Are you prepared for a database failure? What would you do if your laptop’s hard drive melted? Electronic failure is a when not an if. The only way to recover from a digital catastrophe is to have your data stored safely and in multiple locations.
Photographers, internet servers, banks, governments, and home computer users keep the 3-2-1 Rule.
Make three copies of all important files. This is time well spent.
Store as two different types of media. For instance, burn a CD (or fifty thousand) monthly.
Keep one copy offsite. I have heard of many methods for this. Mailing the disks to your sister on the opposite coast, utilizing a safe deposit box or online backups are ideas. I use SugarSync.
This all applies to your self-hosted WordPress site, too. Servers crash, its sad but true. Reputable host servers have redundant backups of all of their systems but you should always keep your own copies. I will explain the monthly backup strategy I use for my clients’ sites.
- Export content- this option is accessed in the Tools menu of your WordPress dashboard.
- Database backup- I use Lester Chan’s WP-DBManager Plugin. this plugin optimizes your site’s MySQL database and creates a backup file. This can be sent to you via email. I have theses files emailed directly to my SugarSync Magic Briefcase. This creates a cop on my hard drive(s) and in my SugarSync account.If you were to lose you site content or theme, you can recover it from the file stored in your site directory via the plugin’s menu.
- Copy FTP- with FileZilla, I copy the entire website directory into my hard drive.
- Load into secure cloud drive. In addition to my SugarSync account, I have a second DreamHost account that I use for backup storage. Unlimited storage and bandwidth FTW!
In summary, backup fully on a regular basis. You don’t want to be left crying when you have a hacked site. If you don’t want to do it yourself, check out ExpandSM’s WordPress Service Contract option.
