How to Back Up WordPress by Cloudways

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4 hours ago

How to Back Up WordPress by Cloudways backup tutorial showing files database offsite storage and restore verification

How to Back Up WordPress by Cloudways is for Cloudways users managing one or more WordPress applications on a server. Use this method when server-level scheduled backups, application restore points, local backups, and maintenance windows before application changes.

A good WordPress backup includes the website files and the database. The files carry themes, plugins, uploads, configuration, and custom code. The database carries posts, pages, users, settings, WooCommerce orders, booking records, form entries, menus, and plugin data. Before you change WordPress core, PHP, DNS, plugins, themes, checkout, or a page builder, make sure you know which backup contains both halves.

When this backup method makes sense

Cloudways backups is a good fit when you already have that tool available and need a practical restore path. It is especially useful before updates, redesign work, hosting migrations, malware cleanup, PHP changes, database work, and plugin troubleshooting.

Before you begin

Confirm the WordPress URL and document root so you back up the right site.
Find the database name in wp-config.php or the hosting panel.
Check free disk space; many backup failures start with a full account.
Pause risky work until the backup finishes and you can see the file.
For stores and booking sites, note the last order, booking, or form entry before the backup.

Backup steps

Open the Cloudways Platform and choose the server or application.
Review the server-level backup schedule and retention policy.
Take an on-demand backup before updates, deployments, or DNS changes.
For local download workflows, enable local backups where appropriate and know where Cloudways stores them.
Confirm the application restore point appears before making changes.
Use a plugin or external storage layer for business-critical sites that need independent copies.

Automated backups and cron

Cloudways backups are platform scheduled, which is more predictable than WordPress traffic-triggered WP-Cron jobs. Match frequency to how often the application changes.

For WordPress plugin backups, remember that WordPress scheduled tasks often depend on WP-Cron. WP-Cron runs when WordPress receives traffic and notices a task is due. That is fine for many small sites, but low-traffic sites can run late. For business-critical sites, pair plugin schedules with a real server cron, hosting-panel backups, or provider backups where available.

How to test restore readiness

Use application restore or point-in-time restore from the Cloudways Platform. For deleted application/server recovery, confirm retention and support path before you need it.

Do not test your only restore for the first time during an outage. Use a staging copy, temporary subdomain, local development environment, or provider restore preview when available. After restore, check login, home page, important pages, media, forms, checkout, email delivery, permalinks, and cache behavior.

Common mistakes

Assuming server backups are the same as independent offsite backups you control.
Not checking retention before deleting an application.
Skipping an on-demand backup before bulk updates.
Forgetting that multiple apps can share one server-level backup policy.

Where to store the backup

Keep at least one copy outside the web server. Good destinations include your own Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, S3-compatible storage, Backblaze B2, Wasabi, SFTP, a provider backup vault, or a secure internal backup server. The exact tool matters less than the restore test, retention policy, and separation from the production account.

Fix I.T. Phill recommendation

Use Cloudways backups as one layer, not the whole plan. Keep a second backup path for important sites, especially WooCommerce, bookings, memberships, and agency-managed sites. Before major updates, take a fresh manual backup even if automatic backups are already scheduled.