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WordPress Backup and Restoration: 2 Best Plugins by WPvivid and Akeeba Backup

  • Backup and Restore
WordPress Backups and Restoration

WordPress Backup and Restoration play a crucial role in ensuring your WordPress site is secure and accessible. They safeguard your information from unexpected occurrences such as hacking, server crash, or accidental loss. A good backup strategy enables you to restore your site in a snap to its previous state, minimizing downtime and data loss.

Types of WordPress Backup and Restoration

  1. Full Backups. These include everything on your website, like core files, themes, plugins, media uploads, and the database. Full backups give a complete picture of your site, making it easy to restore everything when needed.
  2. Partial Backups. These only focus on certain parts of your website, like the database or some folders. Partial backups help with updating specific sections of your site without needing to restore the whole site.

Off-site backups in multiple places improve data accessibility and security. Some of the possibilities to use for storing backups are:

  • Local Storage. On-server backups are easily accessible. Nevertheless, reliance on local storage alone can prove dangerous if the server fails.
  • Remote Storage. Backing up data with cloud providers like Google Drive, Dropbox, or Amazon S3 provides an additional layer of security. Remote storage ensures that backups remain in place if your primary server fails.
  • External Devices. Backing up to external hard disk drives or other offline storage devices on a regular basis provides immunity from threats while being disconnected.

Backup Frequency Recommendations

The backup frequency should align with your site’s update interval and content size:

In the case of websites with frequent updates, taking full backups weekly or bi-weekly is recommended. This keeps all the latest changes in store thoroughly.

In case your site has heavy traffic or requires regular content adjustments, take partial backups daily for crucial parts such as the database. This reduces data loss between full backups.

WPvivid Backup: WordPress Backup and Restoration Plugin

WPvivid is a helpful WordPress plugin utilized primarily for backups, restores, and website transfers. It began in 2018 and rapidly gained popularity due to its myriads of features and simplicity.

Main Advantage of WPvivid WordPress Backup and Restoration Plugin

  • Speed of Operation: WPvivid operates efficiently in the restore operation, where it recovers a small site within less than two minutes.
  • Large Site Backup: some backup plugins may stop responding when the site is large, but WPvivid can go forward and get the job done.

WPvivid Backup Free vs Paid

WPvivid WordPress Backup and Restoration Plugin has free and pro versions that are customized to suit individual user requirements. Below is a comprehensive comparison so you can understand the differences:

Backup Features

  • Free Version:
    • Full backups with WordPress files and databases.
    • Database-only or files-only backup feature.
  • Pro Version:
    • All features of the free version, plus:
      • Incremental backups to conserve storage and bandwidth.
      • Selective content backup with include and exclude rules.
      • Ability to backup non-WordPress files and external databases.

Migration Capabilities

  • Free Version:
    • Migration by manual upload.
    • Auto-migration between sites.
  • Pro Version:
    • All features of the free version, plus:
      • Crash protection on migration.
      • Cloud storage-based migration.
      • Selective content migration.
      • Migration of non-WordPress files and additional databases.

Cloud Storage Integration

  • Free Version:
    • Integration with Dropbox.
  • Pro Version:
    • All features of the free version, plus:
      • Support for Google Drive, Amazon S3, Microsoft OneDrive, DigitalOcean Spaces, FTP/SFTP, WebDAV, S3-compatible storage, Wasabi, pCloud, Backblaze, and Microsoft OneDrive Shared Drive.

Scheduling and Retention

  • Free Version:
    • Basic scheduling and backup retention rules.
  • Pro Version:
    • Advanced scheduling with multiple backup schedules.
    • Incremental backup scheduling.
    • Flexible backup frequency and content settings.

Staging Environment

  • Free Version:
    • Creation of a staging site in a subdirectory.
  • Pro Version:
    • All features of the free version, plus:
      • Ability to create multiple staging sites.
      • Push staging site to live.
      • Update staging sites.
      • Install a staging site to a subdomain.

Additional Features Exclusive to Pro Version

  • Rollback:
    • Automatic backups before updates.
    • Support for WordPress core, plugins, and themes.
    • Selective plugins/themes for auto-backup.
    • Versioning backups with flexible retention rules.
  • Multisite Support:
    • Backup and restore for multisite (subdirectory).
    • Migration of multisite (subdirectory).
    • Convert child site to single install.
    • Entire multisite staging (subdirectory).
  • Roles & Capabilities:
    • Set capabilities for roles like Editor, Author, etc.
  • Whitelabel:
    • Customize the plugin branding.
  • Advanced Settings:
    • Advanced backup retention rules.
    • Custom backup folder.
    • Advanced email notifications.
    • Database backups encryption.
  • Support:
    • 24/7 ticket support.

To compare features in-depth side by side, you may visit WPvivid’s official feature comparison webpage.

