How to Backup a WordPress Site for Free Using UpdraftPlus
Introduction
Are you a blogger, web designer, or web developer? If so, imagine this scenario:
You’ve put a lot of hard work into your WordPress website, adding pages, images, blog posts, maybe a contact form and plugins, and writing tons of content.
Then you wake up the next morning, open your website, and find absolutely nothing there.
No homepage, no posts, no images—just a blank screen.
Everything you worked on for days, weeks, or months—gone in an instant.
Now imagine that with just the click of a button, you get everything back instantly.
That one click is what we call a backup.
In this blog post, you’ll learn how to back up your WordPress site for free using UpdraftPlus and how to restore it when needed. I’ve tried to explain it in simple terms so that even a 7th-grade student can understand it. No technical jargon, no confusion—just clear, step-by-step instructions to keep your website safe at all times.
By the end of this blog, you will clearly understand:
- What a WordPress backup is?
- Why backups are so important?
- What the UpdraftPlus plugin is?
- How to install UpdraftPlus?
- How to create free backups?
- How to restore your website?
- Common mistakes beginners should avoid
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Let’s start step by step
What Is a Backup?
A backup, or data backup, is a copy of computer data taken and stored elsewhere so that it may be used to restore the original after a data loss event. It’s a fundamental part of data management, creating a safety net to recover lost information and keep operations running smoothly.
What Is a WordPress Backup?
A backup is like a photocopy of your website.
Just like we keep photocopies of our:
- School certificates
- Aadhaar card
- Pan Card and
- Other documents
A WordPress backup keeps a copy of:
- Your website files
- Your images and videos
- Your posts and pages
- Your themes and plugins
- Your website settings
If something goes wrong, you can use this copy to restore your website.
If you don’t have a backup, and if your data is lost, it is very difficult or impossible to recover it. Now, I hope UpdraftPlus is helpful to get a free Backup a WordPress Site.
Why Is Backup Important for a WordPress Website?
Many beginners think:
“My website is small, and don’t have max data, nothing will happen.”
This type of thinking is very dangerous.
Here are real reasons why backup is important:
1. Website Hacking: Sometimes Hackers can damage or delete your website files.
2. Plugin or Theme Problems: Sometimes after installing or updating a plugin, the website crashes.
3. Hosting Issues: Even good hosting companies can fail or lose data.
4. Human Mistakes: You may accidentally delete a page, post, or image.
5. WordPress Updates: Updates can sometimes cause compatibility problems.
Backup = Protection + Peace of Mind.
Now, I hope UpdraftPlus is helpful to get a free Backup a WordPress Site.
What Is UpdraftPlus?
UpdraftPlus is a WordPress backup plugin.
It helps you:
- Take full website backup
- Store backup safely
- Restore complete website easily
Why UpdraftPlus Is Popular?
- It is free to use.
- It is very easy for beginners.
- It is trusted by millions of users.
- It supports Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.
That’s why UpdraftPlus is one of the most used WordPress backup plugins.
Is UpdraftPlus Really Free?
Yes, It is free but it has pro version also with additional facilities.
UpdraftPlus has:
- Free version – perfect for beginners
- Paid version – for advanced users
In this blog post, we will use only the FREE version, which is more than enough.
Things You Need Before Starting
Don’t worry, it’s very simple.
You only need:
- A WordPress website
- Admin login access
- Internet connection
That’s all.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Backup a WordPress Site Using UpdraftPlus (FREE)
Step 1: Login to WordPress Dashboard
- Open your browser
- Go to:
yourwebsite.com/wp-admin - Enter your username and password
Now you will see the WordPress Dashboard.
Now, I hope UpdraftPlus is helpful to get a free Backup a WordPress Site.
Step 2: Install UpdraftPlus Plugin
- Click Plugins → Add New
- In the search box, type UpdraftPlus
- Click Install Now
- After installation, click Activate
UpdraftPlus is now installed.
Now, I hope UpdraftPlus is helpful to get a free Backup a WordPress Site.
Step 3: Open UpdraftPlus Settings
- Go to Settings → UpdraftPlus Backups
- You will see the UpdraftPlus dashboard
This is the control room for backups.
