Skip to content

Backing up WordPress

If your data's important, back it up — we recommend adhering to the 3:2:1 rule with respect to backups: 3 copies of your data in at least two locations with 1 copy off-site.

Your live copy doesn't count in this context, as it's publicly available. At the very least, back that copy up on Fused, and ensure it's duplicated in at least two locations any time sizable changes are made to your data.

Using Installatron's backups

If you've used Installatron to install WordPress, you'll have at least one backup available by default. You can retrieve those backups & duplicate them in another location like such:

  1. Login to cPanel.
  2. Navigate to Installatron
  3. Within the Installatron interface, you'll see a list of your installations.
  4. Select the My Backups tab, and use the various links to download copies.

If no backups are visible...

If no backups are visible in the My Backups tab, navigate back to My Applications, check the relevant install on the right-hand side, and select Backup down below. This will generate a backup you can then download from the My Backups tab.

Retrieving backups via cPanel

To generate a full backup of your WordPress installation, follow the steps below:

  1. Login to cPanel
  2. Navigate to the backup function. You can either use the Backup or Backup wizard option.
  3. Select the preferred backup type & save this file in a safe location.

For WordPress, you'll want your databases & the home directory content.

Types of backups within cPanel

Name Type Location
Full backup A full backup contains 100% of your web hosting account data /home/username/backup-m-dd-year_hh_mm_ss_username.tar.gz
Home directory backup A backup of just your account's files (includes email). Does not contain databases When the home directory backup link is selected, it's automatically downloaded to your computer
MySQL Database Backup Contains the contents of a single MySQL database. When selected, it downloads direct to your computer
Email Forwarders Contains a list of any email forwarders / distribution lists you have configured When selected, downloads direct to your computer
Email Filters Contains a list of any spam filtering rules you've created When selected, downloads direct to your computer