How Can Backup WordPress Website Using FTP Client: A Complete Guide

Backup WordPress Website Using FTP Client: Backing up your WordPress website is one of the most crucial steps that you can take to protect your website from data loss. Whether it’s due to a server failure, hacking, human error or a simple technical glitch, having your backup can save you hours of stress and potential revenue loss. While there are many ways to back up your WordPress website, one of the most reliable methods is Backup WordPress Website Using FTP (File Transfer Protocol) client.

In this Backup WordPress Website Using FTP guide, I will walk you through how to back up your WordPress website using an FTP client, focusing on what an FTP client is, how to set it up and the steps for performing your backup. This method of Backup WordPress Website Using FTP is perfect for those who want direct access to their website’s files and prefer a hands-on approach without relying on third-party backup plugins.

Table of Contents

What is an FTP Client?

Backup WordPress Website Using FTP Client

By the end of this article of the Backup WordPress Website Using FTP, you will be equipped with the knowledge to back up your website manually which ensuring your data is very secure and can easily recoverable in case of any created issues.

Before diving into your Backup WordPress Website Using FTP process, it’s important to understand what an FTP client is and why it’s very useful.

FTP is a protocol that allows you to transfer your files between your local computer and a remote server (in this case, the server hosting your WordPress website). An FTP client is a software application that makes this Backup WordPress Website Using FTP process easier by providing you a user-friendly interface to upload and manage your files.

There are several FTP clients available but some of the most popular ones include to Backup WordPress Website Using FTP:

FileZilla
Cyberduck
WinSCP

These tools allow you to connect to your website’s server and access all the files stored on it including WordPress themes, plugins, images and other media. By backing up these files, you will have a copy of everything that makes your website work.

Now that you know what an FTP client is and why it’s helpful, let’s dive into the process of backing up your WordPress website using FTP.

Why Backup Your WordPress Website Using FTP?

Using an FTP client for your Backup WordPress Website Using FTP offers several advantages:

Full Control: With an FTP client, you have direct access to your website’s fileswhich meaning that you can choose exactly which files you want to Backup WordPress Website Using FTP.
No Need for Plugins: Unlike using a WordPress plugin, FTP backups don’t require any additional software installed on your website, minimizing the risk of plugin conflicts.
Customizable Backup: You can back up your specific folders and files (e.g. images or themes) without having to get the entire website.
No Dependency on Hosting: You don’t rely on your hosting provider’s backup solutions and giving you peace of mind that your data is safe regardless of what happens on your end.

Now, let’s break down the steps for performing an FTP backup of your WordPress website.

Step 1: Get and Install an FTP Client

The first step is to choose an FTP client that you are comfortable with. In this Backup WordPress Website Using FTP guide, we will use FileZilla clirnt which is a free and widely used FTP client but the process is similar across other FTP clients.

Obtain FileZilla: Go to the official FileZilla website and get the client for your operating system (Windows, macOS or Linux).
Install your Program: Follow the installation instructions to set up FileZilla on your computer.

Step 2: Connect to Your WordPress Website via FTP

To Backup WordPress Website Using FTP client, you need to connect the client to your website’s server. Here’s how:

Obtain FTP Credentials: You will need your FTP login credentials to connect to your website. These are usually provided by your hosting provider and may include:
- FTP Host (the server’s address, typically in the form of ftp.yourwebsite.com)
- Username and Password
- Port Number (usually 21 for FTP or 22 for SFTP, a more secure version of FTP)

If you don’t have these credentials, you can typically find them in your hosting control panel (e.g. cPanel).

Open FileZilla: Launch FileZilla and look for the fields at the top where you will enter your FTP credentials:
- Host: Enter the FTP server address provided by your host.
- Username: Enter your FTP username.
- Password: Enter your FTP password.
- Port: Enter the appropriate port number (usually 21 or 22).
Click “Quickconnect”: After entering your credentials, click the Quickconnect button to establish the connection between FileZilla and your website’s server.

