How to Backup WordPress Website Without Any Plugin

Having a WordPress backup without using a plugin might sound like the digital equivalent of climbing a mountain without a guide—it’s intimidating, a bit risky, and full of unexpected turns. But here’s the thing: sometimes the adventure is worth it. Whether you’re facing plugin compatibility issues, seeking to level up your tech skills, or simply curious about the process, manual backups are a challenge worth taking on.

Let me take you on a little journey. Imagine this: it’s a regular Tuesday evening. My coffee cup was half-empty (or half-full, depending on your perspective), and I was feeling pretty good about life. Until bam! My WordPress site throws a tantrum—an error here, a broken link there, and I thought, “What if I lose everything?” 😱

Cue the panic.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Why not just use a plugin?” Look, I’m a self-proclaimed stubborn tech nerd who thinks everything is a learning opportunity. Plus, I was up for the challenge of doing it manually. So buckle up as I relive my daring quest to back up my WordPress site without a plugin.

Step 1: The Calm Before the Storm (Preparing the Backup Battlefield)

Before jumping in, I needed my tools. A backup isn’t just “click-save-and-done,” especially when you’re doing it the manual way. It’s like prepping for a mission—think spy movies but with less Bond and more keyboard shortcuts.

Here’s what I gathered:

  1. cPanel Access – Because my hosting setup practically lives there.
  2. File Manager Knowledge – A little poking around here wouldn’t hurt.
  3. An FTP Client – FileZilla, because it’s free and does the job.
  4. MySQL Database Know-How – This part? A bit intimidating at first.
  5. Coffee – Essential. (This list wouldn’t exist without it.)

I also grabbed a notebook (yes, I’m old school) to jot down any critical details—like the database name, server paths, and anything else I might forget five minutes later. The last thing I wanted was to scramble for information in the middle of an already stressful process.

Step 2: Starting with the Website Files

First up: the WordPress files. These are the behind-the-scenes actors that make your site look pretty and work its magic. I dove into my cPanel (because I like to feel fancy), navigated to the File Manager, and located the public_html folder.

Here’s the deal: this folder contains all the good stuff—your themes, plugins, uploads, and the core WordPress files. If you’re wondering, yes, I paused to marvel at all the folders and files neatly laid out like a treasure map.

What I Did Next:

  • Step 1: Highlighted the public_html folder (or wherever WordPress was installed).
  • Step 2: Clicked “Compress” to create a ZIP archive (because manually downloading individual files sounded like torture).
  • Step 3: Downloaded the ZIP file to my local computer.

At this point, I realized how big my site had gotten. Those uploads (mostly images) were taking up a chunk of space! It made me think I should probably declutter my media library… but I decided to leave that existential crisis for another day.

Feeling like a tech wizard at this point, I high-fived my invisible team (which is just me, but still).

Step 3: The Database Tango

If the website files are the body of your WordPress site, the database is the brain. It stores all your posts, comments, user data—you know, the stuff that actually matters.

Accessing the database was the part I had been dreading. Databases feel like the “big boss” level of a video game. But I took a deep breath, logged into my cPanel, and headed to phpMyAdmin.

Now, if you’ve never been inside phpMyAdmin, let me warn you: it’s not as intimidating as it looks. It’s just… busy. Lots of tabs, numbers, and tables that scream, “Don’t mess this up!”

My Strategy:

  • Located the database linked to my WordPress site. (Pro tip: You can check the wp-config.php file in your WordPress folder for the database name. It’s like peeking at a cheat sheet.)
  • Selected the database and clicked Export.
  • Chose the Quick Export method (because simple is my middle name) and saved the SQL file to my computer.

Was I nervous about accidentally clicking “Delete”? Absolutely. Did I survive? Barely. I even saved a second copy of the SQL file because… trust issues.

Step 4: FTP Adventures

By this point, I was feeling confident. Maybe too confident. So, naturally, I decided to double down and use FTP for good measure. Because redundancy in backups is like having two desserts—it’s always a good idea.

I fired up FileZilla, entered my FTP credentials, and connected to the server. Navigating through the folders was like strolling through a digital labyrinth, but I found the public_html directory and downloaded it, just in case.

This part was oddly therapeutic. Watching the files transfer over felt like ticking items off a to-do list. However, I did learn a valuable lesson: Do not accidentally drag files around in FileZilla. It’s like rearranging furniture blindfolded—you’ll regret it later.

Step 5: Testing the Backup (Because Trust Issues Are Real)

With all the files and the database safely stored on my computer, I thought, “Great, I’m done!” But then the paranoia kicked in. What if the backup was incomplete? What if I missed a file?

