If your self-hosted WordPress blog is important to you, then you need to make sure it's protected by taking WordPress website security steps. You also need to backup all of the files that make up your WordPress installation and blog. While the free WP-DBManager plugin
is great for automatically backing up the databases that store your
blog posts and pages, it does not backup your plugins, themes, and
customizations. Following are several free and affordable WordPress
backup tools that you can try to get a comprehensive solution for blog
backup and restoration. Be sure to visit each website to check on the
most current pricing for each tool.
1. VaultPress
VaultPress is the backup solution offered by WordPress and is arguably the most comprehensive and easiest to use tools available. Pricing starts at $15 per month for one WordPress blog or website, but backups are made instantly as you update your blog. Also, staff members are on hand to help you if you have problems with your backups or restoration. If your blog is extremely important to you, is your source of income, or is the online destination for your business, then you should consider paying for VaultPress.2. Blogvault
Blogvault is another complete WordPress backup solution with a lower price than VaultPress. Starting at $9 per month, you can backup your WordPress blog or website. Backups are done on an hourly basis (at the time of this article's writing) and if you do need to do a restoration, you can restore and test your blog on Blogvault's server before you publish it on your own site to make sure everything is working correctly. Support is offered through email and chat, and you can download your backup in a zip file.3. WP-Monitor
WP-Monitor offers free and paid WordPress backups. Depending on your needs, the free service might be appropriate. It backs up your WordPress database and files and stores up to two days of backups (up to 1 GB daily backup size). However, the free version does not provide all of the features that a paid subscription gives you, such as restoration of your site, up-time monitoring, plugin and theme updates, reports, and more. WP-Monitor subscriptions start at $49 per month, but a free trial is available with all paid plans. That means you can try it before you buy it.4. BackupBuddy
BackupBuddy from iThemes is a premium WordPress plugin (which means it is not free). For $75, you can get two licenses to backup two WordPress blogs or websites, and prices go up if you need more licenses. This is a one-time fee because you control all of the backups in terms of timing and storage. When you backup your blog using BackupBuddy, you can send your files to Dropbox, Amazon S3, Rackspace Cloud, an FTP server, or an email address. If you understand the various files, databases, tables, and so on that make your WordPress site work and you're comfortable backing them up and restoring them on your own, then BackupBuddy is a good solution for you. If you need more help, then consider using Blogvault or VaultPress.5. BackUpWordPress Plugin
BackupWordPress is a free plugin that enables you to back up your entire WordPress blog or website, including your database and all of your files, on a schedule that you choose. Backups are stored on your server and can be emailed to you. A support forum is available if you need help. Also, this plugin comes in multiple languages.6. Online Backup for WordPress
Online Backup for WordPress is a free WordPress plugin from Backup Technology and comes with 100 MB of free online storage space from Backup Technology for your backup files. The plugin backs up all of your files and makes them available to you for free via online storage, email, or in a downloadable zip file. Your backup data is encrypted, so it's secure during the download process. With the Online Backup for WordPress plugin, you can schedule automatic backups and perform backups on demand whenever you need to. If you have any problems, support is available to you through an online forum.WordPress Backup Tools for Blog and Website Security
