backup integrity, storage location, restoration testing and the age of the backup all matter.
What Files Do You Need to Back Up in WordPress?
A standard WordPress installation contains several important directories and files.
The wp-content Directory
The wp-content directory is particularly important because it normally contains your themes, plugins and uploaded media.
Common directories include:
wp-content/themes/wp-content/plugins/wp-content/uploads/
Custom functionality and other website-specific files may also be stored here.
WordPress Configuration Files
The wp-config.php file contains important WordPress configuration information, including database connection settings.
The .htaccess file may contain server rules, redirects and other configuration details on compatible Apache-based hosting environments.
These files should be protected because they can contain sensitive information.
WordPress Core Files
WordPress core files form the underlying software platform.
Although core files can often be reinstalled from an official WordPress release, a complete backup simplifies recovery and helps preserve the installation’s configuration.
The WordPress Database
The database stores much of the website’s content and configuration.
Depending on the website, this can include blog posts, pages, users, plugin settings, form records and WooCommerce orders.
For businesses operating an online store, database backups are especially important because transaction information changes frequently.
Four Ways to Back Up a WordPress Website
There is no single backup method that suits every website.
The best option depends on your hosting environment, technical experience, website complexity and recovery requirements.
| Backup method | Best suited for | Main consideration |
|---|---|---|
| cPanel backup tools | Websites using compatible cPanel hosting | Backup features vary by hosting provider |
| WordPress backup plugins | Businesses wanting scheduled backups | Requires correct configuration and testing |
| Manual file and database backup | Developers and technical users | More steps and greater risk of human error |
| Managed hosting backups | Websites using managed hosting services | Retention and recovery terms depend on the provider |
Many businesses benefit from combining methods rather than relying on a single backup location.
Method 1: How to Back Up WordPress Using cPanel
cPanel is a hosting control panel used by many WordPress hosting providers.
Depending on your hosting package, it may provide tools for downloading files, exporting databases and creating account backups.
Step 1: Log In to cPanel
Access your hosting account and open cPanel.
The available features may vary depending on your hosting provider and account permissions.
Step 2: Open File Manager
Navigate to File Manager and locate your WordPress installation.
On many websites, the files are stored inside public_html.
However, WordPress may be installed in a subdirectory or another configured document root.
Confirm that you are working with the correct website.
Step 3: Create an Archive of the Website Files
Select the relevant WordPress files and directories.
Use the Compress option to create an archive where supported.
Download the archive to a secure location.
Ensure that hidden files, including .htaccess where applicable, have been included.
Avoid leaving unnecessary backup archives inside publicly accessible website directories.
Step 4: Export the WordPress Database
Return to cPanel and open phpMyAdmin.
Identify the database used by the WordPress installation. The database name can usually be found in wp-config.php.
Select the correct database and use the Export function.
For a straightforward export, the Quick method with SQL format may be suitable.
For more complex databases, additional export settings may be necessary.
Download the SQL file and store it securely alongside the website archive.
Step 5: Verify the Backup
Confirm that the website archive and database export exist and can be opened.
Check their sizes and contents.
A complete restoration test in a separate environment provides stronger evidence that the backup is usable.
What About cPanel’s Backup Feature?
Some cPanel accounts provide a Backup or Backup Wizard feature.
These tools may offer full-account or partial backups.
A full-account backup can contain more than the WordPress website, including hosting account settings and potentially email-related data.
Restoring a full-account backup may require hosting-provider assistance or elevated server permissions.
Do not assume that every cPanel account allows a complete account restoration through the user interface.
Method 2: How to Back Up WordPress Using a Plugin
WordPress backup plugins can automate much of the backup process.
Popular options include UpdraftPlus, Duplicator and other established backup solutions.
Their available features differ by product and subscription.
A typical plugin setup involves installing the plugin, selecting a backup schedule and configuring a suitable storage destination.
Step 1: Install a Suitable Backup Plugin
Open the WordPress dashboard and navigate to Plugins.
Choose a reputable, actively maintained backup plugin compatible with your WordPress environment.
Review its documentation and supported restoration options.
