Perplexing and Bursty Guide to Restoring a WordPress Site With a Backup

WordPress is a content management system that is powering a gazillion websites across the globe. However, in spite of regular backups, mishaps can occur, and your website can either get lost or damaged. Dreadful, right? Well, that’s when having a backup comes to your rescue. But, do you know how to restore a WordPress site with a backup? Here’s a guide that will teach you how to do just that.

The First Step: Backup Your Current Site

Okay, so before reviving your WordPress site with a backup, it’s best to backup the existing website files and database. Hold on! Restoring from a backup can be a viable solution in overcoming software failure or a virus attack. But, if you have any hiccups underway, any corrupted file you move can lead to a failed revive.

So, commence by backing up the current website files and database. This way, in case the resurrection process goes sideways, you have everything you need to start afresh. Consider managing this with a tool such as UpdraftPlus or BackupBuddy to make it entirely stress-free.

The Second Step: Create a Backup of Your WordPress Site

Next, create an entirely new backup of your WordPress site. Stated earlier; having a backup is the initial step to recovering your WordPress site. Ensure your backup file includes everything essential – plugins, themes, media files, and other configurations that make up your website. Store this backup file in a cloud storage provider or on your computer for safekeeping.

The Third Step: Access Your Hosting Account

Go ahead and access your hosting account where you want to revive your WordPress site. Most web providers bestow you with a control panel known as cPanel. It’s an excellent platform to manage your website files, databases, and other settings. Head to your cPanel and use the file manager to access your website files.

The Fourth Step: Delete The Existing WordPress Files

Using the file manager, scour through the root directory of your website, deleting all files and folders except for the wp-content folder. This step eliminates the possibility of corrupted files in your website file system, which may cause problems while restoring your WordPress site.

The Fifth Step: Upload Your Backup Files

Next up, upload your backup files to the root directory of your website. If the backup files are compressed, extract them straight from the file manager or consider using a plugin such as WP Backup Restore. Watch out for the size- If they’re substantial, it may take a while, but be patient and ensure they complete the upload process.

The Sixth Step: Restore Your WordPress Database

Reviving the previous database is a critical step in the recovery process. It’s vital to use the same database name, username, and password as before the backup. If your hosting provider offers phpMyAdmin, you can log in and head to the database section. Select the database name, then the Import tab, and then browse through to upload the backup files. Ensure the database uploads correctly before moving to the next step.

The Seventh Step: Update Configurations

Once the WordPress database has uploaded successfully, open the wp-config.php file nestled in the root directory of your website. Update the database’s name, username, and password to correspond with the previous backup.

The Eighth Step: Test The Restored Site

Last but not least, scrutinize your website to ensure everything is working smoothly after editing the configuration file. Check up on the WordPress version, theme, and plugins, as they might be outdated. Inspect every page, image, link, and other functionalities to ensure everything is in place and working correctly.

Conclusion

Voila! Restoring your WordPress site with a backup is quite an effortless task once you’ve done it right. Ensure you make regular backups to stay updated with your site versions in case of unexpected disasters. If you feel any bit uncertain during the restoration process or if you’re stuck, consider seeking advice from a WordPress professional or a reputable hosting provider.