Don’t Let Your Investment Go to Waste: Why You Need a Website Backup

Most of us don’t go to bed thinking, “What would happen if our new website suddenly disappeared?” 

Unfortunately, though, sometimes things go wrong. Cyberattacks, accidental deletion, software update failures, or hosting issues can cause the fruits of the time and money you’ve invested to vanish. 

That’s why it’s so important to maintain a website backup. It allows you to quickly restore your site without losing valuable data or dealing with extended downtime (periods when visitors can’t access your website). 

In this guide, we’ll explain why exactly a website backup is the security plan you can’t afford to skip and how it protects your site from unexpected disasters.

What is a website backup?

A website backup is a secure copy of all your website’s data and files. If some or all of your website were to disappear, you would be protected because you have an extra copy safely secured. Think of a website backup as your insurance policy for the digital world. It’s essential for peace of mind.

Backups are often stored in the cloud, but if you have a team that offers professional website hosting, they’ll use automated systems that take regular backups and store them in multiple off-site locations. This is the most secure option. 

4 reasons why you can’t skip a website backup

It can be tempting to take a gamble on website security. Maybe you don’t hear about website disasters very often, so you wonder, “Why bother?”  The thing is, a website backup is kind of like home insurance. It’s there if the worst case ever happens, which is always a possibility (even if it’s a low one). 

1. Protection from human error

We’ve all had those scares. You click something and all of a sudden…it’s gone. 

You’re a human, and your team is a bunch of humans. That means accidents, lapses in memory, and mistakes will probably happen, but you can be prepared.

Whether it’s a team member who accidentally clicks the wrong button or your developer who’s trying to problem-solve a complex update and it takes an unexpected turn, the best way to protect against human error is to have a website backup. That way, nothing is ever 100% lost. 

2. Software updates gone wrong

It’s not just humans that make mistakes. Tech does too. Occasionally, plugin, theme, or CMS conflicts can cause data loss or performance issues. Even the most routine updates can cause functional and layout problems. In the most dramatic case, it can result in full site failure. This is rare, but it’s possible, and sometimes, there’s very little we can do after the fact to fully protect. A website backup covers you before software updates have a chance to wreak havoc. 

3. Server or hosting failure

A server is a computer or system that holds all your website files, while a host is the company that provides access to those servers. The fact is, even the best hosting with the highest quality server isn’t 100% safe. It can come close, but there’s always a small risk of service crashes. This can happen for a variety of reasons, like the server receiving too many requests, hardware failures, viruses/hacking, software bugs, or even power outages. But if you’ve got a solid website backup? You’ll be back up and running quickly. 

4. Hacking and malware

Unfortunately, cyber threats are out there every day, and they’re constantly getting more sophisticated. Sometimes hackers gain access to computer systems and website data (often to steal the data). They may also inject malware, which includes things like viruses and spyware. It’s not fun stuff. If your website is hacked or injected with malware, a backup is the fastest way to remove the threat.

Hire a team that knows how to restore your website

Your website is one of your most valuable digital assets, and disasters—whether human error, software failures, server crashes, or cyberattacks—can strike without warning.

Having a reliable backup ensures you’re never starting from scratch and can recover quickly with minimal disruption. If you pair that backup with a knowledgeable team that can restore your site, you can focus on growing your business, not worrying about what could go wrong. 

If you’re looking for a website team that will keep your site safe and secure as the day it launches, we’ve got you covered. Drio SAFE is our elevated WordPress Hosting and Maintenance Plan (available exclusively to Drio clients). Get in touch to learn more about how we can help!