A backup is a complete copy of your website’s files and database, saved separately so you can restore your site if something goes wrong — a hacked site, a bad plugin update, or accidental deletion.
Without a backup, an unlucky mistake or attack could mean losing everything: posts, pages, comments, and settings, all at once.
What a Backup Includes
- Database — posts, pages, comments, and settings.
- Media files — images, videos, and uploaded documents.
- Themes and plugins — the code powering your site’s design and features.
How Often Should You Back Up?
This depends on how often your site changes. A daily blog or online store benefits from daily backups, while a rarely updated brochure site might only need weekly ones.
Tip
Store backups somewhere other than your own server, such as cloud storage. If your hosting account is compromised or fails entirely, a backup sitting on the same server won’t help you.