How to Backup WordPress Drafts Before Installing Multi-Site WordPress

When you're planning to convert a single WordPress site into a Multi-Site (or Multisite) environment, it's essential to ensure that none of your content is lost in the process. Especially critical is the backup of your current drafts, which can be overwritten or lost if not handled properly.

How to Backup WordPress Drafts Before Installing Multi-Site WordPress

There are multiple ways to back up your WordPress drafts and files, which will allow you to make the transition to a Multi-Site environment without compromising your content. Here are some options:

Use a Backup Plugin

Popular backup plugins like UpdraftPlus Backup and Restoration, BackWPup Free - WordPress Backup Plugin, and Duplicator can help you create a comprehensive backup of your WordPress site. Here’s how you can use one of these tools:

UpdraftPlus Backup and Restoration: A powerful and reliable plugin that supports both local and remote backups, as well as scheduled backups. It’s a paid option but offers great features. BackWPup Free - WordPress Backup Plugin: This is a free plugin that allows you to create full site backups, partial backups, and export your database as a SQL file. Duplicator: This plugin is designed to create a portable package that includes your entire WordPress site (theme, plugins, database, and files) and allow you to easily install it on a new or existing network site.

To use these plugins, simply install them from the WordPress plugin repository, configure your backup settings, and run a backup. Storing your backups on a reliable external storage solution, such as an external hard drive, cloud service, or on a different machine, is advisable.

Use FTP

Another option is to upload your WordPress files to your local machine using FTP software. Many web hosts provide FTP access through their control panel. Here’s how:

Use your FTP software (e.g., FileZilla) to upload all the files from your live WordPress site to your local machine. Your database can also be exported using phpMyAdmin. You can access phpMyAdmin through your hosting control panel and export your database as an SQL file.

These files and SQL files can then be stored securely on your local machine or another storage solution.

Follow Official WordPress Guidelines

For a detailed and official way to back up your site, you can refer to the WordPress codex. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Create a system snapshot of your server using your hosting provider’s control panel or machine control software. This will create a point-in-time image of your server's file system and database. Use the mysqldump command to export your WordPress database. This will create an SQL file containing all your database tables. Locally or on a different machine, create a directory to store all your files and the SQL file separately.

By following these methods, you can ensure that all your content, including drafts, is safe during the process of converting from a single-site to a Multi-Site environment.

Creating a Multi-Site Environment

Once you have your backups in place, you can proceed with setting up your Multi-Site environment. Here’s a brief guide on how to do it:

Install and activate the WordPress Multisite option through your WordPress admin panel. Modify your .htaccess file to include the necessary rewrite rules to support your Multi-Site network. Configure settings in your file, including the $wpmu_async_create setting to enable asynchronous blog creation. Let WordPress initiate the necessary changes to your database, such as creating the site, blog, and users tables.

After these steps, your WordPress installation should be successfully converted into a Multi-Site network. Your drafts and other content should remain intact, and you should be able to create multiple sub-sites on your platform.

Guiding yourself through the process can be daunting, but by following the steps and taking the necessary backups, you can ensure that your transition to Multi-Site is smooth and successful.

Conclusion

Transitioning from a single WordPress site to a Multi-Site network can be a complex process, but with careful planning and proper backup strategies, you can ensure that your content, including drafts, is protected. Use the tools and guidelines available to create a reliable backup and proceed with confidence. Good luck with your Multi-Site setup!