A website backup is like an insurance policy for your website or online store. It’s a copy of all your website’s files stored in a safe digital place, from images to text to source codes. So, if your website ever has a problem, you can use the backup to bring your site back to the way it was.
This guide will walk you through the essential steps of website backups, simplified for small business owners and startups.
How often should you backup your website?
If your website doesn’t change much and stays mostly the same, a backup once a week could be good. But if your website changes a lot and you’re adding new things often, then backing up every day might be better.
The idea is to capture your website’s latest “picture” so that if anything happens, you can go back to that picture instead of losing all the new things you’ve added. The frequency of website backups depends on how frequently your website’s content and data are updated – more often when things are changing a lot, and a bit less when things are steadier. Here’s a general guideline:
- Daily Backups – If your website is dynamic and frequently updated, such as an eCommerce site with new products added daily or a news site with constant articles, consider daily backups. This ensures you capture all the latest changes and content.
- Weekly Backups – For websites that have regular updates but not daily, like a blog or portfolio site, a weekly backup might be sufficient. This strikes a balance between ensuring data safety and not overwhelming your backup process.
- Monthly Backups – If your website’s content changes infrequently, such as a small business website with static information, a monthly backup should suffice. However, it’s still crucial to backup your website to avoid data loss.
- Before Significant Updates – Before making major updates or changes to your website, it’s good practice to perform a backup. This provides a restore point in case something goes wrong during the update.
Two ways to backup your website
Your website is more than just a collection of web pages; it’s a digital hub for your brand and business. Protecting your website is crucial to success. In this section, we’ll explore two reliable methods for backing up your website.
Manual backups: a hands-on approach
Imagine organizing your digital belongings like arranging items in a secure vault. Manual website backups involve taking matters into your own hands and personally copying all your website’s essential elements to a safe location. It involves you personally taking the steps to ensure your website’s content, images, code, and other essential elements are preserved in case of data loss or unexpected issues.
Manual backups give you direct control over your website’s safety, ensuring your important data is within arm’s reach whenever you need it.
Third-party backup services: automating security
Embracing technology simplifies many tasks, and website backups are no exception. Third-party backup services automate the backup process through:
- Automation. They continuously monitor your website for changes and automatically backup new content and modifications. This hands-free approach ensures you’re always up to date without manual intervention.
- Scheduled Backups. They set up regular backup schedules according to your website’s update frequency. This ensures your website’s latest version is safely stored in case of emergencies.
- Efficient Storage. They store your backups on secure remote servers, minimizing the risk of data loss due to local hardware failures.
- Easy Restoration. Should the need arise, you can easily restore your website to its previous state with just a few clicks, saving you time and stress.
Utilizing a third-party backup service like Web.com’s CodeGuard not only streamlines the backup process but also adds an extra layer of protection against potential data loss.
How to manually backup your website
Now that you know what manual backups are, this section will guide you through the steps to initiate a manual backup for your website. Simply follow these steps:
- Log in to your web hosting account.
- Locate the directory where your website files are stored.
- Use an FTP client to download the entire directory to your computer.
- Store the backup file in a safe location.
How to backup your website using Web.com’s CodeGuard
If you decide to automate your backups, initiating CodeGuard offers an easy initiation process into your website’s security system. Follow these simple steps:
- Sign in to your Web.com account.
- From the Website Backup section, select the website that you want to backup.
- In the upper right corner of the Files tab, look for the backup counter.
- Click Run Backup Now.
Why choose Web.com’s CodeGuard?
CodeGuard is a cloud-based service that offers backup and recovery solutions to shield your website from losing data or damage. With CodeGuard, you can effortlessly and automatically backup your website, monitor changes, and restore your site’s previous version if necessary.
It’s more than just a backup service; it’s a sentinel standing guard over your digital assets. With an emphasis on ease and efficiency, CodeGuard simplifies your website’s protection, empowering you to navigate online challenges with confidence. Some of its main benefits include:
1. Automated backups
CodeGuard’s vigilant technology keeps a watchful eye on your website, detecting changes and updates in real time. It automatically captures these changes, ensuring your backups are always up to date without manual intervention.
