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Keeping a recent backup of your website is the fastest way to recover from mistakes, malware, failed updates, or accidental file deletion. This guide shows how to create and download backups using cPanel on Veerhost.

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What you’ll back up

A typical website has two main parts:
  • Website files: themes, plugins, uploads, HTML/PHP files (usually inside /public_html)
  • Database(s): your site content/settings (common for WordPress, Joomla, Laravel, etc.)
For a complete backup, you should save both.

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Before you start (quick checklist)

  • Make sure you have enough disk space in your hosting account to generate the backup.
  • Use a stable connection if you’ll download large files.
  • Store backups in at least two places (example: your PC + cloud storage).
1

Open Backup Wizard

Log in to cPanel.Go to Files → Backup Wizard.
2

Create a backup

Click Back Up.Choose one:
  • Full Backup (best for moving accounts or full recovery)
  • Partial Backup (Home Directory / Databases / Email filters & forwarders)
3

Download your backup

If you selected Full Backup:
  • Choose Home Directory as the destination (simple and common)
  • (Optional) Enter your email to get a notification when it’s ready
  • Click Generate Backup
  • Once completed, go back to Backup Wizard → Back Up → Full Backup and download the file
If you selected Partial Backup:
  • Download the Home Directory backup (files)
  • Export your database(s) (see Option B / Option C)

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What you’ll get

  • Full backup usually produces a single archive file (large)
  • Partial backups are separate downloads (files and databases separately)

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Option B: Back up using cPanel “Backup” (more control)

1

Open Backup

In cPanel, go to Files → Backup.
2

Download website files (Home Directory)

Under Partial Backups, click Home Directory to download.
3

Download your database backup

Under Download a MySQL Database Backup, click the database name to download a .sql file (often compressed).Tip: If you’re unsure which database your WordPress site uses, check: /public_html/wp-config.php and look for DB_NAME.

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Option C: Manual backup (advanced / specific folders)

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1) Download website files via File Manager

1

Open File Manager

Go to Files → File Manager.
2

Compress and download your site files

Open /public_html (or your domain’s folder).Select your site files/folders → click Compress (ZIP is easiest).Download the generated .zip to your computer.

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2) Export database via phpMyAdmin

1

Open phpMyAdmin

Go to Databases → phpMyAdmin.
2

Export the database

Select your database from the left sidebar.Click Export → choose Quick (or Custom for more options).Format: SQL → click Go to download the .sql file.

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Where to store your backups (best practice)

Never keep your only backup inside the same hosting account. Good storage options:
  • Your computer + an external drive
  • Google Drive / OneDrive / Dropbox
  • A secure cloud backup vault
Suggested schedule:
  • Blogs / frequently updated sites: daily or weekly
  • Brochure sites: weekly or before changes
  • Always take a backup before updates/migrations

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How to restore a backup (important notes)

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Restoring website files

  • Upload your .zip to /public_html via File Manager
  • Extract it
  • Confirm the structure is correct (you should see wp-content, index.php, etc. inside /public_html)

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Restoring a database

  • Create a database + user in MySQL Database Wizard (if needed)
  • Open phpMyAdmin and select the target database
  • Go to Import → upload your .sql file → start import
  • Update your site config file if database name/user/password changed:
    • WordPress: wp-config.php

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Restoring a full cPanel backup

On many hosts, full-account restores may require support or specific tools (because it can include account settings). If your cPanel doesn’t provide a self-restore option for full backups, you can still use it for migration or ask Veerhost support to restore it for you.

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Troubleshooting

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“Backup generation failed” / “Not enough disk space”

  • Delete old backups you don’t need
  • Clear large logs or unused files
  • Generate partial backups instead of full

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Download is slow or fails

  • Try downloading at off-peak times
  • Use a download manager
  • Create smaller backups (compress only /public_html instead of the entire home directory)

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Site works but media/images are missing after restore

  • wp-content/uploads might not have restored correctly
  • Confirm permissions and folder structure under /public_html

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FAQ

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Do I need both files and database?

For most CMS sites (WordPress/Joomla), yes. Files alone are not enough.

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How often should I back up?

At least weekly, and always before major changes/updates.

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Can I automate backups?

Some cPanel setups include backup tools (like JetBackup) or allow cron-based scripts. If your Veerhost plan includes automated backups, use those plus your own offsite backups for extra safety.