How To Back Up Your Website In Just A Few Clicks

A website backup is an important part of keeping your site’s files and data safe in case of server failures, cyberattacks, human error, or issues caused by updates. Without a proper website backup and restoration plan in place, you risk losing your content, images, and customer information. This can lead to extended downtime and possible financial losses while you try and recover everything. This guide will show you how to quickly and easily back up your site and implement a comprehensive website backup plan. This includes your files, databases, and settings. Additionally, we’ll show you the different backup types, including full, incremental, and differential, and how you can implement them using your Web Hosting control panel and other tools.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Website backups protect against cyberattacks, server failures, and accidental deletions, minimize downtime and losses, and enable quick recovery.  
• Full backups copy all files and databases, ideal for major updates or migrations. Incremental backups save only changes since the last backup, providing efficiency for frequent updates but complicating restoration. Differential backups capture changes made since the last full backup, striking a balance between speed and storage efficiency.  
• Backup methods include manual backups using FTP software (e.g., FileZilla) or cPanel and automated backups via hosting-managed services or WordPress plugins like UpdraftPlus and BackupBuddy.  
• Use the 3-2-1 strategy: keep three data copies- primary, local, and off-site; secure off-site backups in encrypted cloud storage. Regularly update files and protect access with strong credentials and two-factor authentication.  
• Test backups regularly for successful restoration. Set frequencies based on website activity: daily for blogs and weekly for less dynamic sites. Schedule backups during low-traffic periods and enable notifications for monitoring.  
• Avoid common mistakes such as skipping regular updates and tests, relying on a single backup method, and using outdated or insecure storage solutions. 

The Importance of Website Backups

Website backups serve as a safety net, allowing you to easily restore everything if something goes wrong—whether it’s a server crash, a cyberattack, an accidental deletion, or issues caused by software updates.

By not having a solid backup strategy, you risk losing essential files and data, such as your content, images, and customer information. This could lead to extended downtime and potentially result in financial losses as you attempt to recover everything.

Therefore, make it a habit to perform regular backups as part of your website maintenance routine. This way, you’re not just protecting your data but also creating a safe environment for your online business.

Understanding Website Backup Types

Having a good grasp of the different types of backup strategies will help you pick the best one for your website’s unique needs, depending on how often your content changes and the level of security you require.

Full

As the name implies, a full backup is a complete copy of all your website’s files, databases, and content. This type is the most comprehensive, allowing for a complete restoration of your site if needed. While full backups provide the most data protection, they usually take longer to complete and need more storage space than other methods.

Complete backups are particularly useful in these situations:

• You are implementing major updates and changes to your website.
• Preparation for website migration to a different hosting provider.
• You need a snapshot of your site at a specific point for reference.

Incremental

These backups only cover the changes made since the most recent full or incremental backup was performed. This type tends to be faster and consumes less storage space because the amount of data that needs to be backed up is lower. 

However, restoring your site can be more complex and take longer because it requires the last full backup along with all subsequent incremental ones.

Incremental backups work best for:  

• Websites that receive regular updates. 
• People who want to free up server storage space. 
• Situations that require fast backup times.  

Differential

This method strikes a balance between full and incremental methods, providing faster restoration times than incremental backups while consuming less space than performing a complete site backup every time. This is because differential backups only capture the changes made since the most recent full one.

Using a differential approach works best when:

• You require quicker recovery times than those provided by incremental backups.
• Your site receives updates on a semi-regular basis.

Choosing the Right Backup Method

Now that you understand the role of backups and the different types, here’s how to start implementing them. There are two main methods for backing up your website: manual and automatic. 

Manually Backing Up a Website

Manual backups involve directly copying files from your server and exporting databases yourself. While this method requires more effort on your part, it gives you complete control over the process and what is included.

Using File Transfer Protocol (FTP) Software

1. Start by downloading an FTP client, such as FileZilla. 
2. To connect to your server, enter the FTP credentials (host address, username, password) provided by your hosting service.
3. Once connected, navigate to the directory where your website files are stored, usually in the public_html folder. 
4. Select all files and folders, including any subdirectories, and download them to a local folder on your computer or external drive. 
5. Access your hosting control panel (e.g., cPanel) and locate phpMyAdmin. Select your database and click Export to download a copy. 

Backing Up via cPanel Control Panel

If you have access to the cPanel control panel through your hosting provider, backing up your site this way is easier than using FTP. 

