Backups are the unglamorous hero of running a website. You rarely think about them until something breaks, and then they are the difference between a quick recovery and a disaster. This guide explains why backups matter, how often to take them, and how to do it right.
Why backups matter
Things go wrong even on well-run sites: a bad update, a plugin conflict, a mistaken edit, a security incident, or simple human error. A recent backup lets you roll back to a working version in minutes instead of rebuilding from scratch.
What to back up
- Website files: your themes, plugins, uploads, and configuration.
- Databases: your content, settings, and, for shops, your orders.
- Email, if you rely on mailboxes hosted with your site.
How often should you back up?
- Low-change sites (a simple brochure site): weekly is usually fine.
- Active blogs or business sites: daily is safer.
- Online stores: daily at least, ideally more often, so you never lose orders.
- Always take an extra backup before major changes or updates.
The 3-2-1 rule
A simple, trusted approach: keep three copies of your data, on two types of storage, with one copy off-site. In practice that means your live site, a backup on the server, and a copy downloaded somewhere else.
Test your restores
A backup you cannot restore is not a backup. Occasionally test restoring a copy so you know the process works and the files are complete, before you ever need it in an emergency.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Keeping backups only on the same server as the site.
- Never testing whether a restore actually works.
- Backing up files but forgetting the database.
- Leaving very old backups to pile up and fill your disk.
Backups made easy with Disoh
Disoh includes backups so you always have a recent restore point, plus the tools to create and download your own. It is one more way affordable hosting keeps your site safe. See Disoh plans and host with peace of mind.
