The Automatic WordPress Backup plugin (by Dan Coulter) is different from other free WordPress backup plugins in the sense that it can backup your whole site (database as well as site contents e.g. your themes, plugins, images and other files).
In most free WordPress backup plugins (e.g. WP DB Backup by Austin Matzko or WP DB Manager by Lester ‘GaMerZ’ Chan etc.), you must be aware that these plugins only back up your WordPress database!
If your site gets corrupted and when you restore the same, you will only get back your posts and the plain blog theme and nothing else. You will then have a hard time trying to rebuild your site by putting in the plugins, files and reworking the changes you have made since the time you installed your theme).
Requirements to Set Up the Plugin
1. To set up and use the Automatic WordPress Backup plugin, you need to sign up for an Amazon AWS account and then their Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3). The Amazon S3 storage cost is extremely cheap (based on usage with no monthly fees). Once you have set up your plugin and indicated the backup schedule (daily, monthly etc.) the backup files to your whole site will automatically be uploaded to your designated Amazon S3 storage folders.
2. Take note that the plugin is only compatible with Linux based servers.
3. Set the “Uploads” folder (e.g. www.yoursite.com/wp-content/uploads) permission to “Writable” (777) using your FTP program. In case you cannot locate your Uploads folder, you can either manually create one using your FTP program or simply upload any image to one of your post and the Uploads folder will automatically be created.
How to Set Up the Plugin
1. Sign up for your Amazon AWS account and then the Amazon S3 service. Get ready your Amazon AWS account Access Key ID and Secret Access Key and set up the Amazon S3 main folder (Bucket) you want to upload the backup files to. To know more about Amazon S3, read the post on “How to Use Amazon S3“.
2. Go to your Dashboard/Plugin/Add New and type in “Automatic WordPress Backup”. Download the displayed plugin and activate the same.
2. Click the Settings button to set up the plugin. Enter your AWS Access Key and AWS Secret Key and save the changes. Thereafter, indicate the main folder (Bucket) name, backup schedule, parts of the blog which you want to backup and save your changes.
If you wish, you can immediately backup your blog by clicking the “Save Changes and Backup Now” button and the backup file will then be uploaded to your Amazon S3 storage folder. Once the upload is completed, the screen will provide a link for you to download the completed backup file into your computer.
If you want to get a premium WordPress backup plugins (to backup your whole site and not just database), you may want to check these out:
Group Discussion:
If you know of other free or premium plugins that can backup the whole site, appreciate if you can share with the readers here. Thank you.
This information is off the hzoiol!