Backing up a WordPress site is more than installing and activating a backup plugin. In fact, if that is all you are doing, you may be in for a world of trouble. Backing up a WordPress site needs to cover two areas:

• database backup
• backing up files

There are some options that do both and other options that do one or the other. Let’s take a look at some commonly used free plugins, then we’ll look at options for full backup services. These full backup services not only provide complete and thorough backups, but additional features as well.

Free Plugins

WP-DB-Backup plugin

This free plugin only backs up the database, not the folders and files that pertain to themes and plugins. It’s easy to use and can save the backup to your computer or email it to you. If you are using this plugin, be sure to use it in combination with another option that backs up the files.

Download WP-DB-Backup

WP-DB Manager

Another popular WordPress backup plugin, WP-DB Manager not only lets you backup your database, but also gives you the option to optimize, repair, delete, or restore a database. Again, it only backs up your database and not your files. This plugin has a range of options  to select from including which databases and which tables to back up.

Download WP-DB Manager

WordPress Backup Plugin

This option, from Blog Traffic Exchange, backs up only the files, not the database. It will take care of plugins, themes and media files. The backup is placed inside the wp-content folder as a zip file and can be emailed to you. You can set the backup to run daily, weekly, or monthly.

Download WordPress Backup

Backup Services

These backup services not only backup everything on your site, they offer additional security and functionality, often resulting in saving you hours of time and frustration. Let’s look at a few of the top options:

Blogvault

Blogvault does it all, and then some. It can copy your backups to your Dropbox. One of the features that isn’t available in other backup options is the Test Restore option. This feature runs a test restore of your site – to be sure it’s working before you actually restore the site to your domain. It’s also a great way to verify your backups are working properly. Support at Blogvault excels. Blogvault also offers the following:

• 30 day history
• easy site migration (move site to another domain or sub-domain)
• single file restore
• makes a copy of your site backup and places it on Dropbox server

Blogvault costs range from $89-$399/year.

Find out more about Blogvault.

BackupBuddy

BackupBuddy is a very popular backup service. Their services are similar to blogVault. They offer a few more options in where your backups can be stored (ftp, email, amazon web services, dropbox, etc.) BackupBuddy also helps you restore and migrate your WordPress site elsewhere. BackupBuddy costs $75 – $150 per year.

Find out more about BackupBuddy.

VaultPress

ValutPress, by Automattic, backs up your content in realtime. It is one of the most powerful backup services available. It also offers security options that notify you of potential security threats. Prices range from $15-350 per month.

Find out more about VaultPress.

CodeGuard

CodeGuard, one of the newest options available, not only lets you backup your site but also revert to earlier versions if needed. It also monitors your site for infections. It offers hourly, daily, weekly backup services and notifies you when something changes on your site, and lets you undo the change with a click of a button. There is a free version available for 1 website and up to 2 GB of storage. For more options, prices range from $5-299/month. This is a handy way to have your site backed up every hour, day or week.

Find out more about CodeGuard.

What are you using to backup your WordPress site? What options would you recommend?

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