Website Backups: 6 Checks Before You Need a Restore
Could you restore your website? A backup needs a working recovery plan. This short video explains six points, with written steps and practical notes below.
1:47 · No narration: the video shows each step as text on screen, and every step is written out below, with buttons that jump the video to it.
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The six points in the video
The video is silent. These are its on-screen headings, explanations and labels, followed by supporting notes.
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Step 1: Know what is included
Identify the files and data needed to recover.
On-screen labels: Website files; Stored content; Essential records.
Check the website files, database or stored content, and any other records needed for recovery. An exported page may leave out features or data.
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Step 2: Agree the backup timing
Choose a schedule that fits how often things change.
On-screen labels: Update frequency; Backup schedule; Acceptable data loss.
Choose backup timing according to how much the site changes and how much recent information the business could afford to lose.
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Step 3: Keep a separate copy
Avoid relying on one service or one device.
On-screen labels: Independent copy; Safe location; Protected access.
A copy dependent on the same account or device may be affected by the same incident. Agree where a separate copy is kept and how access is protected.
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Step 4: Know who can restore
Keep the recovery contact and access details available.
On-screen labels: Named contact; Recovery access; Written steps.
Know who can carry out a restore and how to reach them. Recovery should remain possible when the usual administrator is unavailable.
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Step 5: Test a safe recovery
Check a restore away from the live website.
On-screen labels: Test environment; Recovered content; Working features.
Restore into a safe test location so you can inspect recovered content and features without replacing the live site.
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Step 6: Record what happened
Keep results and improve the recovery plan.
On-screen labels: Restore date; Problems found; Next review.
Save the test date and findings. Repeat the exercise when important systems or suppliers change, and at an agreed review interval.
A practical check for your business
Ask the supplier to demonstrate a restore in a separate test environment. Record what was recovered, what did not work, how long it took and who is responsible for fixing the gaps. A backup label alone does not demonstrate a working recovery.
Sources and further detail
Common questions
Is a successful backup enough?
A backup needs to be recoverable. Test a restore safely and check that the recovered content and important features work.
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