Once connected, you will see two main panels in FileZilla:

The left panel shows the files and folders on your local computer.
The right panel shows the files and folders on your WordPress website’s server.

Step 3: Navigate to Your WordPress Website’s Root Directory

Now that you are connected to your website’s server via FTP, the next step is to navigate to your WordPress website’s root directory. The root directory is where all of your website’s files are stored including your themes, plugins and media uploads.

Find the Root Directory: The root directory is typically named public_html or www. In some cases, if you have multiple websites or a subdomain, it might be a folder named after your domain.
Open the Root Folder: Double-click on the root directory to open it. Inside, you should see several folders like wp-content, wp-admin and wp-includes as well as files like wp-config.php.

Step 4: Get Your WordPress Files

Once you have located your root directory, you are ready to begin obtaining the files for backup. Here’s how:

Select All Files: In the right panel (the server side), click and drag to select all files and folders. Alternatively, you can select everything by pressing Ctrl + A (Windows) or Cmd + A (Mac).
Obtain Files: Right-click on the selected files and click obtain. This will begin the process of transferring your website files from the server to your local machine to Backup WordPress Website Using FTP.

Depending on the size of your website, it may take some time to Backup WordPress Website Using FTP. It’s important to let the process finish to ensure that you have a complete backup.

Step 5: Backup Your WordPress Database

While backing up your WordPress files is crucial, it’s equally important to back up your website’s database which contains all the content such as posts, pages and comments. FTP clients only back up files, not databases, so you will need to back up your database separately.

You can back up your WordPress database using phpMyAdmin which is available through your hosting control panel (cPanel).

Login to cPanel: Access your hosting control panel and find phpMyAdmin under the Databases section.
Select Your Database: In phpMyAdmin, select the WordPress database associated with your webwebsite. If you are unsure which database is yours, check the wp-config.php file in FileZilla for the database name.
Export the Database: Once you have selected your database, click on the Export tab then select the Quick export method and choose SQL as the format. Click Go to get the database file.

Now, you have both the WordPress files and the database and ensuring that you can fully restore your website if needed.

Step 6: Store Your Backup Safely

Once the FTP obtain is complete and you have your database file from phpMyAdmin, it’s essential to store your backups in a safe place. Here are some options to Backup WordPress Website Using FTP:

External Hard Drive: Save your backup files on an external hard drive or USB stick for offline storage.
Cloud Storage: Use services like Google Drive, Dropbox or OneDrive to store your backups in the cloud. This ensures they are safe from local disasters like computer crashes.
Remote Backup Services: Consider using specialized backup services that offer secure off website storage and easy restoration.

Best Practices for FTP Backups

To ensure that your FTP backups are effective, keep the following best practices in mind for Backup WordPress Website Using FTP:

Backup Regularly: Back up your website frequently, especially if you make frequent updates to your content or plugins.
Store Multiple Copies: Keep at least two copies of your backup in different locations (e.g. one on your external hard drive and another in the cloud).
Test Your Backups: Occasionally restore your backup to a test website to ensure it works as expected.
Automate Backups: While FTP is a great manual method for Backup WordPress Website Using FTP, consider automating your backups using plugins or third-party services for added convenience.

Conclusion

Backup WordPress Website Using FTP client is an excellent way to protect your website from potential data loss. With FTP, you have complete control over the files you back up, ensuring that your WordPress themes, plugins and media files are safe. Combined with a database backup via phpMyAdmin, this manual method of Backup WordPress Website Using FTP provides you a comprehensive backup solution.

By following these steps outlined in this Backup WordPress Website Using FTP guide, you can create a reliable backup system for your WordPress website and ensuring that you are always prepared for any unforeseen events. Regular backups are essential for keeping your website secure and operational, so don’t wait—start Backup WordPress Website Using FTP your website today!

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