A failed update, an accidentally deleted page, or a server outage can interrupt your website. A backup gives you a way to recover. But having an archive is only the beginning: you also need to know what it contains, where it is stored, and how to restore it.
What Should a Website Backup Include?
A complete WordPress backup has two essential parts: website files and the database. Files include images, themes, plugins, and configuration. The database stores posts, pages, settings, and other site data. The official WordPress backup documentation explains how these components work together.
A file-only backup may leave you without your page content. A database-only backup may leave your restored website without images or required components. Keep matching copies of both.
How Often Should You Back Up?
Start with a practical question: how much recent work could you afford to lose? A website updated once a week has different needs from an online store receiving orders throughout the day.
- For a mostly static website, schedule backups around content changes and software updates.
- For an active blog, consider how frequently new posts and comments arrive.
- For an online store, choose a schedule based on order volume and the amount of data loss your business can tolerate.
Create a fresh backup before updating WordPress, themes, or plugins. Do not rely solely on the next scheduled backup.
Where Should Backups Be Stored?
Keep at least one copy separate from your website’s server. If the main server becomes unavailable, a backup stored on that same server may also be inaccessible.
Use a separate storage location with restricted access. Avoid placing backup archives in publicly accessible website folders: they may contain personal information and database connection settings. Retain multiple versions so you can recover from a problem that went unnoticed for some time.
What to Ask Your Hosting Provider
If your hosting plan includes backups, check the details before you need them:
- Are both website files and the database included?
- How often are backups created, and how long are they retained?
- Can you download a copy to your own storage?
- How do you request a restore, and does it cost extra?
- Will backups remain accessible during a server outage?
How to Test a Restore
Restore a backup to a separate test environment. For an online store, disable live payments, customer emails, and external integrations before testing to avoid sending notifications or triggering duplicate actions.
- Select a matching set of website files and database data.
- Follow the restoration instructions for your backup tool.
- Check the homepage, several posts, and uploaded images.
- Test administrator access and essential website functions.
- Record how long recovery takes and any problems you encounter.
This test helps confirm that your backup contains what you need and that you can restore the website within an acceptable time.
Your Website Backup Checklist
- Automatic backups are configured.
- Both files and the database are included.
- A copy is stored outside the main server.
- Several previous versions are available.
- Failed backups trigger a notification.
- A test restoration has completed successfully.
A reliable backup is one you have successfully restored. Set a schedule, monitor the results, and repeat your recovery test after significant infrastructure changes.
