How to Backup Your WordPress Site on IONOS: A Complete Guide

we help businesses build secure and scalable WordPress websites—and a critical part of that process is regular, reliable backups. Whether you’re hosting your WordPress site with IONOS or migrating to a new server, having a solid backup system ensures your content, themes, and databases remain protected against errors, hacks, or accidental deletions.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to backup your WordPress site hosted on IONOS, using both native tools and trusted plugins.

Why You Must Back Up Your WordPress Site

1. Safeguard Your Data

Without regular backups, a sudden plugin conflict, malware attack, or hosting failure could wipe out your entire site. Backups allow for quick recovery.

2. Streamline Site Migration

If you’re moving your site between servers or changing your domain, backups make the transition smooth and minimize downtime.

3. Prevent Business Loss

A broken website leads to lost customers, reduced trust, and SEO penalties. A backup lets you restore everything fast—saving revenue and reputation.

Understanding IONOS Hosting and WordPress

What is IONOS?

IONOS (by 1&1) is a popular web hosting provider offering WordPress-optimized hosting, domain registration, email, and website builders. It supports cPanel, FTP access, and 1-click WordPress installs, making it ideal for beginners and intermediate users.

Where Your WordPress Data Lives

Your WordPress website on IONOS consists of:

• Files: Themes, plugins, media uploads(stored in public_html)
• Database: Posts, pages, settings, and user data (hosted in MySQL)

To perform a complete backup, you must copy both your site files and the database.

Method 1: Backing Up Manually via IONOS Hosting Panel

Manual backups give you more control, especially when you want to archive or migrate data.

Step 1 – Log In to Your IONOS Account

1. Visit ionos.com
2. Click “Login” > “Web Hosting”

Step 2 – Access Webspace Explorer

1. In the dashboard, go to Hosting > Manage Webspace
2. Open Webspace Explorer

Download yourwp-content, wp-includes, and wp-admin folders, along with your wp-config.php file.

Step 3 – Export the WordPress Database

1. Go to MySQL Database section
2. Click phpMyAdmin
3. Choose your site’s database and click Export
4. Use the Quick option with SQL format and click Go

This creates a .sql file—your complete WordPress database backup.

Method 2: Use a Backup Plugin for Automation

Recommended Plugins for IONOS Users

Example: How to Use UpdraftPlus on IONOS

Phase 1 – Install the Plugin

1. From your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New
2. Search for UpdraftPlus
3. Click Install Now, then Activate

Step 2 – Set Up Backup Options

1. Navigate to Settings > UpdraftPlus Backups
2. Click Settings tab
3. Set backup schedule for:
   • Files: Weekly
   • Database: Daily
4. Choose remote storage: Google Drive, Dropbox, Amazon S3, etc.

Step 3 – Run Your First Backup

Click “Backup Now”, and the plugin will generate a downloadable backup zip file and store it remotely if configured.

Method 3: Backup via FTP and cPanel

This approach is recommended for advanced users comfortable working with file systems.

Step 1 – Connect via FTP

1. Download and install FileZilla
2. Use your IONOS FTP credentials (found in your hosting panel)
3. Connect to your site and navigate to
4. Connect to your site and navigate to /public_html/
5. Download your entire WordPress directory to your local drive

Step 2 – Backup the Database via cPanel

1. Login to IONOS cPanel
2. Open phpMyAdmin
3. Select the relevant database and click Export
4. Save the .sql file with the same date stamp as your file backup

Best Practices for WordPress Backups on IONOS

1. Backup Before Major Updates

Always create a backup before updating:

• WordPress core
• Plugins
• Themes

This allows you to roll back in case something breaks.

2. Use Offsite Storage

Avoid storing backups on the same server. Use Google Drive, Dropbox, Amazon S3, or even an external hard drive.

3. Automate with Scheduling

Use plugins like UpdraftPlus or BackWPup to automate weekly or daily backups and reduce manual effort.

4. Test Your Restores

A backup is only useful if it restores correctly. Occasionally test your backup process on a staging site or local environment.

Troubleshooting Common IONOS Backup Issues

Issue: Plugin Timeout During Backup

IONOS shared hosting might time out during large backups. Solution:

• Split backups into database and file components
• Increase PHP max execution time via .htaccess or php.ini

Issue: Limited Storage

IONOS hosting plans may limit disk space. Use external cloud storage with retention rules (e.g., delete backups older than 30 days).

Issue: Permissions Denied on FTP

Ensure your FTP user has read/write access. If blocked, contact IONOS support to reset file permissions or change user roles.

Comparison of Backup Methods

Conclusion: Protecting your WordPress site with smart backups is a wise choice

Your WordPress site is the foundation of your online presence. Losing it due to error or attack could set your business back significantly. That’s why we at AirsangDesign always recommend setting up a solid backup strategy—especially when using hosting platforms like IONOS.

Whether you prefer manual backups or automated plugins, choose a method that works with your workflow and test your restores regularly. A good backup could mean the difference between disaster and a five-minute fix.