Many website owners only realize the importance of backups when an emergency arises.
From plugin updates that fail to site hacks or unexpected server failures, having a recent backup can be the key to a quick recovery instead of a complete overhaul.
This is why an increasing number of WordPress site owners are opting for cloud storage options like Dropbox, which keeps your site files secure, off the server, and readily accessible.
Using a plugin such as Duplicator allows you to automate the entire backup process—eliminating the need for manual downloads or file transfers.
At CanadaCreate, we have assisted numerous partner brands in implementing this solution because it is quick, dependable, and user-friendly for beginners.
In this comprehensive tutorial, we will guide you through the process of backing up your WordPress site to Dropbox using Duplicator.
Why Should You Back Up Your WordPress Site to Dropbox?
Regardless of whether you operate a small WordPress blog, an eCommerce site, or any other type of website, regular backups are crucial.
A backup is essentially a copy of your website that encompasses vital files, folders, databases, site content, themes, plugins, and other essential information.
Having backups ensures that you have a copy of your website available in case of a major error or security issue. This allows you to restore your site to its previous condition with just a few clicks.
Keeping your WordPress backups on your computer’s hard drive or website server can be risky. If your hard drive fails or your server is compromised, you could lose all your backups.
That’s why it’s important to store backups in multiple locations, including cloud storage solutions like Dropbox.
Dropbox is a widely-used file hosting service that enables you to store and back up files in the cloud. The advantage is that you can access, save, and share these files from anywhere.
In this article, we will guide you on how to back up your WordPress site to Dropbox. Here’s a brief overview of the steps we will discuss in this guide:
- Linking Your WordPress Site to Dropbox
- Creating a Backup of Your WordPress Site on Dropbox
- Restoring a WordPress Backup from Dropbox
- Additional Resources on WordPress Backups
Let’s get started!
Linking Your WordPress Site to Dropbox
The simplest method to back up your WordPress site and store the backups in Dropbox is by using the Duplicator plugin. This user-friendly WordPress backup tool allows you to easily back up, migrate, and clone your website.
Many of our partner brands rely on Duplicator for their backup needs. They have consistently found it to be a dependable and effective solution for protecting their data.
We have thoroughly researched and tested this tool. For more information, you can check out our comprehensive review of Duplicator.
One of the standout features of the Duplicator plugin is its seamless integration with various cloud storage services, including Dropbox, Google Drive, Amazon S3, OneDrive, FTP, and SFTP – SSH.
To get started, you will need to install and activate the Duplicator Pro plugin. If you require assistance, please refer to our guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.
Important Note:This tutorial will utilize the Duplicator Pro plugin as it offers cloud storage integrations. While there is a free version of Duplicator available for creating site backups, it does not support automatic storage of those backups in Dropbox.
After activation, navigate toDuplicator Pro » Settingsin the WordPress admin panel and select the ‘Licensing’ tab.
First, enter your license key and click the ‘Activate’ button. You can find the license key in your Duplicator account area.
Next, connect your Dropbox account to Duplicator.
Simply navigate to Duplicator Pro » Storagein your WordPress dashboard. Here, you’ll find the local storage option where backups are stored by default.
Click the ‘Add New’ button to include Dropbox as a storage option.
Then, enter a recognizable name for your new storage option, such as ‘Dropbox’.
The next step is to select ‘Dropbox’ from the ‘Type’ dropdown menu.
You will then see new settings for your storage option.
Click the ‘Connect to Dropbox’ button.
After clicking the button, additional settings will appear in the Authorization section.
Next, click the ‘Authorize Dropbox’ button.
A new window or tab will open. Log in to your Dropbox account.
You can sign in using your Google or Apple account, or by entering the email and password you used to create your Dropbox account.
Once logged in, you will need to grant access to your Dropbox account.
Click the ‘Allow’ button to proceed.
You will receive an authorization code shortly.
Simply copy this code.
Return to the browser tab or window where you are setting up the Duplicator Pro storage options.
Paste the code into the ‘Step 2: Paste code from Dropbox authorization page’ field.
After that, click the ‘Finalize Setup’ button.
You have successfully added Dropbox as a cloud storage option for your WordPress backups.
How to Create a Dropbox Backup of Your WordPress Website
Next, create a backup of your WordPress blog or website and save it to Dropbox.
To begin, navigate to Duplicator Pro » Backups in the WordPress admin panel and click the ‘Add New’ button.