• Access your hosting account and login to the cPanel dashboard.  
• Find the Backup or Backup Wizard section. 
• Choose the option for a full backup or select the specific files or databases you want to copy. 
• Once complete, download the file to your local machine or storage device. 

Automated Backups

Automatic backups make things much easier by setting up regular website backups without requiring manual effort. This is particularly helpful as it frees you up to concentrate on your business rather than routine tasks. It’s also a good option for anyone who might forget to back up their websites regularly.

Hosted.com includes daily automated Acronis backups in all our cPanel Web and WordPress Hosting plans with easy restoration options, so you don’t have to worry about lost data or pages.

WordPress Plugins

You can also use plugins to automate your website backups if you are running a WordPress site. Some of the most popular include:

• UpdraftPlus: This widely used plugin allows you to set up and schedule automatic backups and store them in cloud services such as Google Drive or Dropbox. 
• BackupBuddy: A premium (paid) solution offering comprehensive backup features along with WordPress migration capabilities.
• Duplicator: A great option for creating full site packages that can be easily moved or restored. 

To set up a WordPress plugin using UpDraftPlus as an example:

1. Access the Plugins section of your WordPress dashboard and select Add New.
2. Search for UpdraftPlus in the repository. 
3. Once the installation is complete, navigate to the dashboard’s Settings section and select the plugin to configure settings, such as backup frequency and storage destination. 
4. Click on Backup Now to start the first backup. 

Best Practices To Backup A Website

Now that you know the different ways you can create backups of your site, here are a few best practices to follow:

Setting Up A Backup Schedule 

Your backup schedule should depend on how often you update your website.

For websites that regularly change content, such as blogs, daily (ideally) or weekly backups are recommended. If you have a site that is updated less frequently, such as a portfolio, monthly or bi-weekly backups might be enough.

When configuring automatic backups, select periods of low traffic, such as late at night, to minimize the impact on system performance. It is also important to enable notifications to receive alerts about the success or failure of backups. Additionally, regularly review the logs or reports given by your automation systems to ensure that all features and functionalities are running smoothly.

Testing

Creating a backup is just the first step in keeping your files and data safe; testing it is just as important! By regularly testing your backups, you can make sure they are working well and ready to be restored whenever you need them. This proactive approach helps spot any potential issues before they turn into bigger problems during an emergency. 

1. Create a testing environment (or a staging site) that enables a secure backup restoration without affecting your live website.
2. Follow the restoration guidelines provided by your hosting service or the documentation for the relevant plugin.    
3. Ensure that all content has been accurately restored and functions as intended before relying on that backup during a genuine emergency. 

Storing Your Backups Safely

The security of your backup files is equally important as creating them. 

Cloud storage offers a high level of convenience and security, provided that reliable internet access is available. In contrast, physical storage provides immediate access without an internet connection but may be vulnerable if not properly secured in an off-site location. 

Platforms like Amazon S3, Google Drive, and Dropbox offer scalability and enable access from anywhere with internet connectivity. External hard drives and USB drives are great choices for off-site storage. Just remember to keep them in safe places to guard against any potential theft. 

When selecting a cloud storage option for your backups, look for a service with solid security protocols. It’s also best to encrypt sensitive documents before uploading them online.

Additionally, ensure that you regularly update the passwords associated with your cloud accounts and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever possible. 

The 3-2-1 Rule

The 3-2-1 rule suggests you keep three separate copies of your website: one main copy on your website’s hosting server and two others – one on an external hard drive and another in cloud storage.

This method reduces the risks of data loss from hardware failures, malware infections, or site crashes, making it a multi-layered approach for keeping your files and data safe. 

Keeping a backup of your data in a separate location is a smart way to protect against unexpected events that could damage both the server and local copies of your important information. Services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and other cloud storage options are excellent choices for securely storing your data off-site. 

Additionally, having multiple copies is a great way to ensure you always have backups. If one copy fails or becomes corrupted, you can easily use the others for recovery. It’s also a good idea to regularly check the integrity of all your copies and update them whenever needed. This way, you can have peace of mind knowing your data is secure.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overlooking Regular Updates

Failing to consistently update website content and its backups can lead to restoring outdated information in critical situations. Establishing routines for regular checks of both is essential.

Neglecting Restoration Testing

Many people set up backups but neglect to test them until they’re necessary, which often results in unexpected issues. Testing should be included in regular maintenance routines.

Dependence on a Single Backup Method

Relying solely on a single backup method can lead to vulnerabilities. By employing multiple strategies, you ensure redundancy and mitigate the risks of having just one point of failure.

FAQS

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