{"id":55876,"date":"2025-02-09T17:33:35","date_gmt":"2025-02-09T15:33:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elementor.com\/help\/?p=55876"},"modified":"2026-09-01T13:28:52","modified_gmt":"2026-09-01T10:28:52","slug":"backing-up-your-website","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elementor.com\/help\/backing-up-your-website\/","title":{"rendered":"Backing up your website"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Backing up your WordPress site creates a secure restore point before performing major updates or troubleshooting inside Elementor. You can back up your site automatically using built-in Elementor Host tools, generate a server archive via cPanel if your site is hosted elsewhere, or install a trusted WordPress backup plugin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do you back up an Elementor Host website?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Elementor Host includes daily automated backups and 1-click manual backups managed directly in your account dashboard. For more information, see How to Back Up Your Elementor Host Site<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Log into My Elementor:<\/strong> Go to My Elementor Dashboard<\/strong><\/a> and select your website card under Sites<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Open Backups Panel:<\/strong> Click the Backups<\/strong> tab from the side panel.
    \"Dashboard<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Create Manual Backup:<\/strong> Click Create a Manual Backup<\/strong>, enter a descriptive label (such as Pre-troubleshooting backup<\/em>), and click Create<\/strong>.
    \"My<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    [callout type=”note”]Review your specific Elementor Host plan tier to verify backup storage retention windows and available storage limits for manual backup downloads.[\/callout]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    [callout]You can download a copy of any of your backups as well. For details, see\u00a0Manage your Elementor Host backups<\/a>.[\/callout]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How do you back up a WordPress site using cPanel?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    If your WordPress website is hosted on a third-party hosting provider running cPanel (rather than Elementor Host), generate a complete site backup archive directly from your server management panel:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    1. Access cPanel:<\/strong> Log into your third-party web hosting account and launch the control panel dashboard.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Navigate to Files:<\/strong> Locate the Files<\/strong> section and click Download a Full Account Backup<\/strong> (or Backup Wizard<\/strong>).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Configure Backup Destination:<\/strong> Set the Backup Destination<\/strong> dropdown to Home Directory<\/strong> and enter your email address to receive a completion alert.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. Generate Backup:<\/strong> Click Generate Backup<\/strong> to initiate the server export process. Leave cPanel open.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    5. Download Archive:<\/strong> Upon receiving the confirmation email, return to cPanel, click Download a Full Account Backup<\/strong>, and select the generated .tar.gz<\/code> or .zip<\/code> backup file to save it to your local system.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      How do you back up WordPress using a plugin?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      If you do not have cPanel access or are not using Elementor Host, install a dedicated backup plugin from the WordPress repository:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      1. Navigate to Plugins:<\/strong> Go to Plugins > Add Plugin<\/strong> in your WP Admin dashboard.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      2. Search Directory:<\/strong> Search for reputable backup plugins<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      3. Install & Activate:<\/strong> Click Install Now<\/strong> next to your chosen plugin, then click Activate<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      4. Run Backup:<\/strong> Follow the plugin’s setup wizard to trigger an immediate backup containing both your MySQL database and the \/wp-content\/<\/code> directory.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        [callout]Choose backup plugins with high active installation numbers, frequent developer updates, and explicit compatibility with your active WordPress version.
        For more information about finding and installing WordPress plugins, see\u00a0        Install WordPress plugins<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Remote Storage:<\/strong> Configure plugin settings to send automated backups to external cloud storage providers (such as Google Drive, Dropbox, or Amazon S3) rather than storing them exclusively on your web server.[\/callout]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Why should you test site backups on a staging environment?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        Testing a backup on a staging site ensures your data recovers smoothly without risking your live website:<\/p>\n\n\n\n