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How to create a cloud WordPress backup

How to Create a Cloud WordPress Backup 

Written By: author image Joella Dunn
author image Joella Dunn
Joella is a writer with years of experience in WordPress. At Duplicator, she specializes in site maintenance — from basic backups to large-scale migrations. Her ultimate goal is to make sure your WordPress website is safe and ready for growth.
     Reviewed By: John Turner
reviewer image John Turner
John Turner is the President of Duplicator. He has over 20+ years of business and development experience and his plugins have been downloaded over 25 million times.

Want to create your first cloud WordPress backup?

Relying on traditional local backups may leave your site vulnerable to server errors and data loss. Embracing cloud-based backup solutions can improve your WordPress website’s security, minimize downtime, and offer peace of mind. 

In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to create a cloud WordPress backup!

Quick Summary: How to Create a Cloud WordPress Backup

1. Install a WordPress backup plugin.
Duplicator Pro is a WordPress backup plugin that can send your data to the cloud. This ensures you never lose any data.
2. Connect a cloud storage service.
Once you install Duplicator, add a new storage location. Duplicator supports 11 different cloud services including Google Drive, Amazon S3, and Microsoft OneDrive.
3. Create a cloud backup.
Finally, build a new backup. In the Storage settings, choose the cloud service you just connected. Duplicator will create a copy of your WordPress site and send it to the cloud.

The Benefits of Cloud WordPress Backups

One of the most important security precautions for your WordPress website is a backup. This is a saved copy of your site’s files and database.

If you unexpectedly face a cyber attack or critical error, you can simply restore one of your backups. Regularly backing up your WordPress site ensures you always have a healthy copy to fall back on.

There are many ways to start backing up your site. You could download a backup to your computer, a local server, or even send them to an off-site cloud storage service.

Here are some benefits of using cloud services to store WordPress backups:

1. Enhanced security

By storing your data in off-site servers, it’ll be safe from server crashes, malware, and hacks. Some cloud storage providers also use encryption, ensuring the security of your backups.

2. Scalability

As your WordPress website grows and gains more data, cloud storage can seamlessly accommodate the increasing backup size. If you have a large e-commerce site, you won’t have to worry about overloading your hosting plan with huge backup files.

3. Accessibility

Using the cloud, you can access your backups from anywhere, at any time. You can quickly restore your website after accidental data loss, security breaches, or bad website updates

How to Create a Cloud WordPress Backup

Let’s walk through the step-by-step process of creating a cloud WordPress backup!

Step 1: Install Duplicator Pro

When it comes to creating cloud backups for your WordPress website, there’s one tool that truly stands out: Duplicator Pro. This user-friendly WordPress backup plugin seamlessly integrates with popular cloud providers, making it a snap to store your backups in the cloud.

Duplicator Pro plugin

No matter which cloud backup service you plan on using, Duplicator can support it. You can store backups in any of the following locations:

Duplicator Pro works by creating backup archives of your WordPress site. You’ll be able to save valuable space in the cloud without sacrificing any data. 

Plus, you can also use Duplicator as a migration plugin. With just a few clicks, you can clone or migrate your site, including all its files, database, plugins, and themes.

To get started, select a subscription for Duplicator Pro. Although there is a free version of the plugin, a premium plan will give you everything you need to connect your WordPress site to an external cloud storage location.

Then, open your WordPress dashboard and install Duplicator.

Before you start using Duplicator, you’ll need to activate your license key. To do this, go to Settings » Licensing:

Activate Duplicator Pro license key

Paste the license key you received with your purchase. Finally, hit Activate.  

Step 2: Connect a Third-Party Cloud Service

As we mentioned earlier, you can start saving your backups to a variety of different cloud storage options. First, find one that meets your storage needs and budget.

I like using Google Drive for my cloud backups. It’s a free service, so you can save your site data without expensive storage fees. If you have a larger site, I’d recommend an object storage service like Backblaze B2.

Now, it’s time to connect it with Duplicator. This way, every backup will automatically be sent over to your off-site account.

First, find Duplicator Pro » Storage. Here, you’ll see that the default backup location is your local server. To set up cloud WordPress backups, click on Add New:

Add new storage location

On this page, give the new storage location a name. Using the Type dropdown, choose your preferred cloud service:

New OneDrive storage location

For this tutorial, we’ll be using Microsoft OneDrive. These connection steps will vary slightly depending on the cloud storage provider.

After you select your provider, you’ll need to authorize Duplicator to save backups onto your cloud account. Scroll down to the Authorization section and click on Connect to OneDrive (or the different service you chose):

Connect Duplicator to OneDrive

Now, new authorization steps will appear. Click on Authorize OneDrive to finish setting up the connection:

Authorize OneDrive

You’ll be sent to the off-site cloud service. In the pop-up window, be sure to give Duplicator full access to your account:

Microsoft OneDrive connection to Duplicator

Once you do this, you’ll get an authorization code.

