Most site owners only think about backups once something goes wrong. Yet losing a site doesn't take a major attack: a failed plugin update, an accidentally deleted folder, unpaid hosting or an outdated password is enough. The good news: a properly set-up backup brings the site back within hours in every one of these cases.
What is the 3-2-1 rule?
- 3 — keep at least three copies of your data (the original + two backups);
- 2 — store the backups on at least two different types of storage;
- 1 — keep one of the copies somewhere completely separate (a different server or the office).
The aim is simple: a problem on one server must not destroy all the copies at once. A copy kept on the same server as the site protects you from a failed update, but can be lost along with it if the server fails or the account is hacked.
What should be backed up?
- The site's files (images, uploaded documents, themes and plugins);
- The database — articles, orders and customer records usually live here;
- Corporate mailboxes;
- Configuration: DNS records, special server settings, integration keys — these live "in someone's head" rather than in files, and are the hardest part to restore.
How often?
For sites updated daily (online stores, news portals) — every day. For brochure sites that rarely change, a weekly copy may be enough. It's important to keep several days of copies: sometimes a problem is only noticed days later. For example, if malicious code was planted on the site, the latest copy may already be infected.
When will you need it?
- A failed update — the site won't open after a plugin or theme update;
- Human error — a staff member deleted a page, products or a folder;
- A hack — strange ads and redirects have appeared on the site;
- A hosting problem — the server has failed or the account has been suspended;
- A move — the site is being moved to new hosting.
The most forgotten step: testing the restore
A backup you've never restored from is just a hope. At least once or twice a year, check that the site really can be brought back from a copy: the archive opens fully, the database imports without errors, and the site works after the restore.
A quick checklist for site owners
- Copies are made automatically — they don't depend on anyone remembering;
- At least one copy is stored away from the site's server;
- The last 7–30 days of copies are kept;
- It's clear who will do a restore and how long it will take;
- The date of the last test restore is written down.
Our hosting plans include daily automatic backups, and you can see the backup size in your account. If you don't know how your site's backups are set up, open a support request from your client account — we'll check it together.
