Time and time again, you have heard the importance of having a backup copy of your hard drive so that your data is safeguarded in the event that something happens to your computer. The knowledge that all your files and information is lost forever is always very painful.
The same is true for websites. It is now commonplace to hear of a high profile website hack. This means that treats to websites are also very real. Having a backup of your website keeps you safe from these treats and the pain that comes after an attack.
Need to Know: Why Your Website Has Been Hacked And How to Protect It
5 Reasons to Backup Your Website
But why exactly is it important to have website backups? Well, hackers are not the only reason you should create backups. Below we explain 5 reasons why you backing up your site should be a priority.
1. Website Hackers
The number of hackers on the internet is growing in thousands if the number of reported attacks is anything to go by. While majority of these hackers are after your credit card numbers and other sensitive information, a new breed of hackers hacks websites just for the fun of it; to prove to themselves that they can do it. therefore, if your website is live, there is always risk of it being a target.
2. Computer Catastrophes
It is always a good idea to have copies of your files on your computer. However, should your computer crash or get lost, all your files are gone with it. it is therefore a better idea to backup your files on a remote server/computer. This way, you are protected even if something happens to your computer.
3. Mishaps During Updates
While regular updates mean that your website is better because of better features and increased security, sometimes the updates don’t go as planned. This is one of the biggest reasons why WordPress requests you to perform a backup before updating. Because websites are built on multiple components that include plugins, themes, back-end programs, and server-side software, a problematic update of any of these components can cause your website to crash.
4. Viruses and Malware
Trojans, viruses, and other malicious software can find their way into your websites through otherwise safe third party software. Alternatively, you can unknowingly download them with a plugin or theme, or they can get past your firewall’s security. If you have your site backed up, you will be prepared when your website starts acting up.
5. Employee Errors
It is a fact that people will always make mistakes – many times unintentionally. It is therefore possible for a contractor or employee to accidentally click a wrong button and have your website come crashing down. With a backup handy, things can be restored fast and easy, without any loss to your company.
Decide to Minimize the Damage
Let’s take a scenario where you try logging into your website one morning and you are presented with an error page. A second, third, and fourth try does not help and you still wind up at that error page.
The realization that something has gone terribly wrong makes you feel a sinking feeling in your stomach. At this point, there are two possible unfolding:
1. You go into panic. You would try figure out what went wrong, when, and why, and whether all your content is lost too.
2. You could alternatively be a little agitated because you have to spend some minutes reloading your site, but you have peace of mind because you know you have a copy of it backed up safely.
How to Backup your Website
If you are now convinced that backing up your site is the right thing to do, below are some ways of going around it.
- Enquire from your web host if they provide a backup service and asking them to help you set it up.
- Find the person who designed your website and ask them to help you set up backups.
- Use an additional backup service for added security. There are hundreds of places you can get this service for different prices.
- Use a backup plugin on your website. Some of these plugins allow you to schedule backups and could also allow you to send them to cloud storage services like Dropbox.
- If your website is small, you could just compress your files in a ZIP archive and email them to yourself. This however is best for small websites. If you expect the size of your website to increase, other backup methods are better suited.
- Having a copy of your website on your computer is also a good idea though it should not be the sole backup method you use. Also use another technique discussed above.
Making sure your website is safely backed up does not cost you a lot of time or money but is a worthwhile investment especially after considering all threats that exist. If you haven’t scheduled a backup for your website yet, do this today and save yourself from the pain and anguish of a lost or corrupt website.
