With newer versions of WordPress being released frequently, it’s important to talk about what you use for backups. Are you dependent on the information your web host is storing for you? How do you know when the latest backup was? Are you confident that you can retrieve your backups from your web host without issue? Here is some important information about creating real backups that will keep you from making costly mistakes that you can’t undo.
This is what I recommend, (to read more about WordPress related topics go to BjornWallman.com);
- DO NOT trust your host (GoDaddy, 1and1.com, Mediatemple etc) to do this for you… they won’t! They don’t care about you…
- Make sure that you’re backing up frequently, and that all of the files backed up are uncorrupted and up to date.
- Restore a former backup to prove that the software making your backup is able to make a backup that you can use with your host (do not wait until it’s too late to find out!!)
- Store your backups in a different physical location, off-site, somewhere it wasn’t made (Dropbox, Amazon server, etc).
Before I continue about these tips, make sure that you’ve already completed the first 3 steps!
It’s very rare that you will find a hosting provider that will not provide backups, which are included with your server, monthly, weekly or daily. You can retrieve these files for a fee (around $50) in an emergency. In addition, it might be to your benefit to enroll in a package that provides backups that are more frequent. Server level backup is, for the most part, really great. If you can’t get access to your backups from your server for a small fee, chances are you’re dealing with a host that isn’t capable of providing you with very much as a client (I’m looking at you 1and1.com!).
Please keep in mind, these backups are on a remote access server only, they are not something you can ever obtain without your web host. So if for instance, there is a tornado, flood, fire, data corruption, anything of the sort on your web host’s end, the data would be lost.
Therefore,
Please! Own multiple copies of your own data! Make sure that no matter what, you don’t lose your data or lose control of your site. This is a great way to backup blogs, Skype accounts, email accounts, financial documents; really, anything you need. These backups will save you hours, even days of misery when you inevitably come across a system crash or data loss (It will happen… trust me!!).
Where should I spend to get the best protection?
For those who are looking to invest in packages, which will benefit them in case of emergency, these are the hosts that I would recommend:
- WpMayday.com is our top choice obviously. Let us handle the head ache for you, we guarantee all the files will be backed up and that you won’t have any issues when disaster struck. We create a full backup of your website (all the folders) including the database every 24 hours, and we store them off your server in our own secure environment.
- Additionally if you are using cPanel… I recommend using their tools to do an additional back up every 2-4 months. Aim to do this backup at least 3 times a year. Keep multiple copies of this, following the rules above.
If you’ve never used programs like this to manage your backups, or backing up your information is new to you, having help is always recommended, contact us anytime to get the support and help you need to get this done the right way.
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