How to Backup a WordPress Website
With the rapid rise of the SaaS (Software as a Service) space, online backup services have become incredibly popular. Many WordPress users turn to these services to ensure that their content is safe in case of a crash or server outage. While there are several advantages to having your website backed up by a service, it is important to understand the differences between the various options available before committing to any one.
Traditional Backup Services vs Online Backup Services
Traditional backup services are offered by companies that back up PCs and mobile phones. These are the kinds of services that create a duplicate of your hard drive or mobile phone’s content and store it in a secure location. For instance, Backupsite.com offers one of the most popular traditional backup services. The service provides users with the ability to easily download and restore their data in the event that their device is broken down or stolen. This type of service is still widely used because people feel more comfortable knowing their materials are being served by a company they’ve trusted for many years.
The big advantage of a traditional backup service is that it is free. However, many bloggers and website owners prefer to use online backup services because they believe the convenience of having a simple to use web interface is worth the cost. The two main providers of online backup services for WordPress are Dropbox and Google Drive.
The Merits of Traditional Backup Services
Since the dawn of the Internet, people have depended on online resources to back up their data. This trend is not going to fade away anytime soon, especially considering how easy it is to set up a traditional backup service. For instance, you can use free Dropbox accounts to back up your WordPress website. All you need to do is log in to your Dropbox account, choose File > Create Backup, and follow the on-screen instructions. You will then have a backup ready to go in no time.
Another advantage of a traditional backup service is that you can use a free space on their platform to store all your media. This includes images, videos, and podcasts. Many people use their own computers and storage devices to create and store media files on. However, a traditional backup service offers a convenient way to back up all your media without having to worry about running out of storage.
The biggest advantage of a traditional backup service is that you don’t need to think about programming or coding to use it. As a matter of fact, most of the time, all you need to do is follow the on-screen instructions to create a backup. This is a great option for people who aren’t necessarily tech-savvy and want to get the work done fast.
The Disadvantages Of Traditional Backup Services
Since most people use traditional backup services for their WordPress sites, they often experience the disadvantages associated with the platform. Chief among them is the security of the data. While a traditional backup service encrypts your data during transmission, it is not secure enough to protect against hackers and data thieves. This is why the industry as a whole moves towards more reliable SaaS backup solutions.
Another disadvantage associated with traditional backup services is that you can only restore data from a previous point in time. Even the most advanced users run into problems when trying to use these platforms to recover data that was accidentally deleted or corrupted. This is why we recommend you avoid using traditional backup services for restoring your WordPress website’s content. Ideally, you want to find a service that is more concerned with uptime and reliability than they are with charging you for data storage.
The Merits of Online Backup Services
Online backup services are much more than just a safe place to store your data. These platforms provide you with the ability to effortlessly restore your entire website or blog in the event of a disaster. As mentioned by the name, these services store all your data online, enabling you to access it from any device at any time. This is why many WordPress users prefer to use them.
One advantage of online backup services is the speed at which you can get your content back up and running. Typically, you can have your website ready to go in just a few minutes. Another advantage of these platforms is that they are extremely secure. Hackers need to gain access to your device or account in order to steal your material. As a general rule, online backup services use military-grade encryption to ensure that your information is highly secure while it is stored on their system.
The biggest advantage of online backup services is that they provide users with a safe and reliable place to store all their data. As long as you are using a reputable service, the chances of your material being lost or corrupted is virtually non-existent. This is why we highly recommend you consider these platforms when you are looking for an online backup solution.
Choosing An Online Backup Service For WordPress
With the many advantages of both traditional and online backup services, it is easy for a person to get caught up in the excitement about one platform or the other. Unfortunately, this is where the harmony ends. While traditional backup services are free, the pricing structures of the online backup services can be a bit more complicated. This is why it is important to learn about the various types of charges that these services levy so that you can make the right choice for your needs. We will discuss this in more detail below.
Basic Details To Know
One of the first things you need to know about any backup service is how much space they require for each backup. This is going to depend on how often you are backed up and how much content you have to store. If you are running a personal blog with just a few pieces of content, you probably don’t need an additional 250 GB of storage just to back up your WordPress site. However, if you are running a large business that constantly experiences data loss, you might want to look at extra large servers or cloud storage.
Another important factor to consider when choosing an online backup service is the Uptime policy. Since these platforms store all of your data online, it is crucial that you are confident that they are going to be reliable and accessible whenever you need them. Some companies guarantee that their servers will be available at least 99.9% of the time. Many services also provide users with additional peace of mind through Dedicated servers. These are expensive but offer unparalleled levels of reliability.
When it comes to the security of your data, websites are always more secure in theory than they are in practice. This is because the creators of these platforms cannot guarantee that your information will not be stolen by hackers. Many companies are making huge investments to ensure that your personal data is not at risk of being breached. While it is not immediate actionable proof of a security breach, it is always a good idea to move your data to a secure location and use passwords to access the site whenever possible.
Features To Look For
An extremely important factor to consider when choosing an online backup service provider is the features available on their website. The two main things to look out for are the security of the platform and the level of customization available. When it comes to security, ensure that the service you choose is Trusted Serve. This certification is given to only the most reliable online backup services. This certification also indicates that the company has taken the necessary measures to protect their servers from DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks.
The degree of customization available on the site is also important to consider. Many people like to tailor the design of their blogs and websites to fit their personal mood or style. This is why it is important to find a service that allows for a large degree of customization. You should also be able to change the color scheme, add a logo, and update the content as often as you like without having to contact support