DirectAdmin includes a WordPress management tool that allows you to manage and back up your WordPress websites more easily.

This guide explains how to create a WordPress backup using WordPress Manager in DirectAdmin.

Important Information

HostworX automatically performs daily hosting backups and retains backups for up to 14 days.

However, we still strongly recommend creating your own manual backup before:

• updating WordPress
• installing plugins
• changing themes
• redesigning your website
• making major website changes

so you can restore the backup should something go wrong and you need to restore, as JetBackup backups are done daily and you could lose information if the backup was 24 hours ago.

This provides an additional layer of protection and allows faster recovery if needed.

Before You Start

Before creating a backup, make sure:

• You can log into DirectAdmin
• Your WordPress website is already installed
• You have enough available disk space

If you have not logged in yet, please see:

• How to Log Into DirectAdmin

What Is WordPress Manager?

WordPress Manager is a tool inside DirectAdmin that helps manage WordPress websites.

Depending on server configuration, it may allow you to:

• Create backups
• Manage updates
• Change WordPress settings
• Update Wordpress Core and Plugins
• Enable security features
• Access WordPress quickly

How to Create a WordPress Backup

Step 1 — Log Into DirectAdmin

Open your browser and visit:  https://cp.yourdomain.co.za   (Replace yourdomain.co.za with your own domain name)

Enter your DirectAdmin username and password.

Step 2 — Open WordPress Manager

From the DirectAdmin dashboard:

Click:  Extra Features

Click:  WordPress Manager by Softaculous

Step 3 — Select Your WordPress Website

You will see a list of WordPress installations linked to your hosting account.

Select the website you want to back up. If your wordpress site is not showing

Click:  Scan

Your wordpress installation should now be showing in the list. Click on the Button on the Right Side of your Installation, this could be Green and saying Up to date, or Orange and says Outdated.

From the next window you are able to manage plugins and upgrade the Wordpress core and plugins easily outside of wordpress, but first Create a backup in case something goes wrong.

Step 4 — Open Backup Options

Locate the backup or maintenance options for the selected WordPress installation by scrolling down.

Depending on the DirectAdmin version, this may appear as:

• Backup
• Restore

Step 5 — Start the Backup

Click: Backup

The system will begin generating a backup of your WordPress website.

This can include:

• Website files
• Database content

You can select what to backup. Enter a backup Note for reference ie the site name and date.

You can leave the backup location as Default.

Click: Backup Installation

Step 6 — Download the Backup

Once completed, download the backup file to your computer for safe storage.

On the upper blue menu click: Backups and restore (icon with a zip on it.)

Select the backup and Download it for safe keeping. Once downloaded delete the backup in the backup and restore window after updating wordpress and plugins, this will keep your storage usage low, large backups can take up space and impede email delivery if you run out of hosting space. Alternatively you can upgrade yur hosting account with additional storage space if required. 

We recommend keeping:

• local copies
• external backups
• cloud storage copies

where possible.

Recommended Backup Practices

Create Backups Before Updates

Always create a backup before:

• updating plugins
• updating themes
• updating WordPress core

This helps prevent downtime if something fails. Once you have updated the site, test and see all is ok. Once you are sure the upgrades were fine, create a new backup of the site, download it and then delete the backups that you created to save storage space. the downloaded backup can always be re-uploaded and restored if needed, plus we backup your site every night anyway. 2 backups are not required. But ensure you always have a backup of your website when any changes have been made, you could realize 3 weeks later there is a problem and if you dont have a current backup we can only restore to 14 days ago.

Keep Multiple Backup Copies

Do not rely on a single backup copy.

Important websites should have:

• automatic backups
• manual backups
• offsite backups

Test Backups Periodically

A backup is only useful if it can be restored successfully.

Automatic HostworX Backups

Most HostworX hosting accounts include:

• automatic daily backups
• backup retention for up to 14 days

These backups help provide additional recovery options if needed.

Troubleshooting

Backup Option Missing

Some hosting packages or DirectAdmin versions may display different WordPress management features.

If you cannot find the backup option, contact HostworX support.

Backup Failed

Possible causes include:

• insufficient disk space
• very large websites
• plugin conflicts
• temporary server issues

Try again later if necessary.

Download Is Slow

Large WordPress websites may produce large backup files.

Download times may vary depending on:

• website size
• internet speed
• server load

Website Problems After Update

If your website experiences issues after updates:

• restore a backup if available
• contact HostworX support for assistance

Security Tips

• Keep WordPress updated
• Remove unused plugins
• Use strong passwords
• Keep regular backups
• Avoid installing untrusted plugins