How To Setup Your WordPress Database Backup

In this tutorial, I’ll be showing you how to setup your WordPress database backup in case an unforeseen catastrophe happens, and your WordPress site goes down. You should already have a system in place for your WordPress backups, but if not, you’re about to.

Step 1: Grab a WordPress Database Backup Plugin

I use a plugin by Austin Matzko called WordPress Database Backup. Download it and locate the .zip file.

Step 2: Upload the Plugin to WordPress

Now that you have located the .zip file, login to your dashboard. If you’ve upload a plugin before, you’re familiar with the steps I am about to go over. If not, pay attention.

Step 2.1: Click “Plugins” > Add New

Step 2.2: If you’re running WordPress 2.8+, at the top of the Install Plugins page is a link titled “Upload”. Click it.

Step 2.3: Click the “Browse” button and select the .zip file for the WordPress Database Backup Plugin. Click “Install Now”.

Step 2.4: Once the plugin has been successful installed, click the “Activate Plugin” link. This will activate the plugin so it will be enabled for use on your WordPress Website.

Step 3: Configure the WordPress Database Plugin

Step 3.1: Click “Tools” > Backup

Step 3.2: You’re now at the WordPress Database Backup configure screen where you can:

A. Backup Tables – By default, WordPress backs up all tables. But if you have plugin that also uses tables, make sure you select it to the right.

B. Set your Backup Options – You can save your backups to your server, download them to your computer (recommended), or email a copy to yourself.

C. Schedule your Backups – This is the best part about the WordPress Database Backup plugin. You can schedule your backups by the hour, day or week.

Step 3.3: Once you’ve made your selections, click “Schedule backup”.

Congratulations! You’re done.

Give yourself a WordPress hi-five.