Hosting Forum

Website Backups
Please note, that the current thread is focused only to website backups and not Webhosting clients` websites backup.
Every day, we are modifying our websites, posting new articles, or sharing different types of multimedia, and this new information is stored in the database of our website. Herein, we have to do something in order to protect that vital information. The only absolutely proven method includes the creation of daily/weekly copies of the database – Backups. It is true that most of the webhosting providers are keeping backups of the clients` databases, however, you shouldn`t entirely rely on your provider to keep a copy of your database. The provider is usually making such backups, but in most of the cases this done 1-2 times per month. Because of that, if something happens with your website and the database is ``damaged``, your hosting provider will most likely have an outdated database copy. The process of backup creation is fast and easy, so it won`t cost you much to perform it at least once per week. After you have downloaded the backup to your computer, you can burn it to a CD/DVD, or you can copy the database to any type of reliable removable media device. Just do not entirely rely on a copy saved on your main computer HDD. Do not delete the previous/older backups, because you might need them again at some point. You should also make a backup in all cases of planned website/server major modifications.

I agree with what you said Max, creating backups for yourself and not just relying on the Provider's backup schedule. But Max I wanna ask if there is a system restore point on a website? Like in a desktop PC?

No, there is no similar function in the web environment. The only way for a 100% website ``restore`` is from a recent backup.
Hacking Attempt/Server Malfunction/Bad Provider+No database backup = ``Game Over``

Maximus,

You have really great points here. From working in the website business, I have absolutely learned that taking responsibility for my own content is always the best route. Some providers will offer backed up content, and emergency data recovery services, but no one is more reliable than you.

That being said, backup redundancy (can be expensive) but a good idea nonetheless.

Yes Providers will offer back up content but usually what is happening is they back up your content twice a week or sometimes lesser than that which is really bad for your website

The only one you can rely on is yourself to take the responsibility of backing up your content everyday, but Gabe what do you mean by back up redundancy?

(03-28-2012 08:28 PM)Apaullo Wrote: [ -> ]Yes Providers will offer back up content but usually what is happening is they back up your content twice a week or sometimes lesser than that which is really bad for your website

The only one you can rely on is yourself to take the responsibility of backing up your content everyday, but Gabe what do you mean by back up redundancy?

Hey Apaullo,

I mean that you should keep multiple backups via multiple locations if possible. For example, at home I have a physical hard drive backup of my computer (incremental) and also backup my entire machine and settings via iCloud. At any point there is always the possibility that the hard drive could fail, or maybe that the iCloud service is unavailable.

Plan for the unexpected.

Yes, the multiple backup locations are always recommended. For example, I`m backing up the same database on my laptop, desktop, flash drive, and also on memory cards Maybe that`s a little bit paranoid , but at least my sleep is not affected

Lols guys! Indeed it is a smart idea to plan for what will be unexpected I also have several back ups of my own, on my HDD, on my externel My Book, and I also write it on DVD's but then sometimes it is too troublesome to backup