How to Backup Your Website

Creating regular backups of your website is essential for safeguarding your data. Lone Star Data Ranch provides two primary methods to back up your website: through the Shared Hosting Control Panel and using the UpdraftPlus plugin for WordPress sites.

Method 1: Using the Shared Hosting Control Panel

1. Log into the Control Panel
   Go to https://cp.lonestardataranch.com and enter your login credentials.

2. Select Your Website
   In the dashboard, click on the website you want to back up.

3. Create a Backup

   • Navigate to the Backups tab.
   • Click the Create Backup button to start a manual backup. This will save a backup copy of your entire website.

Automatic Backups

The server also performs nightly backups automatically, with a retention period of 90 days. This ensures you have multiple restore points in case you need them.

Method 2: Using UpdraftPlus for WordPress Sites

In addition to server-side backups, you can also use UpdraftPlus, a WordPress plugin, to create, manage, and download backups directly from your WordPress dashboard.

Step-by-Step Instructions for UpdraftPlus

1. Install UpdraftPlus

   • Log into your WordPress Admin area.
   • Go to Plugins > Add New.
   • In the search bar, type “UpdraftPlus” and click Install Now on the plugin.
   • Once installed, click Activate.

2. Configure UpdraftPlus Settings

   • After activation, go to Settings > UpdraftPlus Backups in the WordPress dashboard.
   • In the UpdraftPlus dashboard, click Settings to configure your backup schedule, storage options, and other settings. You can connect to cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive if you prefer storing backups off-site.

3. Create a Manual Backup with UpdraftPlus

   • Go to Settings > UpdraftPlus Backups.
   • Click the Backup Now button.
   • In the pop-up, you can select which parts of your site to back up (files, database, or both). Then click Backup Now to start the backup.

4. Download Your Backup Files

   • Once the backup is complete, you’ll see it listed under the Existing Backups tab.
   • To download, click the appropriate buttons next to each section (Database, Plugins, Themes, Uploads, and Others).
   • Save these files to your computer or preferred cloud storage location.

Restoring a Backup with UpdraftPlus

To restore a backup:

• Under Existing Backups, find the backup you want to restore.
• Click Restore and select the components to restore (e.g., plugins, themes, database).
• Click Restore again to confirm and restore the selected components.

By following these methods, you can maintain regular backups of your website for added security. If you have questions or encounter issues, please reach out to our support team for assistance.