How to Preview WordPress Backups Locally: A Step-by-Step Guide
By WordPress Experts |
Imagine having the ability to run a complete version of your WordPress site directly on your computer, without affecting your live website. This capability can significantly enhance your workflow when testing updates, implementing changes, or simply gaining better control over your site's management.
One reliable approach involves using Duplicator to generate a comprehensive backup and Local WP to operate that backup as a functional site on your local machine. Many experienced developers have tested this method and found it to be straightforward and effective, even for those with limited technical expertise.
This guide provides detailed, step-by-step instructions to help you implement this workflow, enabling you to manage your website with increased confidence and reduced risk.
When to Preview a WordPress Backup as a Website
Regularly backing up your WordPress site is essential for protecting your online presence. Many website administrators implement this practice to safeguard their content and data.
When your site encounters unexpected errors, you can restore it using a backup. However, before proceeding with restoration, it's wise to verify that you're using the correct backup file.
Previewing your WordPress backup as a functioning website allows you to confirm that the backup contains the appropriate files and features before applying it to your live site.
This beginner-friendly guide demonstrates how to easily create backups and use a WordPress backup viewer. This approach enables thorough inspection of your backup before making any decisions about its use.
Here are several situations where previewing a backup file proves beneficial:
- Following significant updates: After making major changes to your site, you want to ensure your backup accurately captures all modifications.
- Prior to site restoration: Before restoring your site from a backup, you need to confirm it's the appropriate version.
- Problem diagnosis: You're attempting to identify when a particular issue first appeared on your site.
- Content retrieval: You need to recover specific content from an older backup without restoring the entire site.
With these considerations in mind, let's proceed through the steps to easily preview your WordPress backup as a website. Use the quick links below to navigate this tutorial:
- Step 1: Install and Configure Duplicator
- Step 2: Generate Your WordPress Backup
- Step 3: Download and Install Local WP
- Step 4: Upload Your Backup to Local WP
- Frequently Asked Questions About WordPress Backups
Let's begin!
Step 1: Install and Configure Duplicator
The initial step involves installing a WordPress backup plugin. Duplicator is a popular choice due to its user-friendly interface and straightforward operation, making it suitable for WordPress users at all skill levels.
Duplicator offers both free and premium versions. This tutorial works with the free version, so no financial investment is required to follow these instructions.
That said, upgrading to the premium version provides access to advanced features including automated backups, multisite compatibility, and cloud storage integration for backup file management. Many WordPress professionals discuss these capabilities in their plugin evaluations.
Proceed to install the WordPress plugin on your website, then continue to the next step.
Step 2: Generate Your WordPress Backup
Once the plugin is active, navigate to Duplicator » Backups.
Click the 'Create New' button at the top of the page to initiate the site backup process.
Next, assign a name to your website backup file for reference purposes. You may choose any descriptive name.
After naming your backup, click the 'Next' button.
Duplicator will now scan your website.
If the plugin detects any issues with your website, you'll see a warning message with an explanation. Otherwise, you'll only see a green 'Good' indicator.
Scroll down the page and press the 'Build' button.
Duplicator will create a complete WordPress backup containing your database, images, plugins, and other files in a single downloadable package.
This process typically takes several minutes, though duration varies depending on your site's size.
The premium version of Duplicator allows you to select specific components for backup, such as your database, media files, or custom configurations. This flexibility is particularly useful when storage space is limited, enabling you to exclude media files if necessary.
Once backup completion, you'll see options to download your files, including both 'Installer' and 'Archive' files. For standard restoration on a web host, both files are required.
However, for previewing your site in Local WP, you only need to download the 'Archive' file. Click the 'Archive' button to save the backup zip file to your computer.
Step 3: Download and Install Local WP
Next, install Local WP, a free application that enables WordPress installation on your local computer.
Many development teams utilize this tool for creating demonstration sites and testing WordPress plugins and themes.
Local WP serves as our WordPress backup viewer. Begin by visiting the official website and clicking the 'Download for Free' button.
A popup window will appear requesting your computer's operating system selection (Mac, Windows, or Linux).
You'll also need to complete a brief form with your name and email address. After providing this information, click 'Get It Now!'
Your browser will immediately download the Local WP software to your computer.
If the download doesn't commence automatically, use the 'click here' link instead.
Once the file downloads, launch the setup wizard. Select whether to install Local WP for all users or only for your account.
After making your selection, click the 'Next' button.