So, like any self-respecting admin, I tested it. Here’s how:

  1. Set up a local environment using XAMPP (it’s free and great for testing WordPress sites).
  2. Imported the database into phpMyAdmin.
  3. Copied the WordPress files into the local server directory.
  4. Updated the wp-config.php file with the new database details.

When the site loaded perfectly on my local machine, I actually cheered out loud. My cat was unimpressed, but I felt invincible.

How VernalWeb Can Help You Take a Backup

Backing up your WordPress site manually can be a great learning experience, but let’s face it—sometimes, you just want a simple, reliable solution that takes care of everything for you. That’s where VernalWeb comes in, offering JetBackup as part of their hosting plans to make backups effortless and stress-free.

What Is JetBackup?

JetBackup is an advanced backup solution integrated into VernalWeb’s hosting environment. It’s designed to handle all your backup needs automatically, ensuring that your data is safe, up-to-date, and always within reach.

How VernalWeb  Simplifies Backup Management

1. Fully Automated Backups
With JetBackup, you don’t have to remember to back up your site—it’s all done for you. Backups are created on a schedule, capturing everything from your WordPress files to your database. You can rest easy knowing your site is protected even if you forget to take a manual backup.

2. Easy Access to Restore Points
JetBackup allows you to view and manage your backups directly from your VernalWeb control panel. If something goes wrong, you can quickly restore your site to a previous version with just a few clicks. It’s like a time machine for your website!

3. Granular Backup Options
Need to restore just a specific file or folder instead of the entire site? No problem. JetBackup lets you choose exactly what you want to recover, making it incredibly flexible and efficient.

4. Reliable Cloud Infrastructure
All backups created by JetBackup on VernalWeb are stored securely on a cloud-based infrastructure. This ensures your data is safe from hardware failures, malicious attacks, or accidental deletions.

5. Zero Downtime Restorations
Restoring your site through JetBackup is seamless and doesn’t cause downtime. Whether you’re fixing a small error or recovering from a major issue, your visitors won’t even notice the process happening behind the scenes.

6. Expert Support Team

Not everyone has the time (or patience) to dive into the nitty-gritty of backups, and that’s okay. VernalWeb’s 24/7 support team is always ready to help you back up or restore your site. Whether you’re a tech-savvy admin or a total beginner, their experts ensure that your data is safe and accessible when you need it.

Why Choose VernalWeb?

Let’s be honest—manual backups, while rewarding, aren’t for everyone. VernalWeb takes the stress out of the process by offering a seamless, secure, and reliable WordPress hosting. Our tools and support are perfect for WordPress users who want to focus on growing their websites instead of worrying about potential data loss.

So, whether you’re a DIY enthusiast like me or someone who prefers a hands-off approach, VernalWeb has you covered. Because at the end of the day, the goal is the same: keeping your WordPress site safe, secure, and running smoothly.

Extra Backup Tips I Wish I Knew Earlier

  1. Double-Check Permissions: When restoring, ensure all file and folder permissions are correct, or you might end up with a white screen of death.
  2. Document the Process: Even if it’s just for yourself, writing down steps helps for the next time (and trust me, there will be a next time).
  3. Automate the Backup if You Can: While manual backups are fun (in a masochistic way), automated backups save time and sanity.

What I Learned from This Whole Ordeal

  1. Manual Backups Aren’t That Scary: Sure, it takes more time than using a plugin, but you learn so much about how WordPress works. Plus, there’s a weird satisfaction in knowing you did it yourself.
  2. Label Your Backups: Trust me, six months from now, you won’t remember what “backup-final.zip” means.
  3. Redundancy is Key: Save your backup in at least two places—cloud storage and an external hard drive are solid bets.
  4. Breathe: If I, a coffee-fueled, semi-sleep-deprived admin, can do this, so can you.

Final Thoughts

Backing up a WordPress site without a plugin might sound like a daunting task, but it’s not rocket science. It’s more like assembling IKEA furniture—frustrating at times, but rewarding once you’re done.

Would I recommend doing this every time? Eh, maybe not. Plugins exist for a reason. But if you’re up for an adventure (or just really stubborn like me), give it a shot. Worst case, you’ll end up with a funny story to tell.

And hey, if you’ve made it this far in my tale, you’re officially my backup buddy. 😉 So, when’s your next backup mission?

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Saief Mahmud
Saief Mahmud

Saief is the founder and CEO of VernalWeb, a fast growing web hosting company. Saief is a digital marketing enthusiast. He's on a valiant quest to discover effective marketing strategies then share those secrets with VernalWeb users.

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