How To Backup WordPress

Backup Creator is a basic WordPress plug-in for backing up, restoring, and migrating WordPress websites. I purchased this plugin soon after it was released because I know that Robert Plank typically releases good products that he improves over time. The Backup process is a quick one button backup. But it only backs up your content and theme files. It does not backup the WordPress tables or files. So to restore your site you have to first install WordPress on the destination server and then install the plug-in to restore the files. To restore a site or migrate a site using Backup Creator you have to first install WordPress and have a license key.

Backup Creator is no longer multisite. It is only multisite if you purchase a developer license. Backup Creator cost more but still lacks simple features such as automatic updates. After you do the manual update you have to reenter your License Key to use the plugin.

Backup Buddy is a complete backup, restore, and migrate solution for WordPress websites. I have been using Backup Buddy since June of 2010. You can backup your WordPress website or blog by clicking a button or you can schedule updates to run at a later date. During the backup process you can choose to backup just your database or your entire website. When I say entire website I mean all databases, WordPress files, themes, plug-ins, and any other directories such as the cgi-bin. You can download the backup to your desktop or have it sent to a different location. The backup can be automatically or manually sent to email, dropbox, ftp, Rackspace, or Amazon S3. It has recently been updated to include support for WordPress Multisite.

Backupbuddy now offers the ability to perform a security scan and password protect backups. Backup Buddy continues to get better.

While I do own a license to both plugins, Backup Buddy will continue to be my go to backup, restore, and migration solution. Primarily because it backs up the entire website and can be migrated without having to install WordPress. The backup scheduler is also a great addition during my busy seasons.