Do your backups really work with your current website hosting?

Backups might not be the most exciting part of running a website, but they are essential for protecting your data, especially if you have an online shop. But here’s the real question: can you access and restore your backups if disaster strikes? You’d hope to never need them, but knowing they’re reliable can save you from a nightmare scenario.

Why Are Backups So Important?

Your website lives on a server, essentially a collection of files and a database. If something compromises your website—a server failure, hacking, or even a natural disaster—a backup is your lifeline to getting your site back up and running. Without reliable backups, restoring your site can be a costly and time-consuming ordeal.

For online shops, backups are even more critical. A rollback to an older version could mean losing recent orders or customer data. Testing your backups—and knowing how to access and restore them—is key to ensuring your business doesn’t grind to a halt in an emergency.

Secure website hosting for your website

At Polyspiral, we take pride in managing a wide range of websites, ensuring they remain secure and operate seamlessly. We proactively prevent or address exploits and other forms of attacks, giving you peace of mind. Additionally, we offer personalized, one-on-one support for every website we host, allowing you to reach out to us with any concerns or to discuss potential new features—at no extra cost. Our hosting services are fully GDPR-compliant and powered entirely by 100% renewable energy, reflecting our commitment to sustainability.

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Backup Methods: Server vs. Website Interface

WordPress Backups via Plugins

WordPress offers plugins like UpdraftPlus and BackupBuddy to automate backups from your site’s dashboard. These plugins make it easy to:

• Schedule regular backups.
• Restore from previous versions.
• Download backups to your local device.

While convenient, this method has limitations:

1. Access Issues: If your website is down due to hacking or a DDoS attack, you won’t be able to access these backups from the dashboard.
2. Disk Space: Backups saved within the site’s directory can consume significant space, potentially slowing down your website.
3. Performance Impact: Running backups directly on the website can affect its speed, which could harm user experience and SEO rankings.

Server-Level Backups

Backups managed by your hosting provider and stored outside the website’s directory are often a more robust solution. Here’s why:

• Accessibility: Even if your website is down, you can access backups via the hosting control panel or FTP.
• No Performance Impact: These backups don’t burden your website’s resources, ensuring smooth performance.
• Selective Restoration: Hosting platforms often allow you to restore only the files, the database, or both, giving you greater control.

With server-level backups, you can download files as zipped archives and restore them with just a few clicks—a faster and more reliable option in emergencies.

Testing Your Backups: Are They Reliable?

A backup is only as good as its ability to restore your site. Here’s how to ensure your backups are dependable:

1. Test Restorations Early: During the initial stages of website development, test restoring from backups. If something goes wrong, you’ll have fewer repercussions.
2. Build a Test Site: Use a staging or test environment to practice restoring backups. This helps you understand the process and ensures everything works as expected.
3. Verify Backup Completeness: Check that your backups include all necessary files and the database.

Beware of “Token” Backup Options

Some hosting providers offer backup options that are more marketing fluff than functional tools. Without proper functionality, these backups may be inaccessible or unusable when you need them most. Ensure your hosting provider offers reliable backup solutions by:

• Testing restorations.
• Reading reviews and terms of service.
• Asking for technical guidance if needed.

Our Approach to Reliable Backups

With our hosting services:

• Daily Backups: We run daily backups on the server, stored securely in cloud storage.
• GDPR-Compliant Storage: All backups comply with GDPR regulations and are based in the UK.
• Full Access: Clients receive access to both the backend of their website and the server, with full technical guidance if requested.
• Transparency and Support: We empower our customers with clear, approachable support to ensure they’re confident in their backup solutions.

Ensuring Peace of Mind with Backups

Backups are your safety net, but they’re only effective if they work when needed. By understanding your backup options, testing their reliability, and ensuring you can access them in emergencies, you can protect your website and data from unexpected events. Don’t wait until it’s too late—verify your backups today and ensure peace of mind for the future.