I am sure that most marketers are aware that it makes sense to backup your computer.
Anyone who has stared at the BSOD, otherwise known as the Blue Screen Of Death, will know all about that sinking feeling that you get when you realize you may well have lost everything on your computer.
If it is not lost then it could be if you have to reload your operating system.
I have had that sinking feeling twice on two different computers so you may well understand that I like to backup. Lesson hard learned!
Problems can occur for any number of reasons from system failures to hacking so it makes sense to backup your blog as well where you may have lots of content which has taken you a lot of hard work, a lot of time, some frustration and so on.
I have been researching the options available so I can start taking backups regularly and get some peace of mind.
There seems to be three main options and these are:
- the built-in Export feature on WordPress
- WordPress backup plugin
- manual database backup
Option 1 is quick and easy and shouldn’t present any problems however there are limitations:
- will only backup users, posts, comments and categories
- will not backup links
- is limited to 64MB upload limit
You can do this by going to your blog admin, then go to “Tools” and click on “Export”. You will then be taken to an “Export” page.
There all you have to do is click on “Download Export File”. You will then be taken to your normal pop-up where you can open or save file.
Save file to your Desktop or any other place that is convenient to you.
Option 2 is a downloadable plugin which will backup your entire site not just the database, can schedule backups and can also email the backup to you.
Limitations are:
- you can only restore manually using something similiar to PHPMyAdmin as there is no restore function in WordPress
- a greater learning curve
NB. at the time of writing this there are some compatibility issues with the latest WordPress update (2.8.1) which I am sure will be fixed soon.
Option 3 is a manual backup and would probably be more suitable to people who are comfortable with PHPMyAdmin via CPanel.
Not really for inexperienced people.
Having said that I came across an excellent video which may encourage you to have a look at manual backups. It is about upgrading your WordPress blog but has a lot of excellent advice about backing up your blog first.
Well, that is the results of my research into backing up a WordPress blog.
I hope it helps and I would welcome any comments which improve on this or otherwise.
Good luck!
Related Posts:
Tagged with: Backup Option • Backup Users • Blue Screen Of Death • Bsod • Compatibility Issues • database backup • Email Backup • Export Feature • Frustration • Learning Curve • Manual Database • Marketers • Nb • Operating System • Option 1 • Peace Of Mind • Sinking Feeling • System Failures • Two Different Computers • Wordpress backup • Wordpress Blog
Filed under: Coaching • Internet Marketing
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Dave,
Thanks for sharing your research on beacking up WordPress blogs. And for the video, of course.
Keep going!
Hello Heine,
Thanks for your comment.
It is good to know the posts are read and may help someone somewhere.
Dave
Hey Dave,
Great post! I too am a firm beiever in back-ups after learning the hard way! The video is really good info and plays well to those of us who would rather “watch” than “read”. What can I say…I am part of the “boob tube” generation of the ’70s!!
Best of luck.
Lee
.-= Lee´s last blog ..Submitting to Directories for Quick Link Building =-.
Hi Lee,
Thanks for the comment. Yes, backing up is one of the technical things that I am
never quite sure about. I back up my computer both here and online if only for the
peace of mind!
From a button-pusher,
Dave
Hey Dave,
Thanks for hooking out this video and explaining the backup process.
I’ll definitely be following the video when I do my next upgrade.
Keep in touch,
Andrew.
Hi Andrew,
I think there is more than one way to skin the backup cat but I thought this would be useful to others as well as me.
I am actually using the export option weekly so I don’t lose any posts.
Thanks for the comment.
Dave
Dave,
Just a quick one.
For some reason, visitors to your blog are getting a pop up asking for your password?
Might want to check that out.
Andrew.
Dave
I must remember to come back and do this – I havent done so yet and will be in the brown stuff if i lose everything after all this work.
Thanks for sharing mate
Hi Dave
Thanks for sharing, I wanted to backup and re-install my old blog, but could not find any good information on it. So thanks again
Avis
.-= avis williams´s last blog ..Get More Traffic To Your Website – Using A Free Social Bookmark Submitter =-.
Hi Avis,
Glad it helped.The video is quite good I thought. It certainly taught me a few things.
Regards,
Dave
Dave,
Great post! I chose option 2, the backup plugin, which I’ve found very practical to use. When you say its limittion is that “you can only restore manually using something similiar to PHPMyAdmin as there is no restore function in WordPress”, is it because the other options do offer a restore function?
The other posts in your blog are also fine reading, I’ve got to keep coming back!
Jose
.-= Jose´s last blog ..My fellow students and an optin form =-.
Hi Jose,
Glad to hear that the post is helpful.
The limitation mentioned is that you should be able to find your way around CPanel i.e. there is no magic, one-click import button as there is with Option 1
I don’t think this would be a problem for most people.
Dave
Dave,
I never would have thought to back up my blog (kinda thought my hosting company did that kind of stuff!) until reading various forum posts about it. Your post really outlines well how to go about this, and it serving a very important role! Thanks. -Norene
.-= Norene´s last blog ..A Key to Building a Successful Internet Business: Maintain Focus =-.
Hello Norene,
Kind comments indeed! Thank you.
I think the quality of your posts is more to the point. They say write great content and that is exactly what you do.
I enjoy reading the posts and will continue to do so.
Regards,
David
i’ve done it
thankz bro.
Hi,
You’re more than welcome
Dave