How to Back Up Your Website & Why It’s Essential
Imagine spending months building your website—only to lose it all overnight due to a server crash, cyber attack, or accidental deletion. That’s where backups come in.
Backing up your website regularly is one of the most important things you can do to protect your small business online. This guide will show you why backups matter and how to do them the right way.
Why Website Backups Are So Important
A backup is a copy of your website's files and database that you can restore in case of:
Cyber attacks like malware or ransomware
Human error (accidentally deleting content)
Hosting server issues or crashes
Failed updates or plugin conflicts
Without a backup, recovering your site could take days—or be impossible. With a backup, you can restore everything and get back online within minutes.
Types of Website Backups
There are three main types of website backups:
Full Backup: Includes all files, databases, themes, plugins, and media. Best for total recovery.
Incremental Backup: Only backs up changes since the last backup. Saves storage space.
Manual vs. Automatic Backup: Manual backups require you to download and store files yourself. Automatic backups run on a schedule—ideal for busy site owners.
How to Back Up Your Website
1. Use a Backup Plugin (For WordPress)
If you use WordPress, there are several reliable plugins for easy backups:
UpdraftPlus – allows full, scheduled backups to cloud storage
BackupBuddy – includes malware scans and restoration features
Jetpack – offers real-time backup and 1-click restore
You can also store backups to services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or Amazon S3.
2. Back Up Through Your Hosting Provider
Many hosting services (like Bluehost, SiteGround, or Hostinger) offer built-in backup options:
Daily or weekly backups
One-click restore tools
Offsite storage for extra security
Check your hosting dashboard to see what options are included or available as add-ons.
3. Use Website Management Tools
For multiple websites or more control, consider tools like ManageWP or BlogVault. These platforms automate backups and provide cloud storage, uptime monitoring, and malware scanning.
4. Manual Backup (Advanced)
If you prefer full control, you can manually:
Export your database using phpMyAdmin
Download all website files via FTP (like with FileZilla)
Just be sure to store them securely—offline or in encrypted cloud storage.
How Often Should You Back Up?
Content-heavy sites (e.g. blogs, eCommerce): Daily or real-time backups
Informational sites with fewer updates: Weekly or bi-weekly
Before updates: Always back up your site before installing updates or new plugins
Where to Store Backups
Never store your backup files on the same server as your website. If the server crashes or gets hacked, you could lose both. Instead, store backups in multiple places:
Cloud services (e.g. Google Drive, Dropbox, Amazon S3)
External hard drives
Secure USB drives like the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD for offline storage and quick recovery
Final Thoughts
Website backups aren’t just for emergencies—they’re part of running a responsible online business. With a reliable backup strategy in place, you can prevent disasters, recover faster, and protect your investment.
Take a few minutes today to set up automated backups and breathe easy knowing your website is protected.