In short, WPvivid WordPress Backup and Restoration Plugin free version offers simple features that are perfect for small-scale backup and migration. WPvivid Backup & Migration Pro offers advanced features, greater flexibility, and priority support, so it is perfect for users who need more advanced solutions.

For more info about WPvivid WordPress Backup and Restoration Plugin please visit the official website.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Working with WPvivid Backup

1. How to Perform a Full Website Backup

  1. Install and Activate WPvivid Backup Plugin:
    • Go to your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Plugins > Add New, search for “WPvivid Backup,” and click Install Now.
    • Once installed, click Activate.
  2. Open WPvivid Backup Interface:
    • In the dashboard, go to WPvivid Backup.
  3. Start Full Backup:
    • Under the Backup & Restore tab, ensure the Files+Database option is selected.
    • Click the Backup Now button.
    • The plugin will begin creating a full backup of your website, including files and the database.
  4. Verify Backup:
    • Once the process completes, you’ll see the backup listed under the Backup List section. It will display the backup’s creation time and size.

2. How to Perform a Partial Backup (Database Only)

  1. Navigate to WPvivid Backup:
    • In your WordPress dashboard, go to WPvivid Backup > Backup & Restore.
  2. Choose Partial Backup Option:
    • Under the backup settings, select the Database option.
  3. Initiate the Backup:
    • Click Backup Now to start backing up only the database.
  4. Verify Database Backup:
    • Check the Backup List section to confirm the database-only backup. It will be labeled as a “Database Backup.”

3. How to Exclude Specific Files and Folders from the Backup

  1. Access Backup Settings:
    • Navigate to WPvivid Backup > Settings.
  2. Exclude Files or Folders:
    • Under the General Settings tab, locate the Exclude Files/Folders section.
    • Add the paths of files or folders you wish to exclude from the backup. Use absolute paths relative to your WordPress installation directory (e.g., /wp-content/uploads/temp/).
  3. Ignore Large Files:
    • In the same settings section, you’ll find an option to Exclude files larger than a specified size.
    • Enter the file size threshold (e.g., 10 MB). Any file exceeding this size will be skipped during the backup.
  4. Save Changes:
    • Click Save Changes to apply your exclusions.

4. How to Restore a Website from a Backup

  1. Locate the Backup File:
    • Navigate to WPvivid Backup > Backup & Restore.
    • Locate the backup file you want to restore in the Backup List.
  2. Start the Restoration Process:
    • Click the Restore button next to the desired backup file.
    • A confirmation prompt will appear; click OK to proceed.
  3. Monitor the Restoration:
    • WPvivid will restore your website, replacing existing files and database entries with those from the backup.
    • Once the process completes, you’ll see a success message.
  4. Verify the Restoration:
    • Visit your website and log in to confirm everything is functioning correctly. Check specific pages or features to ensure no issues occurred during restoration.

Tips for Effective Use:

  • Always test backups on a staging environment before restoring them to your live site.
  • Regularly update the plugin to ensure compatibility and access to the latest features.
  • Store backups in an offsite location for added protection, such as Google Drive or Dropbox, which can be configured in the Remote Storage settings.

Akeeba Backup: WordPress Backup and Restoration Plugin

Akeeba WordPress Backup and Restoration Plugin is a total WordPress website backup solution. It has free and professional versions to cater to various users.

Main Advantage of Akeeba Backup WordPress Backup and Restoration Plugin

  • Inbuilt ANGIE Installer: Akeeba Backup contains the ANGIE restoration script within its backup package. This useful feature ensures restoring a site easily. Users can easily access the installation/index.php URL after unzipping the backup package.
  • Customizable Backup Profiles: You get to choose what should be left out of the backup. Files or tables. And with multiple backup profiles you only set it up once.

In conclusion, implementing a robust backup strategy is crucial for the security and continuity of your WordPress website. Utilizing reliable WordPress Backup and Restoration Plugin like WPvivid Backup and Akeeba Backup can streamline the backup and restoration processes, providing peace of mind and safeguarding your valuable content.

Akeeba Backup Free vs Paid

Akeeba Backup has a free (Core) and a commercial (Professional) version for WordPress users. Both are intended for different needs. Below is a brief comparison to outline the differences:

Backup and Restoration

  • Core Version:
    • Provides one-click backups of your entire site, including the database.
    • Creates self-contained backup archives with an integrated restoration script, facilitating easy site restoration.
  • Professional Version:
    • Includes all Core features.
    • Offers advanced backup formats, such as AES-128 encrypted JPS archives, enhancing security.

Automation and Scheduling

  • Core Version:
    • Does not have in-built automation or scheduling features.
  • Professional Version:
    • Supports automatic backups with multiple scheduling options, ensuring regular site protection without manual intervention.

