If you run a WordPress website, one of the most important things you should do is keep a proper backup of your site. Anything can go wrong on a website at any time, whether it is due to human error, a plugin issue, or even a security attack. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to backup WordPress website for free using the UpdraftPlus plugin, and why regular backups are so important for every website owner.
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Many people ignore backups in the beginning because everything seems to be working fine. But when a website starts growing or becomes a source of income, losing data can be stressful. Taking regular backups keeps you relaxed because you always have a safe copy of your site that can be restored whenever needed.
What is a Website Backup and Why Do You Need It?
Before learning how to backup wordpress site manually, it is important to understand what a website backup actually is. A website backup is simply an extra copy of your website stored on another server or cloud storage. If anything goes wrong with your live site, you can restore this backup and bring your site back to its previous working state.
A complete WordPress website backup usually consists of two things. The first part is your website files, which include themes, plugins, images, and code files. The second part is your MySQL database, which stores your blog posts, comments, users, and other important data. Both of these together make your website function properly.
Backups save you a lot of time and effort. Without a backup, you may have to rebuild your website from scratch, redesign pages, and rewrite content. But with a backup, you can restore everything in just a few steps.
Possible Reasons Why Your WordPress Website May Stop Working
While learning how to backup WordPress website for free, it also helps to know why websites fail in the first place. Sometimes a website may stop working or some data may get deleted unexpectedly. There are several reasons this can happen.
One common reason is WordPress plugin or theme errors. Many website owners install new plugins or update themes without checking compatibility. If something goes wrong during the update, some files may break or content may disappear.
Another major reason is cyber attacks. Any website on the internet is always exposed to hacking attempts or malware. If a hacker gains control of your site, you may lose data or access entirely. Having a backup allows you to restore your website quickly.
Sometimes errors occur from the developer side as well. If you hired someone to work on your site and they accidentally delete or modify important files, it can affect your website performance or even cause a complete crash.
WordPress updates can also occasionally create problems. Although updates are meant to improve performance, there are rare cases where an update conflicts with existing plugins or themes. That is why it is always recommended to take a backup before updating your site.
Website migration is another situation where backups are very useful. When moving your site from one hosting provider to another, there is always a chance of technical issues. A backup keeps your data secure during the migration process.
When Should You Use a Separate Backup Plugin for WordPress?
Even if your hosting provider offers automatic backups, there are situations where using a separate backup plugin becomes helpful. If your hosting plan does not include backups, you should definitely use your own backup plugin and store backups on cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox.
If you are using a new or less-established hosting provider, there is always some risk involved. In rare cases, hosting services may stop working or suspend accounts without prior notice. Keeping your own backup ensures that you never lose your website data.
Some website owners also prefer using a backup plugin for an extra layer of security. Even when hosting backups exist, people may still want an additional personal copy stored separately. This gives more peace of mind in unexpected situations.
What is UpdraftPlus and Why It Is a Popular Backup Plugin?
To understand how to backup WordPress website for free, we will use a plugin called UpdraftPlus. UpdraftPlus is one of the most widely used WordPress backup plugins with millions of active installations. The plugin allows you to create website backups and restore them easily whenever required.
It offers both free and premium versions, but the free version is good enough for most users. It supports cloud storage integration and allows you to schedule automatic backups without any technical knowledge. The interface is simple and beginner-friendly, which makes the backup process smooth and convenient.
How to Backup WordPress Website for Free Using UpdraftPlus
Now let’s talk about the practical steps for how to backup WordPress website for free using the UpdraftPlus plugin. First, log in to your WordPress dashboard and go to the Plugins section. Click on Add New, search for UpdraftPlus, install it, and then activate the plugin.
Once activated, go to Settings and select UpdraftPlus Backups. Inside the plugin dashboard, you will find the Settings tab where you can configure your backup schedule. You can select how often backups should be created and how many copies should be stored.
If your website receives frequent updates or traffic, you may choose a shorter backup interval. Database backups usually take less storage compared to file backups, but running too many backups at once may consume resources, so choose settings wisely.
The next step is connecting your remote storage. UpdraftPlus supports multiple cloud storage services, but Google Drive and Dropbox are available for free users. Many people prefer Dropbox because it is simple and reliable.
Click on Dropbox, authorize your account, and allow access when prompted. Once the setup is complete, your cloud storage details will appear in the UpdraftPlus dashboard. From here, you can view your existing backups or restore them whenever required.
If you want to see your stored backups in Dropbox, log into your Dropbox account and open the Apps folder. Inside it, you will find a folder named UpdraftPlus.com, which contains all your backup files.
To restore a backup, go to the Backup/Restore tab inside the plugin dashboard and select Restore on the backup you want to recover. Choose the components such as plugins, Websites Themes, uploads, or database, and continue the restore process. Once done, your website will return to its previous working state.
Should You Use UpdraftPlus for WordPress Website Backup?
UpdraftPlus is one of the most practical tools for people learning how to backup WordPress website for free. The free version is enough for small to medium-sized websites and is simple for beginners to understand. You can create backups, store them in cloud storage, and restore them without any difficulty.
The premium plan adds extra features, but it may feel slightly expensive for some users, especially if they only need basic backup functionality. For most website owners, the free plan works perfectly fine.
Final Thoughts on How to Backup WordPress Website for Free
Backing up your WordPress Website is not just a technical step — it is a safety practice that protects your hard work. Whether it is due to technical issues, hacking, developer mistakes, or migration, having a backup ensures that your website can always be restored.
Using the UpdraftPlus plugin is one of the easiest ways to learn how to backup WordPress website for free. It is easy to use, beginner-friendly, and reliable for everyday website backup needs.