You can name your backup package here. Dynamic tags are available to automatically format the name using the date, time, and your site title.
In this section, Duplicator will allow you to select a template. We recommend keeping it as ‘Unassigned’ to retain the settings from the previous scan/build.
Next, expand the ‘Storage’ section.
Select ‘Dropbox’ as your storage option to save your WordPress backup.
You can adjust the ‘Backup’ settings before initiating the backup process. By default, the plugin will bundle your site’s content, plugins, themes, databases, and all associated files.
You have the option to customize your backup by choosing specific components of your site to include. For example, you may decide to back up only the WordPress database.
When you’re ready, click the ‘Next’ button located at the bottom of the screen.
On the following screen, Duplicator will perform a scan of your website to ensure everything is functioning correctly before proceeding with the backup. Any issues that need attention will be highlighted with a notice or warning.
Once everything is verified, click the ‘Create Backup’ button to start the process.
The plugin will take a few seconds to a few minutes to generate a backup package, depending on the size of your files and folders.
When the package is complete, it will be saved to your Dropbox account. You can find the Dropbox location by clicking the ‘Storage’ icon.
A new window will open displaying the location of your backup.
You can click the link to access your WordPress backup directly in the Dropbox dashboard.
Setting Up Scheduled WordPress Backups to Dropbox (Pro Plugin Required)
With Duplicator Pro, you can easily schedule automatic backups of your website and save them directly to Dropbox.
First, navigate to Duplicator Pro » Schedule Backups in your WordPress dashboard and click the ‘Add New’ button.
On the following screen, you can name your backup schedule and choose a template. We suggest using the default template to ensure that all your website files, folders, and databases are included in the backup.
Next, select ‘Dropbox’ as the destination for your backups.
Then, scroll down to specify when the plugin should automatically perform backups.
You can choose to create a backup hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly. For example, if you select the weekly option, you can specify which day to perform the backup.
There is also an option to set the start time for your backup schedule. Finally, ensure that the ‘Enable This Schedule’ option is checked to activate your schedule.
Once you have finished, simply click the ‘Save Schedule’ button.
Restoring a WordPress Backup From Dropbox
With regular backups scheduled, your WordPress site will always be securely stored in Dropbox. This ensures you can quickly restore your site in case of critical errors, data loss, or security incidents.
To begin the restoration process, log in to your Dropbox account and navigate to the Duplicator Pro folder.
Select the backup file for your website that you wish to download.
Click on the three-dot menu and choose the ‘Download’ option.
You can then save the zip file to your computer.
Next, access your WordPress dashboard and go to Duplicator Pro » ImportBackups. Click on the ‘Select File’ button.
Choose the zip file from your computer to initiate the website restoration.
After the file uploads, scroll down to review the package details and click the ‘Continue’ button.
The next screen will provide an overview of your package, including the total number of posts, pages, media files, plugins, and more included in the backup.
Click the ‘Launch Installer’ button to proceed.
Upon clicking, the Duplicator installer wizard will start.
Start by selecting an ‘Install Type’ for your package. Choose the ‘Restore single site’ option.
Next, scroll down to the ‘Validation’ section to ensure the system is ready for the backup installation. Address any warnings or notices before proceeding with the restoration.
After that, check the box indicating ‘I have read and accepted all terms & notices.’
Then, click the ‘Next’ button.
A popup will appear with the installation confirmation details.
Click the ‘OK’ button to continue.
The plugin will now extract the archive files from the package.
Once the extraction is complete, you’ll see the installation results. To finalize the backup, click the ‘Admin Login’ button and log back into your site.
You have successfully restored your website backup from Dropbox.
Additional Resources on WordPress Backups
Explore these helpful guides to discover various methods for backing up your WordPress site and enhancing your backup strategies:
- How to Back Up a WordPress Site
- How to Create a Complete WordPress Backup for Free Using BackWPup
- Beginner’s Guide to Backing Up Your WordPress Site to Google Drive
- Connecting Google Drive to Your WordPress Media Library: A Step-by-Step Guide
- Creating a WordPress Backup Using JetPack: A Comprehensive Tutorial
- The Ultimate Guide to Backing Up and Restoring Your WordPress Site with UpdraftPlus
- Backing Up WordPress Multisite: A Complete Guide to Plugin and Manual Methods
We hope this article has helped you understand how to back up your WordPress site to Dropbox. You may also want to explore our guide on WordPress security and check out our expert recommendations for the best Dropbox plugins for WordPress.
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