How To Create a Backup in Plesk

Backups are a critical part of website management, protecting your data from unexpected issues like cyberattacks, server failures, or accidental changes. If you use Plesk for web hosting, the platform makes it easy to create and manage backups for your websites, databases, emails, and configurations. Here is a detailed guide to creating a backup in Plesk.

Step 1: Log into Your Plesk Panel

  1. Open your browser and log in to your Plesk control panel using your credentials.

  2. Navigate to the Websites & Domains section or directly to the Backup Manager option, depending on your interface.

Step 2: Access the Backup Manager

  1. In the Plesk dashboard, find and click on Backup Manager under the relevant domain or subscription.

  2. This will open a page where you can manage, download, and schedule backups for your account.

Step 3: Initiate a New Backup

  1. In the Backup Manager, click on Back Up to start creating a new backup.

  2. You will be presented with several options to customize your backup.

Step 4: Configure Backup Settings

When creating a new backup, Plesk provides various options to suit your needs:

1. What to Back Up:

  • All Configuration and Content: This includes all files, databases, emails, and configuration settings for the domain.

  • Only Configuration: Select this if you want to back up only the website’s configuration settings without the content.

  • Only Content: Choose this to back up files, databases, and emails without the configuration.

2. Store in Repository:

  • Server Repository: Store the backup on your hosting server.

  • FTP Repository: Store the backup on a remote server via FTP. Enter FTP credentials if you choose this option.

3. Backup Settings:

  • Password-Protect Backup: Add a password to encrypt the backup file for additional security.

  • Exclude Log Files: Skip log files to save space.

  • Exclude Temporary Files: Omit temporary files during the backup process.

4. Notification Settings:

  • Enable email notifications to receive an alert once the backup is complete.

Step 5: Start the Backup

  1. After configuring the settings, click OK or Back Up to start the process.

  2. The system will begin creating the backup. The time required will depend on the size of your data.

Step 6: Verify and Manage Backups

  1. Once the backup is complete, it will appear in the Backup Manager list.

  2. You can:

    • Download the Backup: Save it to your local computer for safekeeping.

    • Restore from Backup: Select a backup and click Restore to revert your website to a previous state.

    • Delete Old Backups: Remove outdated backups to free up storage space.

Step 7: Schedule Automatic Backups (Optional)

For ongoing protection, you can schedule automatic backups:

  1. Go to the Backup Manager and click on Schedule.

  2. Configure the schedule:

    • Set the frequency (daily, weekly, or monthly).

    • Specify the time of day for the backup.

    • Define how many backups to retain before older ones are deleted.

  3. Save the schedule to ensure regular backups without manual intervention.

Tips for Effective Backup Management

  • Store Backups Remotely: Always save a copy of your backups on a remote server or cloud storage to protect against server failures.

  • Encrypt Backups: Use password protection to secure sensitive data.

  • Regularly Test Backups: Periodically restore backups to ensure they are functioning correctly.

Creating backups in Plesk is a straightforward process that safeguards your data and ensures business continuity. Whether you are dealing with a small website or a complex application, Plesk’s Backup Manager provides the tools you need for peace of mind.

Follow the link below for a video guide.