How to Backup Your WordPress Site (Free Methods That Actually Work)

Most people don’t think about backups until they actually need one — and by then it’s too late. Whether it’s a bad plugin update, a hack, or a server crash, losing your WordPress site without a backup is a nightmare you don’t want to experience.

The good news? Backing up your WordPress site is completely free and takes less than 10 minutes to set up properly.

Why Backups Are Non-Negotiable

Before we get into the how, let’s be clear on the why. Your WordPress site has two main parts that need to be backed up:

1. Files — your themes, plugins, uploads, and WordPress core files
2. Database — all your posts, pages, settings, user data, and comments

If either one is lost or corrupted, your site could go down completely. This is especially important if you’re about to make major changes — and if you’ve read my guide on how to migrate a WordPress site without downtime, you already know that a solid backup is the very first step before any migration.

Method 1: Using UpdraftPlus (Free Plugin — Recommended)

UpdraftPlus is the most popular WordPress backup plugin, with over 3 million active installations. The free version is more than enough for most websites.

How to Set It Up

Step 1: Go to your WordPress dashboard → Plugins → Add New → Search for “UpdraftPlus” → Install and Activate.

Step 2: Go to Settings → UpdraftPlus Backups → click the Settings tab.

Step 3: Set your backup schedule. I recommend:

• Files: Weekly
• Database: Daily

Step 4: Choose a remote storage location. The free version supports Google Drive, Dropbox, Amazon S3, and more. Google Drive is the easiest option.

Step 5: Click Save Changes, then go back to the main tab and hit Backup Now to run your first backup.

That’s it. UpdraftPlus will now run automatically on your chosen schedule and store copies offsite.

Why Offsite Storage Matters

Never store your only backup on the same server as your website. If the server goes down or gets hacked, you lose both the site and the backup. Always save to Google Drive, Dropbox, or any external location.

Method 2: Manual Backup via cPanel

If you prefer not to use a plugin, or you want to create a quick one-time backup, cPanel makes it simple.

For database backup:

1. Log into your cPanel → find phpMyAdmin
2. Select your WordPress database from the left sidebar
3. Click Export → choose Quick format → click Go
4. Your .sql file will download

For files backup:

1. In cPanel → go to File Manager
2. Select your public_html folder (or wherever WordPress is installed)
3. Right-click → Compress → download the zip file

This method gives you a full snapshot of your site at any point in time.

Method 3: Your Hosting Provider’s Built-In Backups

Many hosting providers — especially managed WordPress hosts like Kinsta, WP Engine, or SiteGround — include automatic daily backups in their plans. Check your hosting dashboard to see if this is already running for you.

If you’re not sure which host to use, my guide on how to choose the best WordPress hosting covers exactly what features to look for, including backup policies.

How to Restore a Backup

Knowing how to back up is only half the job — you also need to know how to restore.

With UpdraftPlus: Go to Settings → UpdraftPlus → click the Existing Backups tab → find your backup → click Restore → select what to restore (files, database, or both).

Manual restore:

• Re-upload your files via FTP or File Manager
• Import your .sql file back into phpMyAdmin

Backup Best Practices

• 3-2-1 Rule: Keep 3 copies of your backup, on 2 different media, with 1 offsite
• Test your backups regularly by doing a test restore on a local environment
• Always backup before installing a new plugin or updating themes
• Keep at least 30 days of backup history if possible

Not testing your backups is actually one of the top mistakes WordPress beginners make — along with skipping security measures. Pair your backup routine with my WordPress security guide for full protection.

Final Thoughts

A backup takes minutes to set up and can save you days of work. Whether you go with UpdraftPlus, manual cPanel backups, or your host’s built-in system — just pick one and do it today.

The best backup is the one you actually have.