# Before updating

URL: https://wpusermanager.com/article/188-before-updating/
Last updated: 2019-09-02

Before updating plugins a production server you should make a backup of your entire site. There are a wide variety of options here. You could simply grab a backup of your database and FTP your files to a backup location. A better option is to use a backup plugin or service. These make it much easier and faster to make a backup, which makes it much more likely that you'll actually do it.

#### Free Options

[WordPress.org has many many backup plugins available](https://wordpress.org/plugins/search.php?q=backup). They have a variety of options and tools, feel free to experiment and find one that fits you.

#### Paid Options

[BackupBuddy](https://ithemes.com/purchase/backupbuddy/) is a plugin with an optional storage service that has a great many options and comes with paid support.

[VaultPress](https://vaultpress.com/) is both a plugin and a storage service and is owned by Automattic.

Regardless of method, please be sure to always make a backup of your entire site before updating any plugins.