Easy WordPress backups, migrations, and staging sites with just one plugin

Migrating a WordPress site is often seen as a daunting task, even for those who have experienced the process multiple times. It can be especially challenging and time-consuming for individuals lacking technical expertise. Consequently, an increasing number of companies now provide migration services. This includes hosting companies, although many WordPress users prefer to undertake the migration themselves. By doing so, they can operate on their own schedule and most certainly save on costs and time. In this context, WordPress site owners frequently resort to using migration plugins, which come in various levels of complexity.

In today’s discussion, we aim to highlight one of the easiest yet effective solutions for WordPress site migration, minimizing the steps involved in the process. This approach is particularly beneficial for our readers who may not be very tech-savvy, allowing them to navigate the migration process with ease.

We have chosen the (free) Backup Migration plugin for this task. This plugin not only simplifies the process of backing up and migrating a website but also incorporates features that would typically require additional tools, such as the creation of a staging site.

Backups – Manual and Automatic

Backing up your site has never been simpler, thanks to the Backup Migration plugin. This tool is designed for immediate use right out of the box, eliminating the need to navigate through a maze of settings before you can start. Here’s a straightforward guide on how to secure your first on-demand backup with ease:

Begin by installing the Backup Migration plugin on your WordPress site. This plugin is readily available at no cost in the official WordPress plugin directory, which can be found here: https://wordpress.org/plugins/backup-backup/. Once installed, you’ll find that the plugin’s settings page has a section titled “What will be backed up?”, where the essential elements are pre-selected for you. However, there’s an option to include the WordPress directory in your backup. This is generally redundant as any operational WordPress site, whether new or old, should already contain this directory.

Manual backups

To create a backup, simply click on the “Create backup now!” button. It’s important to note that for sites exceeding 2GB in size, a premium version of the Backup Migration plugin is required. There’s also an option to download the backup to your local device as a precautionary measure against site crashes or security breaches.

Congratulations! You’ve successfully completed your first on-demand website backup, and you’ll likely find that everything feels straightforward with this plugin. Now, it’s time to explore the next feature: setting up automatic backups.

 

Automatic backups

With the Backup Migration plugin, scheduling backups to occur at specific intervals is a streamlined process. You have the flexibility to choose from daily, weekly, or monthly cycles for your backups. Additionally, this plugin allows you to specify the maximum number of backup files to be retained from these automatic sessions. As new backups are created, the oldest ones in the series are systematically replaced to ensure your storage doesn’t overflow with outdated backups.

Migrations and Restorations

Having a backup of your website ensures you always possess a fallback option. With the Backup Migration plugin, restoring your site from a backup is remarkably straightforward, requiring just a few clicks.

Website Restoration

Access the Backup Migration plugin and go to the “Manage & Restore Backup(s)” tab. Here, you’ll see a list of your available backups. Simply click the “Restore” button next to the backup you wish to restore and confirm the action to initiate the process. That’s all there is to it!

Website Migration

The migration of a website essentially involves the same steps as restoring a backup, but onto a different WordPress installation.

To prepare for site migration, first set up a new WordPress instance at your destination, whether that’s with a new hosting provider or a different domain. Many hosting services offer easy, one-click WordPress installation solutions. Once your new WordPress site is operational, install the Backup Migration plugin there as well.

When you’re ready to migrate, on the destination site, navigate to the “Manage & Restore Backup(s)” tab within the Backup Migration plugin. Here, you’ll find two options to restore your site from the backup taken from the original location. If you’re moving to a new domain, choose options A or C below, while option B is better suited for migrations where the domain remains the same but requires the original site to be taken down first.

1. A) For a super-quick migration, simply paste the link to the backup file from the original site and hit the “Restore now!” button. Obtain the link by clicking the “chain” icon next to the desired backup file’s name on the plugin screen.
   
2. B) To manually upload the backup file, use the “Upload backup files” button found on the same plugin screen. Once the upload is complete, click the “Restore” button next to the uploaded file’s name to begin the restoration process.
3. C) An external storage option is also available for those who prefer to keep backups on cloud services like Google Drive, with more integration options on the way. Connect your Google account through the plugin’s “Where shall the backup(s) be stored?” section. After syncing your backup files, you can initiate restoration from the “Manage & Restore Backups” section by selecting “Restore.”

 

Staging site creation

The Backup Migration plugin stands out for its ability to facilitate the creation of staging sites. These staging sites are precise duplicates of your live website, providing a safe space to test modifications without impacting the actual site. Leveraging a staging site is particularly recommended for implementing major changes to your website, ensuring that any potential disruptions are avoided.

This feature offers two primary options for staging site development: you can either create a local staging site, which functions as a subdomain of your primary website, or opt for a more resource-efficient approach by setting up a staging site on an external server, like TasteWP. This degree of flexibility is invaluable for safely conducting tests and development work, thereby preserving the live site’s stability and performance.

Conclusion

Migrating a WordPress site can transform from a complex and daunting task into a manageable and straightforward process with the right tools at hand. However, it’s important to acknowledge the vast diversity of servers, hosting providers, and WordPress configurations out there. No tool can guarantee perfect results across every possible combination. This reality underscores the importance of exceptional support. The Backup Migration plugin stands out in this regard, offering comprehensive support even for users of its free version. This commitment to support is a compelling reason to rely on this tool for your WordPress migration needs.