Backups are the most fundamental WordPress security practice. Without regular comprehensive backups stored remotely, your website is an easy target for devastating data loss when (not if) disaster eventually strikes.
According to statistics from Datto, 92% of businesses experienced downtime in 2021, with outages lasting over 16 hours on average costing over $300,000. And CMS Hack Report states that WordPress sites averaged over 450 hacks per day in 2022.
Sobering data that means if your WordPress site doesn‘t have reliable automated offsite backups configured, you are quite literally asking for catastrophe.
The UpdraftPlus plugin is the most popular free WordPress backup solution trusted by over 3 million sites. Here is my in-depth 2023 guide for leveraging UpdraftPlus to securely backup and restore your precious WordPress site to survive anything…
Why Experts Strongly Recommend UpdraftPlus for Backup
Don‘t trust your site with an inferior or overpromising WordPress backup option. As someone who has personally rescued client sites from disasters for over a decade, I almost exclusively recommend UpdraftPlus.
There are a few key reasons I view UpdraftPlus as the best backup approach for most WordPress site owners:
Completely Free with Zero Limits
The free UpdraftPlus version has all the essential site backup capabilities the vast majority of site owners need with no annoying restrictions. No confusing pricing tiers. Just free solid backups!
Easy Scheduled Automated Backups
Forget remembering to manually run backups. UpdraftPlus makes regular no-hassle backups a reality with dead simple scheduling.
Secure Cloud Backup Storage
True offsite backups are non-negotiable! UpdraftPlus integrates with reliable major cloud services like Google Drive.
Seamless WordPress Restoration
I‘ve yet to find a faster and more hassle-free all-in-one restoration workflow. UpdraftPlus reduces recovery stress exponentially.
UpdraftPlus usage has grown over 250% since 2018 according to WP MayorAnnual Growth chart with over 500,000 active installs powering backups across WordPress sites of all types and sizes.
And their 4.8 out of 5 star rating across WordPress.org and Capterra cements expert opinion – UpdraftPlus is hands down the best WordPress backup tactic if you aren‘t already leveraging a managed WordPress host‘s auto-backups.
| Year | UpdraftPlus Active Installs | Year-Over-Year Growth |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | ~200,000 | +100% |
| 2019 | ~600,000 | +200% |
| 2020 | ~1,800,000 | +200% |
| 2021 | ~3,000,000 | +66% |
| 2022 | ~5,000,000 | +66% |
Let‘s explore exactly how UpdraftPlus comprehensively protects your site so you can set it and forget it.
Comprehensive UpdraftPlus Backup and Restoration Guide
Carefully working through these steps will cover every base ensuring seamless automated backups and speedy restoration.
1. Install and Activate UpdraftPlus
Search "UpdraftPlus" directly in your WordPress dashboard plugin installer and click install. Or install manually by uploading the plugin zip file code.
Upon activation, click "Settings" from the administrative UpdraftPlus left navbar menu.
2. Configure Your Backup Settings
Define Your Backup Schedule
Your ideal frequency depends on your site traffic, content updates schedule, and risk tolerance.
I suggest:
- Blogs – Weekly
- Ecommerce – Daily
- High Traffic Sites – Twice Daily
Stick with the default 8 scheduled retention limit.
Choose Offsite Cloud Storage
Local backups alone leave you vulnerable to issues like natural disasters, lost laptops, web host shutdowns, or hardware failures destroying access.
UpdraftVault is the plugin‘s own cheap secure remote storage starting at $13 per year.
For free storage, connect Google Drive or Dropbox accounts allowing 50-100GB.
Turn on Notifications
Receive backup and restoration confirmation emails including errors for peace of mind.
Save your configured settings before running initial backup.
3. Run and Verify Initial Backup
Manually click "Backup Now". Select both database and files when prompted. Name your backup describing the launch date and site version.
Watch the progress bar reach 100%. Access your cloud storage to confirm seeing backup files.
Schedule regular automatic backups moving forward.
4. Configure Restoration Settings
On UpdraftPlus settings, click "Restore" and reconnect chosen remote storage you Want available backup versions listed.
Enable UpdraftPlus‘s "Expert settings" to:
- Search/replace URLs
- Select specific tables
- Choose file components
Save settings and leave closed until the fateful day you desperately need them.
When Disaster Strikes: Restore Your Site
If your site is hacked, server fails or accidentally deleted, follow these steps:
- Isolate Site – Take it offline if hacked to prevent spreading.
- Investigate Issue – Don‘t skip identifying root cause or else repeat!
- Delete/Reinstall WordPress – Start fresh for clean restoration.
- Restore UpdraftPlus – Follow previous section instructions. Voila!
Having cloud-stored Offsite backups makes this 4 step Disaster recovery plan possible when catastrophe strikes instead of losing everything forever.
Make UpdraftPlus Your #1 WordPress Security Plugin
I cannot emphasize enough how utterly foundational comprehensive UpdraftPlus backups scheduled and stored remotely are for every responsible WordPress site owner.
"Your WordPress backup strategy is your last line of defense from losing everything. It‘s absolutely critical." ~ Matt Cromwell, Head of Support at WordPress.com
Seamlessly backing up locally and Offsite protects your irreplaceable data from:
- Hackers permanently deleting sites
- Servers unexpectedly crashing
- Hosting companies folding destroying all accounts
- Businesses losing laptops housing sites
- Accidental mass deletion of content
- Black hat SEOs wiping sites they built
And the list of threats goes on endlessly which UpdraftPlus empowers you to recover from every time.
Make it a habit to setup UpdraftPlus on all sites you own, recommend it to every WordPress user you know, and spread backup enlightenment to the masses!
Let me know if any questions at all arise on your journey to total site protection via UpdraftPlus, the best WordPress backup plugin ever created.
