Back Up WordPress Database – Pictorial Guide

Back Up WordPress – Pictorial Guide

This tutorial is most applicable to www.hostmonster.com users. However, 100% of each steps are applicable to any other server also. It may take some time to figure out WHERE to look for a particular feature to backup your database.

METHOD 1 (EASY WAY)

I have used multiple server providers and most of them have a section called “BACK UP” (or Back up and Restore or Similar) from where you can actually back up your entire website, each databases, emails and much more. It is worth noting that this is again the easiest place to RESTORE your database also. They usually have feature to upload your backed up database.

Lets check the first picture. If you have hostmonster, you know your cpanel. If you dont have Hostmonster, look for the “BACK UP” option.

Look for Back Up Option

Then Click on BACK UP icon. It will open more options. On Hostmonster, you will see something like this:

Back-Up-and-Restore

In the picture above, notice that it display a full list of all the databases you have and give you option to save or restore them. This is the easiest way of backing up your wordpress (truely, any kind of) database.

METHOD 2 (SLIGHTLY DIFFICULT but WORTH KNOWING)

This is probably the recommended way to back -up your database – using phpMyAdmin. It’s not difficult and you really do not have to panic at all. You do not any prior knowledge to back up your database using this tool either. Just follow the steps.

Lets first look at another picture again.

phpmyadmin

Every web host would provide you the phpMyAdmin service FREE. If you can not find how to get to it, email the service provider. If you can find it, which should be pretty easy for most of the server providers, then hit the icon and open it. It will take you to the phpMyAdmin application page which should look like something below:

inside-phpmyadmin

As you see, the phpMyAdmin application page lists all of your databases to the left. Select the database you want to back up and hit. Now, check your database with the following picture and makw sure you have similar “Tick Marks”.

wp-database-backup

• ‘Structure’
• ‘Add DROP TABLE’
• ‘Add AUTO_INCREMENT’ and
• ‘Enclose table and field names with backquotes’

- Dont Forget about those above.

I like to use the ZIPPED format. Check the picture below. Check as shown and then you are ready to to hit “GO” and you should have a nice back up of your wordpress database.

zipped

ENJOY.

Let me know if you have any questions.

You can read the WORDPRESS.ORG guide about back up database HERE