Step 2: Configure the Backup Schedule
Decide how frequently the website needs to be backed up.
A small informational website may require less frequent backups than an active WooCommerce store.
Step 3: Choose a Storage Destination
Where supported, configure secure off-server storage.
Keeping the only backup on the same hosting account can be risky because a server failure or account compromise may affect both the website and its backup.
Step 4: Run the First Backup
Create an initial backup and confirm that it completes successfully.
Check whether both files and database information are included.
Step 5: Test Restoration
Use a staging or other suitable isolated environment to verify that the backup can be restored.
A successful backup notification alone is not proof that the recovery process works.
Method 3: How to Back Up WordPress Manually
Manual backups provide greater control but require more technical knowledge.
The basic process involves copying the website files and exporting the database.
Files can be downloaded using a suitable file transfer method, such as SFTP, or through the hosting control panel.
The database can be exported using phpMyAdmin or supported command-line tools.
It is important to keep the file and database copies consistent, especially on websites that change frequently.
Manual backups can be useful before migrations, major software changes or troubleshooting work.
However, they are generally less convenient than automated backups for ongoing protection.
Method 4: Using Managed Hosting Backups
Some hosting providers include automated backups as part of their services.
These may offer scheduled backup points, retention periods and restoration tools.
Before relying on hosting backups, confirm exactly what is included.
Ask how frequently backups are created, where they are stored, how long they are retained and whether you can restore them independently.
Also establish what happens if the hosting account is suspended, the server fails or the provider becomes unavailable.
An independent backup can provide additional protection.
How Often Should You Back Up a WordPress Website?
Backup frequency should reflect how much information your business can afford to lose.
A brochure website that changes once a month has different requirements from an online store processing orders throughout the day.
| Website type | Example backup approach |
|---|---|
| Small informational website | Daily or weekly, depending on changes |
| Frequently updated blog | Daily, with backups before significant changes |
| Business enquiry website | Daily or more frequently where records are important |
| WooCommerce store | Frequent database protection based on transaction volume |
| High-activity membership website | More frequent backups and tested recovery procedures |
These are illustrative starting points, not universal requirements.
Two useful concepts are the recovery point objective (RPO), which describes the maximum acceptable data loss, and the recovery time objective (RTO), which describes the target time to restore service.
For example, if losing a day’s orders would be unacceptable, a single daily database backup may not meet the business’s recovery requirements.
How to Restore a WordPress Website from a Backup
The restoration method depends on how the backup was created and what caused the problem.
Before restoring anything, identify the most suitable recovery point.
A backup from before a plugin update may help resolve a compatibility issue, but it may also remove content or transactions created after that backup.
For an online store, this requires particular care.
Step 1: Identify the Problem
Determine whether the website is affected by a plugin conflict, database error, missing files, hosting failure or security incident.
Not every problem requires a complete restoration.
For example, disabling a faulty plugin may resolve a problem without replacing the entire website.
Step 2: Preserve the Current State
Where practical, create a copy of the current website and database before making changes.
This helps preserve information that may not exist in the older backup.
For security incidents, evidence may also be important for investigation.
Step 3: Prepare the Recovery Environment
Confirm that the hosting environment supports the required PHP, database and WordPress versions.
Create or identify the correct database and confirm the required access details.
Step 4: Restore the Website Files
Using the appropriate hosting or restoration tool, restore the files from the selected backup.
If using cPanel File Manager, this may involve uploading and extracting an archive into the correct document root.
Be careful not to overwrite unrelated websites or account files.
Step 5: Restore the Database
Use phpMyAdmin or another supported database tool to import the SQL backup.
Ensure that the database configuration in wp-config.php corresponds to the restored database.
Database imports may require additional steps when working with large websites or existing tables.
Step 6: Check the Website URL
If the website is being restored to a different domain or staging environment, URL references may need updating.
WordPress data can contain serialised values, so indiscriminate search-and-replace operations can damage stored information.
Use WordPress-aware migration tools or suitable WP-CLI commands when changing URLs.
Step 7: Test the Restored Website
Open the homepage and several internal pages.
