How to Backup WordPress by Hand

You can export the textual content from all of your posts and pages into one file. Media files, such as images are not exported, but the link to media will work after the media content within the wp-content/uploads directory is moved over.

To export your posts and pages:

1. From the WordPress control panel, go into Tools | Export
2. Select All content
3. Click on the Download Export File button
4. Save the .xml file to your local computer

The wp-content folder contains your plugins, themes, and media file uploads. Download a copy of this folder to your local computer.

1. Open a program, such as FileZilla, that supports the File Transfer Protocol (FTP).
2. Enter your Domain name
3. Enter your FTP username and password
4. Open the pubic_html folder
5. Click on the wp-content folder and download it to your local computer. Filezilla supports drag-n-drop to your Desktop.

1. Log in to your C-Panel at your hosting account.
2. Find and run the phpMyAdmin program.
3. Select the database used by your WordPress installation

1. Click on the Export tab.
2. In the Export area, Select SQL
3. Click on the Select All link to export all the tables.
4. In the Structure area, make sure Structure is selected and select the first four options.
5. Select Data. The default options should work here.
6. Click on the Go button and save the file to your computer. This may take a while if you have a large database.