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Backup & Restore WordPress Sites

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How to backup and restore a WordPress website, focusing on creating a manual backup via an XML export and performing a complete backup of files and databases.

Following this guide will help you secure your data and easily restore it to the same or a new WordPress installation when needed.

Step 1: Backing Up Your WordPress Site

A. Exporting Content to an XML File

  • Log into Your WordPress Dashboard: Go to your WordPress admin area.
  • Navigate to Tools > Export: Here, you’ll find the option to export various types of content.
  • Select Content to Export:
    • Choose “All Content” if you want to back up everything—posts, pages, comments, custom fields, categories, and tags.
    • You can also export specific content like just pages or posts, if you prefer.
  • Click on “Download Export File”: This will generate an XML file, called WordPress eXtended RSS (WXR), containing the selected content.
  • Save the XML File: Store it in a safe location on your computer or a secure cloud drive. You can use this file to import your content to another WordPress site if needed.

Note: This XML backup does not include themes, plugins, or media files. For a full backup, proceed with the following steps.

B. Backing Up Database and Site Files

For a complete backup of your WordPress website, including all media files, themes, plugins, and settings, it’s essential to back up the database and files as well. Here are two common methods:

  1. Using a Backup Plugin
    • Popular plugins like UpdraftPlus, Duplicator, or All-in-One WP Migration allow you to schedule regular backups, including databases, media, themes, and plugins.
    • Steps:
      • Install and activate a backup plugin.
      • Go to the plugin settings, choose what to back up, and run a manual backup.
      • Download the backup files to your local system or a cloud storage service for safekeeping.
  2. Manual Backup via cPanel or FTP
    • Download WordPress Files:
      • Use FTP (e.g., FileZilla) to connect to your site’s server, or use File Manager in your hosting cPanel.
      • Go to the root directory (usually public_html or www) and download all files, including the wp-content folder, .htaccess, and wp-config.php.
    • Export Database:
      • In cPanel, go to phpMyAdmin.
      • Select your site’s database, click Export, choose the “Quick” export method, and save the .sql file.

Step 2: Restoring Your WordPress Site

A. Restoring Content from an XML File

  • Log into the New or Existing WordPress Site where you want to restore the content.
  • Navigate to Tools > Import: This section includes various import options.
  • Choose “WordPress”: You may need to install the WordPress Importer plugin if it’s not already installed.
  • Upload the XML File: Click on “Choose File,” select the XML file you downloaded during the export, and click “Upload file and import.”
  • Assign Authors: You’ll be prompted to assign the content to an existing author or create a new one.
  • Import Attachments: Check the box to “Download and import file attachments” if you’d like to include media files.

B. Restoring a Complete Backup

If you’re restoring the entire website, including themes, plugins, and the database:

  1. Restore WordPress Files via FTP or cPanel
    • Upload Files: Use FTP or File Manager to upload all backed-up files to the root directory.
    • Replace wp-content: Ensure the wp-content folder is correctly uploaded to retain all plugins, themes, and media.
  2. Import Database via phpMyAdmin
    • Open phpMyAdmin: Go to phpMyAdmin in your hosting cPanel.
    • Import Database:
      • Select the database associated with your WordPress installation.
      • Click on Import, choose the .sql file from your backup, and click Go to complete the upload.
    • Edit wp-config.php (if necessary): Ensure the database name, username, and password match the new database settings if you are restoring to a different site or server.

Tip: It’s a good idea to keep a few recent backups saved securely. Always test your site after a restoration to ensure everything is working properly.

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