How to Take Your First Backup (Manual Backup)
This is the most important step.
Now, I hope UpdraftPlus is helpful to get a free Backup a WordPress Site.
Step 4: Click on “Backup Now”
- Click the Backup Now button
- A popup box will open
- Tick both options:
- Include your database
- Include your files
- Click Backup Now
Wait for a few minutes.
When completed, your backup is ready
What Does UpdraftPlus Backup?
UpdraftPlus backs up:
- Database (posts, pages, comments, settings)
- Plugins
- Themes
- Uploads (images, videos, files)
This means complete website backup.
Where Are Free Backups Stored?
By default, backups are stored on:
- Your hosting server
But you can also connect:
- Google Drive
- Dropbox
- OneDrive
This is highly recommended.
How to Connect Google Drive (Optional but Recommended)
Step 5: Connect Google Drive
- Go to Settings → UpdraftPlus Backups
- Click the Settings tab
- Select Google Drive
- Scroll down and click Save Changes
- Click the Google authentication link
- Allow access
Now your backups are safe even if hosting fails.
Now, I hope UpdraftPlus is helpful to get a free Backup a WordPress Site.
How to get Backup of WordPress site and download files on your Computer
In this step, I will be guiding you on how to create your first backup of the WordPress site and download all the backup files on your Computer.
Let’s go ahead.
Go to Settings > Updraftplus backups > Hit “Backup now” button.
In the above picture, you can see the “Backups in progress” bar after hitting the “Backup now” button.
This whole process takes a couple of minutes in order to create a complete backup of your WordPress website. Once, the entire backup is created, go to “Existing backups” tab and download the files one by one.
How to Restore a WordPress Website Using UpdraftPlus
This is where backup becomes life-saving.
Step 6: Restore Your Website
- Go to Settings → UpdraftPlus Backups
- Scroll down to Existing Backups
- Click Restore
- Select what you want to restore:
- Database
- Plugins
- Themes
- Uploads
- Click Next
- Wait for the process to complete
Your website is restored successfully.
How Often Should You Take Backup?
It depends on your website:
- Blog website: Once a week
- Business website: 2–3 times a week
- Daily updates website: Daily backup
Always take a backup before updating plugins or themes.
Common Mistakes Beginners Should Avoid
- Not taking backup regularly
- Storing backup only on hosting
- Never testing restore option
- Ignoring backup warnings
- Avoid these mistakes and your site will stay safe.
Benefits of Using UpdraftPlus
- Free and beginner-friendly
- One-click backup
- Easy restore process
- Cloud storage support
- Saves time, money, and stress
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FAQs – How to Backup a WordPress Site for Free Using UpdraftPlus
Q1. Is UpdraftPlus safe to use?
Yes, it is trusted by millions of WordPress users.
Q2. Can beginners use UpdraftPlus?
Yes, even a 7th standard student can use it easily.
Q3. Is restore option free in UpdraftPlus?
Yes, restore is completely free.
Q4. Will backup slow down my website?
No, backups run in the background.
Q5. Can I use UpdraftPlus on shared hosting?
Yes, it works perfectly on shared hosting.
Q6. Is Google Drive backup free?
Yes, Google Drive provides free storage.
Q7. What happens if I never take a backup?
You may lose your entire website permanently.
Conclusion
Your WordPress website is not just pages and images — it is your hard work, time, and dreams.
Losing it because of a small mistake or technical issue can be heartbreaking.
The good news is, protecting your website is free, easy, and takes only a few minutes.
With UpdraftPlus, you now know how to backup your WordPress site and restore it anytime something goes wrong. No fear, no tension — just confidence.
So, Don’t wait for your website to crash. Take your first backup today.
A few minutes now can save months of effort later.
Backing up your WordPress website is not optional, it is necessary.
With UpdraftPlus, you get:
- Free backups
- Easy restore
- Full website protection
If you can install a plugin, you can protect your website.
Don’t wait for a problem. Take your backup today.
I hope this blog post gave you complete value and clarity.
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