Copy Microsoft authorization code for Duplicator

Copy this and go back to your WordPress dashboard. Next to Step 2, paste the code:

Paste OneDrive authorization code

For the last step, hit Finalize Setup. Your cloud account is now linked to Duplicator!

Step 3: Create a Cloud Backup

When you want to create a cloud WordPress backup, all you need to do is build a package with Duplicator. This will bundle all of your plugins, themes, core WordPress files, and database tables into a single zip file. Then, Duplicator automatically sends this to the cloud.

To start the backup process, head over to Duplicator Pro » Packages » Create New:

Create Duplicator package

Duplicator will give your package a name, but feel free to change this so the backup is more memorable:

New OneDrive backup

Then, open the Storage settings. Select OneDrive or whichever cloud service you prefer:

Select OneDrive storage

For a complete backup, you don’t need to make any changes to the archive file. However, you can easily perform a database backup instead or exclude unnecessary files from the backup:

Backup WordPress database

Next, Duplicator will scan your entire site. You’ll see all Good notices if your site can be backed up successfully:

Duplicator package scan

After you hit Build, your website backup will be instantly created. Without needing any extra help from you, Duplicator will send your backup files straight to the cloud!

Step 4: Schedule Automatic Cloud Backups

By now, you know how to create manual cloud WordPress backups.

To reduce your maintenance tasks and optimize your time, consider setting up automatic backups instead. This way, you’ll have a reliable backup plan.

First, create a backup template by heading over to Duplicator Pro » Tools » Templates » Add New.

Then, you can decide what data you want Duplicator to save in the automatic backup. For example, you might want to clean up your backups by only including active plugins and themes:

Optimized site backup template

If you want to back up your entire site, be sure to select All under the archive components. Then, save your changes.

Now you can schedule backups! Go to Schedules » Add New. Name the new automatic backup schedule and select the template you made earlier:

WordPress auto backup schedule

To automatically send your WordPress backups to the cloud, you’ll need to choose a cloud storage location:

Backup storage options

Finally, you can customize what time to schedule backups for. Duplicator can run monthly, weekly, hourly, and daily backups:

Backup schedule

Then, enable the schedule and save it. Feel free to add as many schedules as you want. You’ll see all of them listed on the Schedules page:

Custom WordPress backup schedules

This will show you when your backups last ran and when they’ll run next. You’ll also see whether each automatic backup schedule allows you to restore backups of your WordPress site.

Now, Duplicator will send you email summaries of your backups. You’ll get notifications about any new manual backups, added cloud storage locations, and successful automatic backups:

Duplicator email summary

By receiving daily, weekly, or monthly email summaries, you’ll know exactly when and how your site is being backed up. If you want to handle this yourself, you can easily configure Duplicator to no longer send email summaries.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the best way to back up WordPress?

The best way to back up WordPress is to install a backup plugin like Duplicator. Using Duplicator Pro, you can easily create new backups and instantly save them to cloud storage locations. It can also be helpful to set up scheduled backups to save time during website management. 

How do I automatically back up WordPress to Google Drive?

To automatically back up WordPress to Google Drive, first install and activate Duplicator Pro. Then, add Google Drive as a new storage location. Finally, create a new backup schedule and select Google Drive under the Storage settings. 

Does WordPress do automatic backups?

By itself, WordPress does not support automatic backups. However, your web hosting provider may support daily backups and one-click restore options. If not, a WordPress backup plugin can easily add this functionality to your website. This backup tool allows you to create new backup schedules and stop worrying about manual backups.

What are the best backup plugins for WordPress?

The best WordPress backup plugin is Duplicator Pro. This will allow you to create real-time backups of your website and even set up automated backups. Without needing any add-ons, you can create off-site backups that are sent to cloud storage.

Alternatives: Jetpack Backup (VaultPress), UpdraftPlus, BlogVault, BackupBuddy, and BackWPup are also popular plugins with backup and restore options. However, Duplicator Pro is more well-equipped to handle large sites like WooCommerce stores and WordPress Multisite networks

Conclusion

You’ve just created your first cloud WordPress backup!

Here are some extra WordPress tips and tricks to get the most out of your website:

Are you ready to start sending your WordPress backups to the cloud? Download Duplicator Pro to instantly save backups to a cloud storage service!

author avatar
Joella Dunn Content Writer
Joella is a writer with years of experience in WordPress. At Duplicator, she specializes in site maintenance — from basic backups to large-scale migrations. Her ultimate goal is to make sure your WordPress website is safe and ready for growth.

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