For your initial backup, CodeGuard captures your website’s content and keeps it safe in our secure storage. In the future, it will identify any changes on your site and store those as well, making sure everything stays protected.
2. One-click restoration
In the event of a mishap, restoring your website to its previous state simply needs a click of a button. CodeGuard’s intuitive interface allows you to effortlessly roll back to a specific backup point, minimizing downtime and preserving your online presence. It compares your current version with your previous versions. This way, it only brings back the changed content.
3. Enhanced Security Measures
CodeGuard employs robust data encryption during both transmission and storage, so your website’s information remains confidential and shielded from potential threats.
Every backup and password are encrypted, with annual vulnerability testing. Plus, CodeGuard uses secure connections like Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP), Secure Shell (SSH), or Secure Sockets Layers (SSL) to keep things extra protected. Meanwhile, backups are stored on Amazon Web Services Simple Storage System (S3), one of the most reliable options for backup storage.
4. Daily site-change monitoring and alerts
Your website will be checked every day for any updates, allowing you to dedicate your time to your business without worries.
Additionally, whenever files are added, changed, or removed from your website, CodeGuard will detect it and send a ChangeAlert notification. It proactively keeps you informed about any unauthorized changes to your website through timely email notifications, empowering you to address potential security breaches promptly.
5. User-friendly interface
CodeGuard is made to be accessible by everyone, whether you’re a tech whiz or just starting with websites. Its intuitive design and simple layout mean anyone can do backups and bring back their site without any hassle or confusion.
6. Professional Support
With CodeGuard, you’re not alone on your backup journey. Access customer support that’s committed to your website’s safety. CodeGuard’s dedicated team is ready to provide the assistance you need to keep your digital presence secure and thriving.
Best practices for website backup strategies
As you embark on your journey to fortify your online presence, adopting effective backup strategies is your shield against potential digital storms. Let’s explore the best practices that will elevate your website backup game.
Implementing a 3-2-1 backup strategy
A time-tested strategy, the 3-2-1 backup principle provides a robust foundation for data protection:
- 3 Copies. Keep three copies of your website data – the original and two backups. This ensures redundancy and minimizes the risk of losing your precious digital assets.
- 2 Different Media. Store your backups on two different types of storage media, such as external hard drives and cloud servers. This guards against data loss due to a single technology failure.
- 1 Offsite Backup. Secure one copy of your backup offsite – away from your physical location. This shields your data from local disasters like fires, floods, or theft.
Regular testing of backup restoration
Backing up your website is only half the battle. Regularly testing the restoration process is equally crucial. Perform practice restoration drills to ensure your backup files are intact and can be successfully used to restore your website.
This proactive approach helps you catch any issues before they become critical, giving you the confidence your backups are reliable and effective.
Securing backup files and access credentials
While backups protect against data loss, they can also become vulnerable if not properly secured. Encrypt your backup files to prevent unauthorized access. Only those with the appropriate decryption keys should be able to access the backup data.
Be sure to safeguard access credentials to your backup storage locations. Use strong, unique passwords and consider multi-factor authentication for an extra layer of protection.
Staying updated with evolving backup technologies
The digital landscape is ever-changing, and backup technologies evolve to meet new challenges. Keep a watchful eye on emerging backup solutions and methodologies that enhance your data protection. Don’t forget to regularly update your backup software and tools to benefit from the latest security patches and features, ensuring your backup strategy remains robust.
Easily restore your website’s data
Website backups are essential shields that defend your digital assets from data loss and cyber threats, ensuring your business’s crucial information remains safe at all costs. They act as insurance policies, guaranteeing uninterrupted operations even in the face of unforeseen disruptions.
Choose a backup strategy tailored to your website’s unique rhythm and importance. Consider Web.com’s CodeGuard to make website backup a breeze. Or, explore other security solutions for better protection.
