A complete WordPress recovery needs both the database and the website files. A content export alone is not a full-site backup.
What to save
- The database containing posts, settings and other application data.
- Site files, including
wp-content, uploads, themes and plugins. - The configuration needed to restore the site, including
wp-config.php, stored securely because it contains credentials.
Prepare a usable backup
- Use the backup tools available for your service or a trusted WordPress backup tool.
- Label the backup with the site and date. For an active shop, coordinate a consistent backup point for files and database.
- Download a protected copy outside the public website folder. Restrict access to it.
- Test restoration on a separate development site. Confirm login, media and essential functions work.
- Take a fresh backup before updates, migrations or major configuration changes.
Backup availability and retention depend on your service. Confirm what your plan provides instead of assuming a host keeps every version. Before requesting a live restore, agree the restore point with AnyKey support: orders, uploads or messages created later may be lost.
