Written by Admin on 2025-05-06

Which Files to Download for WordPress Site Backup

As a WordPress website owner, it is important to regularly backup your website data, as data loss due to unforeseen circumstances can potentially cripple your online business. Backing up your website files is also important for website migration, as restoring a backup on a different server could save you a lot of time compared to starting from scratch.

So, which files do you need to download for a complete WordPress site backup? Here is a breakdown:

1. WordPress Core Files

These are the files that make up the WordPress software, including the core files, plugins, and themes. You can download the latest version of WordPress software from wordpress.org. You can also download any WordPress plugins and themes directly from their respective developers.

2. Database Files

WordPress stores all website content information in a MySQL or MariaDB database. You will need to back up this database to ensure all your website data is included in the backup file. To download your database, you can use a plugin such as WP-DB-Backup, which allows you to easily backup your database from within WordPress.

3. Images and Other Uploads

WordPress uploads all images and other media files to the wp-content/uploads directory. So, if you have any images or media files associated with your website, you must download this directory to backup your website completely.

4. Security Keys and Staging Site Files

WordPress security keys and salts are used to encrypt passwords and other sensitive information. To maintain the security of your website, it is important to backup these files regularly. You should also backup the staging site files, if you have created one.

In summary, backing up your WordPress website requires downloading the WordPress core files, database files, images and other uploads, security keys, and staging site files if available. Regular website backups can save you a lot of time and resources in the event of data loss or website migration.