Taking regular backups of your WordPress site is important to protect against data loss, corruption, security threats or accidental damage.

UpdraftPlus is one of the most popular free backup plugins that makes the process easy and flexible. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to fully back up your WordPress site using UpdraftPlus in just a few simple steps.

How to Backup a WordPress Website Using UpdraftPlus – Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1 – Install and Activate UpdraftPlus Plugin

Go to Plugins > Add New in your WordPress dashboard. Search for the UpdraftPlus plugin and install and activate it.

Most websites can use the free version which offers everything needed for comprehensive backups, and in this guide, we’ll be using the free version.

Step 2 – Configure Your Backup Settings

In the WordPress dashboard sidebar, open the UpdraftPlus settings page by going to Settings > UpdraftPlus Backup then click on the tab, Settings.

Under the Backup Settings tab, configure:

• What to backup: Files, database or both
• Where to store backups: Cloud or other remote destinations. In this guide, we’ll go with Google Drive.
• How often scheduled backups run: Daily, weekly etc.

Enable other options like multi-site capability, split archives and encryption based on your specific needs.

Once your backup settings are configured, scroll down to the bottom and click “Save Changes” so your preferences stick. Re-open settings in the future anytime to adjust backups.

Step 4 – Run a Manual Backup

Before only relying on scheduled backups, it’s smart to manually test the backup process. Switch to the “Back Up/Restore” tab and then click “Backup Now” button.

UpdraftPlus will now back up your site files and database to those locations. Give it time to complete and then verify backups were saved properly in the destinations you picked.

Step 5 – Schedule and Automate Backups

Instead of needing to remember manual backups, go back to Settings and configure a schedule for automatic backups based on when best fits your site. Daily or even twice daily is usually ideal.

Conclusion

And that’s it.

With UpdraftPlus properly installed and configured, your WordPress site now has comprehensive yet automated backup protection. Be sure to periodically check the backup history and downloads to confirm the process is running smoothly.

Enjoy peace of mind knowing your data is protected.