HostingHarbor Guide
Website Backups: What To Know
Website backups protect against mistakes, failed updates, compromises, and other situations where you need to restore a working copy.
A Useful Backup Plan
Check backup frequency, retention, restore process, storage location, and whether restores cost extra. For important sites, keep an independent backup rather than relying on one copy.
The 3-2-1 Mindset
For important sites, keep multiple copies, use more than one storage location or medium, and maintain at least one copy outside the production hosting account. The exact implementation can vary, but independence matters.
Frequency and Retention
Backup frequency should match how often the site changes. A store taking orders every hour needs a different recovery point objective from a brochure site updated monthly.
Test Restores
A backup is only useful if it can be restored. Periodically verify that files and databases are complete and that you understand the restore process before an emergency.
Before Major Changes
Take a fresh backup before migrations, WordPress core/plugin updates, theme changes, or large content imports. A rollback plan turns many risky changes into manageable ones.