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Quick answer: Back up your website automatically every day, keep copies somewhere other than the website's own server, keep several days or weeks of history, and test a restore now and then.
What can go wrong
Hacking, a bad update, a deleted page, a failed server or a disagreement with a former host can all wipe out a website. With a recent backup it is a short inconvenience; without one it can mean rebuilding from nothing.
What to back up
- All website files, including uploaded images and documents
- The database, for sites and stores that use one
- Configuration such as redirects and settings
- Your DNS records, as a simple export or list
How often
| Site type | Suggested frequency |
|---|---|
| Brochure site that rarely changes | Daily, plus before every change |
| Online store or booking site | Daily at least, more often if orders are frequent |
| Custom software with live data | Several times a day or continuous, as agreed |
The 3-2-1 rule
Keep three copies of your data, on two different types of storage, with one copy off-site. A backup stored only on the same server as the website disappears with it.
Test the restore
A backup only counts if it can be restored. Restore a copy to a test location occasionally to check it works and to know how long it takes.
Daily backups and restores are part of our monthly hosting package.
Domains & Hosting from Digitalx, priced in writing before we start.