Cloud Storage Integration

  • Core Version:
    • Does not support direct integration with cloud storage services.
  • Professional Version:
    • Allows automatic backup transfers to various cloud storage providers, including Amazon S3 and Dropbox, ensuring off-site backup safety.

Command-Line Interface (CLI) Support

  • Core Version:
    • Does not offer CLI support.
  • Professional Version:
    • Provides WP-CLI integration, enabling users to manage backups and configurations via command-line, which is beneficial for advanced users and automation scripts.

Remote Backup Management

  • Core Version:
    • Lacks remote backup initiation or management features.
  • Professional Version:
    • Features a Remote Backup and Management API, allowing backups to be initiated and managed from external applications or services.

Multisite Support

  • Core Version:
    • Fully supports WordPress multisite installations, accessible only by the Network Administrator for security reasons.
  • Professional Version:
    • Includes all Core multisite features.

In brief, the Core version of Akeeba WordPress Backup and Restoration Plugin contains fewer tools for simple backup and restore operations. The Professional version contains additional features such as automation, cloud support, and extended management functions, and is ideal for those requiring full-featured backup solutions.

For more info about Akeeba WordPress Backup and Restoration Plugin please visit the official website.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Working with Akeeba Backup

1. How to Perform a Full Website Backup

  1. Install and Activate Akeeba Backup:
    • Go to your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Plugins > Add New, and search for “Akeeba Backup.”
    • Click Install Now and then Activate.
  2. Access Akeeba Backup:
    • In the WordPress dashboard, navigate to Akeeba Backup.
  3. Start the Backup:
    • In the Akeeba Backup interface, click the Backup Now button.
    • Optionally, you can provide a description for the backup and add labels for easier identification.
    • Click Backup Now to start creating a full backup of your website.
  4. Monitor Progress:
    • Wait for the backup process to complete. A progress bar will indicate the status.
  5. Verify the Backup:
    • After completion, the backup file will be listed under Manage Backups. You can download it to local storage or transfer it to remote storage.

2. How to Perform a Partial Backup (Database Only)

  1. Open Backup Profiles:
    • Navigate to Akeeba Backup > Configuration Wizard.
  2. Adjust Backup Profile:
    • Set the Backup Type to Database Only.
    • Save the settings to create a new profile specific to database backups.
  3. Perform the Backup:
    • Go to the Backup Now screen and select your Database Only profile.
    • Click Backup Now to begin the database-only backup.
  4. Verify the Backup:
    • Check the Manage Backups section to confirm the database backup is created.

3. How to Exclude Specific Files and Folders from the Backup

  1. Access Backup Settings:
    • In Akeeba Backup, go to Configuration.
  2. Open File and Folder Exclusion Settings:
    • Scroll to the Exclude files and folders from backup section in the settings.
  3. Exclude Folders/Subfolders:
    • Navigate the file tree to locate the folder or subfolder you want to exclude.
    • Click the folder to toggle its exclusion status. Excluded folders will appear with an icon or indicator showing they are excluded.
  4. Save Configuration:
    • Click Save & Close to apply changes. The excluded files and folders will no longer be included in subsequent backups.

4. How to Restore a Website from a Backup

  1. Download the Backup File:
    • Go to Akeeba Backup > Manage Backups, and locate the backup file.
    • Download the file to your local machine if it’s not already available.
  2. Upload Backup to Server (if needed):
    • If restoring to a new server or environment, upload the backup file and Akeeba’s restoration script (ANGIE) to the server. Both will usually be in the same archive.
  3. Access ANGIE Restoration Interface:
    • Open your web browser and navigate to the location of the ANGIE installer. For example: http://yourdomain.com/installation/index.php.
  4. Follow Restoration Steps:
    • Step 1: Verify the backup integrity and select the backup file to restore.
    • Step 2: Configure the database settings. Provide the database host, username, password, and database name where the backup will be restored.
    • Step 3: Verify settings and click Proceed to Restoration to restore files and database.
  5. Complete Restoration:
    • Once the restoration is complete, ANGIE will prompt you to finalize by deleting the installation directory for security reasons.
  6. Test the Restored Website:
    • Visit your site and ensure all pages and features are functioning as expected.

WordPress Backup and Restoration Best Practices:

  • Run a Configuration Wizard before taking backups so that you will have optimum settings.
  • Always download and store backup files offsite for redundancy.
  • Test the recovery procedure in a test environment before applying it to your live site.

Don’t want to deal with the learning curve or complex setup? We’ve got you covered.

Our professional maintenance services are designed to take the hassle out of protecting your WordPress site. Choose the plan and get in touch with us to ensure your website is always secure and ready to restore when needed. Let us handle your WordPress Backup and Restoration process so you can focus on growing your business without worry.

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