How to Backup a PrestaShop Website

A proper PrestaShop backup should include two things:

1. Website files — themes, modules, images, configuration files, and other website data.
2. Database — products, customers, orders, settings, categories, employees, and other store information.

1. Backup PrestaShop Files

Your PrestaShop files contain your store’s code, images, themes, modules, and configuration.

Using cPanel

1. Log in to cPanel.
2. Open File Manager.
3. Go to your PrestaShop installation directory, usually:
   • public_html
   • or a subfolder such as public_html/shop
4. Select all PrestaShop files.
5. Click Compress.
6. Choose ZIP Archive.
7. Give the backup a name such as:

prestashop-files-2026-09-22.zip

8. Download the ZIP file to your computer.

Important folders

Make sure your backup includes folders such as:

• /img/ — product and other images
• /modules/ — installed modules
• /themes/ — themes
• /override/ — custom overrides, if used
• /upload/ — uploaded files
• /download/ — downloadable products/files
• /config/ — configuration files

Also preserve your root configuration files, particularly app/config/parameters.php on versions that use it.

2. Backup the PrestaShop Database

The database is just as important as your website files.

Using phpMyAdmin

1. Open cPanel → phpMyAdmin.
2. Select the database used by your PrestaShop store.
3. Click Export.
4. Select Quick.
5. Choose SQL as the format.
6. Click Export.

Save the file with a date, for example:

prestashop-database-2026-09-22.sql

Your database contains important information such as:

• Products
• Categories
• Customers
• Orders
• Addresses
• Prices
• Discounts
• Store configuration
• Employee accounts
• Module configuration

3. Make a Complete Backup

For a reliable backup, keep both files together:

PrestaShop Backup
│
├── prestashop-files-2026-09-22.zip
└── prestashop-database-2026-09-22.sql

I recommend keeping at least 3 copies:

• Server/hosting backup
• Your local computer
• Cloud storage or another external location

4. Automatic PrestaShop Backups

You can also automate backups through your hosting provider.

Many hosting companies provide:

• Daily backups
• Weekly backups
• Database backups
• Full account backups
• Backup restoration

If your hosting has cPanel → Backup or Backup Wizard, check whether it provides a full-account backup.

You can also use a PrestaShop backup module, but make sure it is compatible with your exact PrestaShop version.

5. How Often Should You Backup?

For an active online store:

For a store receiving many orders every day, daily database backups are particularly important.

6. Test Your Backup

A backup is only useful if it can actually be restored.

Periodically test your backup on a staging/test website:

1. Create a test PrestaShop installation.
2. Upload your backed-up files.
3. Create/import the database.
4. Configure the database connection.
5. Check the front office.
6. Log in to the back office.
7. Test products, categories, images and orders.

This confirms that your backup is usable before you actually need it.

Best Backup Strategy

For a PrestaShop store, a simple strategy is:

Every day → database backup

Every week → complete files + database backup

Before updates → complete backup

Keep several previous backups → don’t overwrite yesterday’s backup with today’s backup.

If you want, I can also give you a step-by-step guide for backing up PrestaShop using cPanel + phpMyAdmin, including exactly which buttons to click.