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Imagine spending months building your website, then losing everything to a hack, a failed update, a server fault or a mistaken click on “delete”. It happens more often than most business owners in Ghana expect.
Backups are your website’s insurance policy. When something goes wrong, they let you put the site back the way it was, quickly.
This guide explains what you need to know about WordPress backups and how to protect your website in 2026.
Quick Answer / TL;DR
- Backups protect your website from data loss.
- Always back up both the files and the database.
- Use automatic backups wherever you can.
- Keep copies in more than one place.
- Test your backups now and then.
- Good hosting includes backups so you’re never starting from nothing.
What Is a Website Backup?
A website backup is a copy of your website that you can restore if something goes wrong.
A full backup usually includes:
- Website files
- WordPress core files
- Themes
- Plugins
- Images and uploads
- The database
- Settings
Without a backup, getting lost data back can be hard or impossible.
Why Website Backups Matter
Backups protect you against:
Hacking
Attackers can damage, deface or quietly change your files.
Failed Updates
A plugin, theme or WordPress update can occasionally break a site.
Human Error
Someone on your team deletes the wrong page or folder. It happens.
Server Problems
Hardware faults and other hosting issues can, rarely, affect websites.
Malware
Malware can corrupt files and the database.
What Happens If You Don’t Have Backups?
Without backups you risk:
- Losing your content for good
- Long downtime
- Losing customers and enquiries
- Damaged trust
- Falling search rankings
- Lost sales
Types of WordPress Backups
Full Backup
Includes:
- Website files
- Database
- Themes
- Plugins
- Media files
The best all-round protection.
Database Backup
Includes:
- Posts
- Pages
- Users
- Site settings
It doesn’t include images, themes or plugins.
Incremental Backup
Only saves what has changed since the last backup.
Benefits:
- Faster backups
- Less storage used
Method 1: Back Up WordPress With a Plugin
A plugin is one of the easiest ways to back up.
Popular backup plugins include:
- UpdraftPlus
- BackupBuddy
- Jetpack Backup
- All-in-One WP Migration
The usual process:
Step 1
Install and activate the backup plugin.
Step 2
Open its settings.
Step 3
Choose how often to back up.
For example:
- Daily
- Weekly
- Monthly
Step 4
Choose where to store the backups (ideally off the server, such as cloud storage).
Step 5
Run your first backup and check it finishes.
Method 2: Manual Backup Through cPanel
You can also make a backup by hand.
Step 1: Log in to cPanel
Open your hosting control panel.
Step 2: Open File Manager
Find your website files.
Step 3: Download the Website Files
Compress and download:
- The public_html folder (or your site’s folder)
- Any other website files
Step 4: Export the Database
Go to:
phpMyAdmin
Select your database, then:
Export → Quick → Go
Manual backups take more effort, but they give you full control over what’s saved and where it goes.
Method 3: Use Your Host’s Backups
Many hosts include backup tools in the control panel.
Benefits:
- Backups run automatically
- Restoring is easier
- Less manual work
With Hostnali web hosting, shared, reseller and corporate plans include automated daily backups, with one daily, one weekly and one monthly restore point. You can restore files or databases yourself, or ask our support team to help. (VPS and dedicated servers don’t include backups unless you add them at checkout.)
Best Places to Store Website Backups
Don’t keep your backups in only one place.
Good options:
Cloud Storage
For example:
- Google Drive
- Dropbox
- A cloud storage box
External Hard Drive
Gives you an offline copy in the office.
Remote Servers
Adds another layer of protection.
Hosting Storage
Useful as one of several locations, not the only one.
How Often Should You Back Up?
Suggested schedules:
Personal Blog
Weekly
Business Website
Daily or weekly
Online Shop
Daily
News Website
Daily, or several times a day
High-Traffic Website
Frequent automatic backups
Common Backup Mistakes to Avoid
Not Backing Up Regularly
An old backup won’t contain your recent changes or orders.
Keeping Only One Copy
Always keep copies in more than one place.
Never Testing Backups
A backup that won’t restore is no backup at all.
Forgetting the Database
Files alone aren’t enough: your posts, pages and orders live in the database.
Storing Backups Only on the Same Server
If that server fails, the backups go with it.
How to Restore a Backup
The general process:
Step 1
Upload the website files.
Step 2
Import the database.
Step 3
Check the database details in wp-config.php.
Step 4
Test the website: pages, forms, logins and checkout.
Most backup plugins, and cPanel’s backup tools, make restoring a matter of a few clicks.
Signs You Should Restore a Backup
Think about restoring when:
- The website won’t load
- Malware has infected files
- An update has broken something
- Important content has disappeared
- The site shows errors you can’t fix
Why Reliable Hosting Matters for Backups
Good hosting makes backups simpler: look for automatic backups, secure storage, easy restores and helpful support.
Why Choose Hostnali for WordPress Hosting?
Hostnali serves businesses across Ghana with hosting built for reliability and protection.
Our WordPress hosting includes:
- Fast NVMe SSD storage and LiteSpeed
- Daily backups with daily, weekly and monthly restore points
- WordPress staging and automatic updates
- Free SSL certificates
- cPanel for easy management
- 24/7 support by live chat and ticket
- Payment by card, bank transfer or mobile money
For more on protecting your site, see how to secure your website from hackers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are backups really necessary?
Yes. They protect you against unexpected problems and data loss.
How often should I back up my website?
Daily backups are best for any active website.
Are backup plugins free?
Many backup plugins have free versions with the basic features you need.
Can I restore my website after a hack?
Yes, if you have a clean backup from before the hack.
Should I keep backups only on my hosting server?
No. Keep copies in several places.
Does my host affect backup reliability?
Yes. Good hosting gives you automatic backups and easy restores.
Final Thoughts
Backups are one of the most important parts of running a website. They protect your work, cut downtime and give you peace of mind.
Setting up regular backups takes a little effort; losing a whole website costs far more.
Ready to protect your WordPress website?
Explore Hostnali WordPress Hosting and build your website with confidence.
