WordPress Backup + Plugin Updates
This is the exact workflow we follow to safely maintain a client WordPress site. Do it in this order every time.
Step 1: Log into WordPress using the Guru Login
Start by opening the website in your browser. To reach the login screen, add /guru-login to the end of the URL.
Example: domain.com/guru-login
Enter the username and password that were provided to you, then log into the WordPress dashboard.
Step 2: Create a full site backup (do not skip)
Before updating anything, create a full backup so we can restore the site if something goes sideways.
In the WordPress dashboard, go to Duplicator in the left menu, then click Create New.
Leave the default settings unless you’ve been told otherwise. Click Next to scan the site. If the scan looks good, click Build.
When the build completes, confirm the backup package exists before moving on.
Step 3: Update plugins one at a time
Next, update plugins. You can do this from Dashboard → Updates or Plugins → Installed Plugins.
If updates are available, update plugins one at a time (not “update all”). After each update finishes, make sure there are no errors and do a quick check that the site still loads.
Updating individually makes troubleshooting way faster if a plugin causes a conflict.
Step 4: Update WordPress core (if available)
After plugins are updated, check for a WordPress core update. If you see one, click Update Now and let it finish completely.
Once it’s done, confirm the dashboard loads normally and the front end of the site is working as expected.
Wrap up
The maintenance workflow is simple: log in using /guru-login, run a Duplicator backup, update plugins one by one, then update WordPress core if needed.
If anything feels off during updates, stop and check before continuing.