Updraft Backup Basics for Beginners - UpdraftPlus

Introduction

If you’ve got a WordPress website, you already know how much time and effort goes into keeping it running smoothly. But what happens when something goes wrong—a server crash, a hack, or even just a mistake on your part? It’s not a fun thought, but that’s exactly why backups are so important. They’re your safety net, making sure you don’t lose everything you’ve worked so hard to create.

That’s where UpdraftPlus comes in. It’s one of the most popular WordPress backup plugins out there, and for good reason. It’s easy to use, reliable, and packed with features that make managing backups simple, even if you’re not super tech-savvy. In this post, I’ll walk you through the basics of UpdraftPlus so you can get started protecting your site today—no experience required.

What is UpdraftPlus?

If you’ve been exploring WordPress backup solutions, you’ve probably come across UpdraftPlus—one of the most popular and highly-rated backup plugins out there. And for good reason! UpdraftPlus is like your website’s safety net, designed to make backups and restorations simple and stress-free, even if you’re new to WordPress.

Here’s a breakdown of what makes UpdraftPlus a beginner-friendly yet powerful tool for managing your website’s backups:

Key Features: Backup, Restore, and Scheduling

At its core, UpdraftPlus does three main things—and it does them well:

1. Backup: This is the bread and butter of the plugin. With just a couple of clicks, you can create a complete backup of your website, including your database, files, themes, plugins, and even uploads.
2. Restore: Accidentally broke your site during a plugin update? No problem. Restoring your website to a previous version is super easy with UpdraftPlus. It takes the stress out of those “oops” moments.
3. Scheduling: Forget to make backups manually? UpdraftPlus has your back! You can schedule backups to happen automatically on a daily, weekly, or even monthly basis. This feature alone can save you a lot of time and give you peace of mind knowing that your website is regularly protected.

Cloud Storage Compatibility

Another thing that makes UpdraftPlus stand out is its versatility when it comes to storing your backups. You’re not tied to just one option. The plugin supports a variety of cloud storage services, so you can choose what works best for you.

Some of the most popular options include:

• Google Drive
• Dropbox
• Amazon S3
• Microsoft OneDrive
• Rackspace Cloud
• Even direct email backups!

This flexibility ensures your backups are stored securely off-site, reducing the risk of losing your data if something goes wrong with your hosting provider.

Why UpdraftPlus is Perfect for Beginners

What sets UpdraftPlus apart is its intuitive interface and user-friendly setup. You don’t need to be a tech wizard to get started. Once installed, the plugin walks you through setting up your backups and connecting to your preferred cloud storage service.

With UpdraftPlus, you can focus on building your website and leave the backup worries behind. Whether you’re running a personal blog, a business site, or an eCommerce store, this plugin is a must-have for keeping your hard work safe.

Installing UpdraftPlus

UpdraftPlus is a great plugin for backing up your WordPress site, and installing it is simple! Just follow these steps:

1. Log in to Your WordPress Dashboard
   Go to your website and log in to your WordPress account.
2. Go to Plugins > Add New
   On the left side of your dashboard, click on "Plugins," then select "Add New."
3. Search for UpdraftPlus
   In the search bar, type “UpdraftPlus.” Look for the plugin called UpdraftPlus WordPress Backup Plugin.
4. Click “Install Now”
   When you find it, click the blue “Install Now” button.
5. Activate the Plugin
   After it installs, click “Activate” to turn it on.
6. Go to Settings
   Once activated, you’ll see a new option on the left called “UpdraftPlus Backups.” Click on it to open the settings.
7. Set Up Your Backup
   In the settings, you can choose how often to back up your site and where to store the backups (like Google Drive or Dropbox). Just follow the easy setup instructions.

Updraft Backup Basics for Beginners: A Simple Guide to Settings

Backing up your website is one of the most important things you can do to protect it. UpdraftPlus is a great tool to make this easy. If you’re new to the plugin, don't worry! Let’s walk through how to set it up in a few simple steps.

How to Access the Plugin Settings

First, you need to install UpdraftPlus. If you haven't done this yet, go to your WordPress dashboard, click on Plugins > Add New, search for “UpdraftPlus,” and click Install Now.

Once it’s installed, go to Settings > UpdraftPlus Backups. This is where you’ll find all the settings to set up your backups.

Key Settings to Configure

Now let’s go over the key settings you need to adjust to start backing up your site.

• Backup Schedule: This setting controls how often UpdraftPlus will make backups. You can choose to back up your site daily, weekly, or monthly. If you update your site often, daily backups are a good idea. If your site doesn’t change much, weekly backups might work just fine.
• File Retention: This setting decides how many backups you want to keep. For example, you might choose to keep 2 or 3 backups at a time. Older backups will be deleted automatically once you reach your limit, so you don’t end up using too much storage.
• Remote Storage: Storing your backups in the cloud is a good idea so they’re safe, even if something happens to your website. UpdraftPlus lets you choose a cloud service, like Google Drive, Dropbox, or Amazon S3, to store your backups. After selecting a service, you'll need to connect your account, and UpdraftPlus will start saving backups there.