Check images, navigation, forms, plugins and administrative access.
For WooCommerce, verify products, checkout configuration and order records.
Confirm that the website is functioning correctly before returning it to normal operation.
How to Restore WordPress After a Failed Plugin Update
Plugin updates occasionally cause compatibility problems.
If the website becomes inaccessible after an update, the first step is to identify the affected plugin.
Depending on the circumstances, it may be possible to disable the plugin through WordPress recovery mode, WP-CLI or the hosting file manager.
If the issue cannot be resolved safely, restoring a known working backup may be appropriate.
However, restoring the entire database can remove information created after the backup.
For active websites, a targeted recovery may be preferable.
Always investigate the cause before repeating the same update.
How to Restore a Hacked WordPress Website
A compromised website requires more than simply restoring an old backup.
If the original vulnerability remains, the website may be compromised again.
Recovery should include investigating the incident, identifying affected accounts and files, reviewing access credentials and correcting the underlying security weakness.
A clean backup may provide a suitable restoration point, but it should be verified.
Security updates, access reviews and appropriate monitoring should form part of the recovery process.
Where sensitive personal information may have been exposed, the business may also have legal or regulatory obligations.
WordPress Backup Mistakes to Avoid
Keeping Every Backup on the Same Server
If the hosting environment becomes unavailable or compromised, locally stored backups may also be lost.
Backing Up Files Without the Database
A file-only backup does not normally contain the complete website’s content and settings.
Never Testing a Restoration
A backup that has never been tested may fail when urgently needed.
Using an Outdated Backup for an Active Store
Restoring an old database can remove recent orders, customer records and other changes.
Leaving Backup Archives Publicly Accessible
Backup files can contain sensitive information and should not be exposed through public website URLs.
Assuming Hosting Backups Are Permanent
Backup retention policies vary. Some hosting services retain copies for only a limited period.
How to Build a Reliable WordPress Backup Strategy
A good backup strategy considers frequency, storage, retention and recovery.
The commonly used 3-2-1 approach recommends maintaining three copies of important data, using two storage types or systems, with one copy stored off-site.
For website environments, the underlying principle is to avoid relying on a single copy or single point of failure.
Depending on business requirements, additional protections may include encrypted backups, immutable storage and separate administrator credentials.
A backup plan should also identify who is responsible for monitoring failures and carrying out restoration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Back Up WordPress Without a Plugin?
Yes. You can copy website files and export the database using cPanel, SFTP, phpMyAdmin or other supported tools.
Does cPanel Automatically Back Up My Website?
Not necessarily. Backup availability and schedules depend on the hosting provider and account configuration.
Can I Restore WordPress to a Different Hosting Provider?
Yes, provided the backup is suitable and the destination hosting environment supports the website’s requirements.
Will Restoring a Backup Delete New Content?
It can. Restoring an older database may overwrite posts, enquiries, orders and other information created after the backup.
How Long Does a WordPress Restoration Take?
Recovery time depends on website size, backup quality, hosting performance, technical complexity and the cause of the failure.
Can I Back Up a WooCommerce Store?
Yes. However, active stores require careful consideration of order data, backup frequency and recovery procedures.
Should I Back Up WordPress Before Updating Plugins?
Creating or confirming a suitable recent backup before significant updates is strongly recommended.
Is a Backup Plugin Better Than cPanel?
Neither method is automatically better. The right choice depends on the website, available features and recovery requirements.
Protect Your WordPress Website Before Something Goes Wrong
Website backups are not simply a technical precaution. They are part of protecting your business’s online operations.
A reliable backup strategy should include website files, database information, secure storage, appropriate backup frequency and tested restoration procedures.
At Web Anatomy, we help businesses manage WordPress websites, hosting environments, updates and technical problems.
Whether you need assistance with WordPress maintenance, a website migration or recovering a broken website, having a dependable recovery process can make a significant difference.
Need help protecting or restoring your WordPress website?
Explore Web Anatomy’s Website Maintenance Services or contact Web Anatomy to discuss your website requirements.
Last updated: 10 November 2026.
