Automatic WordPress backup with “BackWPup”

BackWPup is a free WordPress plugin that automatically backsup WordPress database and files to web server, FTP, Dropbox, SugarSync, Amazon S3, Google Cloud Storage, Rackspace Cloud and other services. It’s easy to install and configure the plugin.

1. Install and activate the BackWPup plugin or www.backwpup.com
2. You will have a new BackWPup menu in your WordPress admin menu click Settings.
3. In the BackWPup menu, click Add New.
4. Set the title.
5. In the Database Jobs box, uncheck any tables that don’t need to be backed up.
6. In the File Backup box, uncheck any folders that don’t need to be backed up. Under root.
7. Configure your backup using one of the Backup to dropbox or any you want. You can configure multiple.
8. In the Job Schedule box, check Activate scheduling and set the schedule. I base the schedule on how frequently the site changes (daily, weekly, or monthly).
9. In the Backup File box, you may want to set the File Format to Tar GZip, which is faster and creates smaller compressed files than standard Zip. It also usually uses less memory, so Tar GZip may work on some hosts when Zip fails.
10. In the Send log box, review the settings.
11. In the Job Type box (top right), check Optimize Database Tables and Check Database Tables. Click Save Changes.

You should test your backup job after creating it. In the BackWPup menu, click Jobs. Below your job, click Run Now. The plugin generates logs to aid in troubleshooting.

Explore the rest of the BackWPup menu. Working shows the status of currently running backups, Logs shows logs, Backups lets you view and download backups, and Tools lets you restore.

Remember, you can always declutter screens in WordPress by using Screen Options or clicking the top right corner of a box to collapse it.