Systems Russell Mickler Systems Russell Mickler

How to Backup and Restore Wordpress

How to backup and restore a Wordpress database in a couple of easy albeit technical steps.

Okay, this is kind of technical, but here are some clear-cut, understandable steps for backing up your Wordpress site.

Backing Up Wordpress

On your existing website:

1. Install the WP Backup Plugin.

2. Run a Manual Backup using this plugin, saving files and the database.

3. When it's completed, it will show the archive zip file stored to the server. Download it to your PC.

You now have what you need to perform the restore.

Now, let's say that you're going to restore the website into a new host. In theory, you've setup Wordpress on the new host, and you have control over it (you can login to it and its CPANEL). Alternatively, you could also want to wipe out the existing install and start over. Either way, we're assuming here that you've got a fresh Wordpress install and control over it.

Restoring Wordpress

1. Unpack the zip file you downloaded to its own directory on your desktop.

2. Using FILEZILLA (or an FTP program of your choice), login to your new host using the CPANEL admin account.

3. Browse to your public_html directory.

4. Browse to the Wordpress install directory. You'll find a directory called WP_CONTENT.

5. Under WP_CONTENT, delete the directories PLUGINS, THEMES, and UPLOADS.

6. When this is finished, in Filezilla, we'd now browse the local directory system to your desktop and access the archive you unpacked. Locate the WP_CONTENT directory there.

7. Upload the three directories to the host: PLUGINS, THEMES, and UPLOADS.

Restoring a Wordpress Database

At this time, you've now completed nearly all the steps for the restore.  The last effort will be to restore the database.

1. On CPANEL, look for PHPMyAdmin.

2. Within PHPMyAdmin, select the named database.

3. Find the wp_options table.

4. Click the option to IMPORT.

5. On the next screen, select the *.SQL file created in the backup archive you extracted to your desktop. Then, confirm the import.

6. PHPMyAdmin will confirm x-number of rows were inserted and over-wrote the existing table.

7. Finally, if the URL changed, browse the Options table. One of the first fields has the URL for the website. Change it if necessary.

And you're done. 

If you require assist with this, remember, I'm happy to help through a consulting engagement - here's how you contact me.

R

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Management, Strategy Russell Mickler Management, Strategy Russell Mickler

Controlling Your Costs as a Small Business Tech Strategy

Maybe it's time to zag instead of zig? Let's talk about how technology spending can be used to contain the cost of growth for your small business, and allow you to do more with less. 

How JetBlue Paved a New Path in an Old Industry

When I'm teaching, I like to tell a story about JetBlue.

In the early 2000's, many of JetBlue's competitors were offshoring customer service. The strategy was effective in reducing the cost associated with delivering customer service, but satisfaction ratings were way down. The customer offshore experience included line condition quality, language barriers, and lots of hassle over relatively small matters. Airline customers weren't happy and they dreaded making the phone call.

JetBlue wanted to offer a different experience. And in 2004, JetBlue did something different. They invested in technology that would allow Customer Service Representatives (CSR's) to work part-time and from home, using their own equipment, their own Internet connection.  Doing so would allow JetBlue to tap into a labor market of fluent English/native speakers, and best yet: they'd be contractors instead of employees, reducing JetBlue's overhead in managing FTE (Full Time Equivalent) employees.

What Did JetBlue Do Differently?

JetBlue employed a cost containment strategy. You guys remember me talking about that stuff in June, right? They spent a little money on IT solutions that'd allow them to grow and be competitive, but in the long run, would be cheaper than, say, owning their own call center and staff.

Small businesses can use technology in just the same way. Think about it: where can tech be applied in your business that'd allow you to increase customer volume yet not introduce additional overhead? Good examples:

  • U-Scan machines at grocery marts that push labor back on the consumer;
  • Self-ordering technologies at restaurants, bars, and casinos;
  • Social media marketing - let others sell your business for you;
  • Quick-pay technologies like Near-Field Communication and other standards that'll allow consumers to pay from their cell phones;
  • Apps on mobile devices that engage the consumer in everyday functions;
  • Telecommuting and VoIP telephony solutions - phones, anywhere, anytime;
  • Supply Chain Management (SCM) and routing software for maps using GPS - allowing your delivery vehicles to get exactly where they need to be, and to monitor them;
  • Website solutions that allow a customer to answer a question or perform a transaction without calling you;
  • Cloud based business solutions that don't require you to purchase software, servers, specialized networking hardware, or systems maintenance;
  • Business without physical overhead - no leased space, taxes, or utilities.

Why Don't You Zag Instead of Zig?

The possibilities are truly endless. And the idea is to think different from your competitors. To do something and offer a competitive value that is unique and distinctive. What you want to look at:

  • How can an investment in technology today yield a lower commitment to labor, yet, allow you to take on more business volume?
  • Where can an opportunity be found to be smarter about a business process? Where greater information could result in better decisions, fewer errors, and less cost?
  • Is there a technology that enables the consumer to self-service their needs with you?
  • Is there a technology that enables you and your workforce to work from anywhere?

Just a couple of good ideas. Next time: growth and alliances.

R

 

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