Once you’ve set these up, your website will be regularly backed up, and your backups will be stored safely in the cloud. UpdraftPlus makes it simple to keep your site secure without a lot of hassle!

Performing a Manual Backup

If you're ready to take control of your backups and create one immediately, here’s how to perform a manual backup with UpdraftPlus:

1. Log Into Your WordPress Dashboard
   Start by logging into your WordPress admin panel.
2. Navigate to UpdraftPlus
   On the left-hand side of the dashboard, click on Settings and then select UpdraftPlus Backups from the dropdown.
3. Start a Backup
   Once you're on the UpdraftPlus settings page, you’ll see a button labeled Backup Now. Click on it to begin the backup process.
4. Choose Backup Options
   A pop-up window will appear with options. Make sure all the boxes for Database, Plugins, Themes, and Uploads are checked. This ensures that all important parts of your site are backed up. Click Backup Now again to confirm.
5. Wait for the Backup to Complete
   The backup process might take a few minutes depending on the size of your website. UpdraftPlus will notify you when the backup is finished.

Verifying Your Backup

After the backup is complete, it’s crucial to verify that the backup files were created successfully. Here’s how:

1. Go to the Existing Backups Tab
   On the UpdraftPlus settings page, scroll down to the Existing Backups section.
2. Check the Backup Files
   You should see the most recent backup listed here. Ensure that each file type (Database, Plugins, Themes, etc.) shows a “Completed” status.
3. Download the Backup Files
   For extra peace of mind, click on the Download buttons next to each backup file. This lets you store them securely on your computer, ensuring they are safely saved outside of your website’s server.

By following these simple steps, you can perform a manual backup with confidence. Always remember to verify your backups to ensure they are complete and accessible when you need them most!

Restoring from a Backup

Restoring your website from a backup is a simple process, but it’s important to follow each step carefully to ensure everything is recovered correctly. Here's a straightforward guide on how to restore your site from a saved backup using UpdraftPlus.

1. Log into Your WordPress Dashboard
   Start by logging into your WordPress admin panel. This is where you can manage all your site settings, including backups.
2. Go to UpdraftPlus Settings
   On the left-hand menu, hover over Settings and click on UpdraftPlus Backups. This will take you to the UpdraftPlus plugin page where you can manage your backups.
3. Find the Backup You Want to Restore
   In the UpdraftPlus settings page, you'll see a list of all your saved backups. Each backup will show the date and time it was created, along with the type of backup (files, database, plugins, etc.).
4. Choose Your Backup
   Look for the backup you want to restore and click on the Restore button next to it. If you're restoring a full site, make sure all parts of the backup (files, database, plugins, etc.) are selected.
5. Start the Restoration Process
   After selecting what you want to restore, click the Restore button. UpdraftPlus will begin the restoration process. This might take a few minutes depending on the size of your site.
6. Wait for the Process to Complete
   Once the restoration is complete, UpdraftPlus will notify you. You’ll be given an option to return to your site, where you should check everything to make sure it’s restored properly.
7. Verify Your Site
   Finally, take the time to browse your website and check that all content, images, and settings are back to the way they were before the issue occurred. Make sure everything is working smoothly.

Restoring from a backup is a lifesaver when things go wrong. By following these easy steps, you can quickly recover your site and get it back online without too much stress!

Tips and Best Practices for Updraft Backup

When it comes to backups, it’s crucial to do more than just set it and forget it. Here are a few tips to make sure your Updraft backups are working for you:

1. Regularly Test Your Backups
   It’s easy to assume that your backups will work when you need them, but the only way to be sure is to test them. Periodically restore a backup to make sure everything is intact and working as expected. This simple step can save you a lot of headaches down the road if something goes wrong.
2. Keep Multiple Backup Copies in Different Locations
   Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Store your backups in more than one location—like your website, cloud storage, or even an external drive. This way, if one backup source fails or gets compromised, you’ll have other copies to fall back on.
3. Upgrade to the Premium Version for Advanced Features
   If you find yourself needing more flexibility or features, consider upgrading to the premium version of Updraft. Premium features include advanced backup options, more storage locations, and enhanced scheduling—giving you more control over your backup strategy.

Following these simple yet effective practices will help you keep your website safe and ensure your backups are always ready when you need them.

Conclusion

In today's digital world, website security is more important than ever, and backups are a critical part of that. No matter how secure your website is, unexpected issues like server crashes, hacking attempts, or human errors can happen. Having a reliable backup in place ensures that you can quickly recover and get your site back online without losing valuable data.

UpdraftPlus is an easy-to-use and powerful tool that can help protect your WordPress site. By setting it up, you'll have peace of mind knowing that your website's data is safe and secure. Don't wait for a disaster to strike—take action now and set up UpdraftPlus to safeguard your site today!