So I’m sure you have thought about it from time to time…you know, that dreaded question: “what happens if I accidentally delete something?” Well, along those lines at the very least. Every so often, it is within one’s interest as a blogger to back-up his or her files via ftp, phpmyadmin, & wp-export posts feature. “But wait,” I know you’re thinking, “I thought I only needed to use one?” No ma’am, all 3 are vital to keeping a complete backup. And I shall tell you why:

FTP (File Transfer Protocol): Ever want to backup all the files in your database document by document, picture by picture? This is the absolute perfect way. By getting an FTP program such as Filezilla and setting it up to connect with your website’s database, you can do so. This video here explains how it can be set up. It is pretty simple, but confusing for first-timers or people who easily forget these things.

By selecting the root folder (folder containing EVERYTHING to your site) and double-clicking on it, you will download allllllll your files to one place. I’d STRONGLY suggest having an ethernet connection since it can take a while depending on how big your database is and just because getting timed out during the last couple files makes you want to shoot something. Let me tell you, I know the feeling very well. Don’t make the same mistake, use ethernet to back up anything. Maybe not restore necessarily, but always when backing up. Unfortunately, if you want this done, it will have to manually be done every time.

PHPMYADMIN (CPANEL): For the most part, mainstream webhosting uses a program dubbed, “Cpanel” as the control station for its users. It does everything from adding a new domain, to adding new pictures. Not to mention how convenient it is; everything is in one place in an elegantly simple format. However, this is not to say it can be a bit intimidating to navigate from the start. After getting acclimated to the various functions and buttons, go to the “phpmyadmin” icon and follow these EXACT directions to backup your SQL file. Now remember, SQL is probably a bit more important than the other stuff in the sense that it can be the most tricky to backup. I used this video to backup mine.

The video doesn’t really say, but if you had to edit something or replace some absolute URLs (or just do a flat-out restore), DROP the tables of the old one. If you made some changes, make sure the ‘new’ backup is saved as something else in case your edit went wrong so you still have the original. Anyways, drop the tables, then immediately go to import, then browse for your file and click import. If everything was followed, you should have a perfectly working blog!

NOTE: If you don’t want to do it manually (which I kind of like, follow the second video), you can do it within wordpress itself. In addition, there are a ba-jillion plug-ins that do it for you. It’s not too hard to find them. Btw, http://ace-websites.com/free-videos/ is great for wordpress-related tutorials.

WP-EXPORT POSTS: When it comes to allllll the hard work you’ve given over the months, or even better, years, it is very important to backup the posts you have. THIS IS VERY DAMN IMPORTANT. PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT. The web-host I have backs-up things, but your posts are something a web-host does NOT backup. Take my advice and backup your shit. You can do it manually (first video) or have a trusty plug-in do it (second video). I probably should have put this first, but I put it last primarily because it is the easiest. Hell…I probably need to backup my stuff right now.

Parting Words: Remember everyone, shit DOES happen, and I’ve probably spent over 2 month, no lie, trying to get back all the material I accidentally deleted. Pleeeaaaseeeee don’t make the same mistake. I could have made this post super big, and go on and on like I am now and keep using redundant phrases, but I won’t. Just do yourself and I a favor and backup your stuff.