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It is estimated that 80 percent of all business data is stored on computers. To protect that valuable investment, technology analysts suggest that all businesses use backup and recovery solutions to protect their information in case of a catastrophic event or computer system failure. If a computer malfunctions, is lost or stolen, becomes infected with a virus, or if a file is mistakenly deleted, backup and restoration services allow for the easy retrieval of the lost or corrupted data with just a few mouse clicks.
Make sure you backup all the elements (visible and not) that make your ecommerce website function. This includes but is not limited to image files, static web pages, configuration files, SSL certificates, scripting files and databases.
You should backup as often as possible to make sure you have the latest version of your website and supporting files incase you need them to recreate your website. Web pages usually do not change that often (depending the nature of your website) but the database that powers your website does change everyday.
Therefore a daily backup schedule is the best way to keep your backup data insync with your Live website.
Your data should always be backed-up in two places.
(1) A Local copy - most web hosts offer this if your website is on a shared or dedicated hosting plan.
(2) An offsite copy - a copy separate from the normal backup done by your web host and stored at an offsite Secured data center away from the web server/web host that contains your website.
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It does not make sense for you to put your spare key on the same key chain as the key you use everyday because if you lose the key chain then you have lost both! The same rule applies to your even more precious and irreplaceable data. Having just "onsite local backups" or having your website and the only Backup Copy of your website hosted in the location is a disaster (that you cannot Recover from) waiting to happen.
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Other than what is already mentioned above about the importance of a "physically separate" backup location there are a few things most people do not think about that makes "Offsite Backup" a MUST.
1. - if this happens you will not get a refund for any prepaid services and you will more than likely lose access to the data they backup up. You may also lose access to your live site itself if your web hosts shuts down suddenly.
2. - If the physical location where your web server & backup data are located are damaged or destroyed then you will not be able to restore your website or databases.
3. - your website will be taken offline and your will not be able to access the backup data they have or your live website to make a backup.
4. - If your web hosts server crashes and their backups turn out to be corrupted then you will have to restart your website from scratch. Do not think backups can be corrupted? Do Googling and you will be surprised at what you find. There is ONLY one way to know if a backup is truly good..and that is to Test it. Time wise and financially a web hosts main concern is (and understandably so)has to be getting the web server backup online and in 100% "Working order" that does not include "having the latest version of your website" or testing individual backups to make sure they are not corrupted.
5. - If you have managed one or more website then you have probably experienced "bad service" from at least one web host. Bad Web Hosting service typically comes from, but is not limited to, "shared hosting" that either (A) has too many websites on one server or (B) A Web host not configuring and/or protecting their web servers from scripts running on them.
Either scenario will result in very slow website load times and sooner or later bring the web server down in crash. If the web server crashes and you do not have an offsite backup you "Literally" have to wait until your web host fixes the problem and brings the web server back online. Depending on your history with the web host and the importance of what you are selling you can continue business as usual, upgrade to a dedicated server or move to a more reliable hosting provider. Regardless of which one you choose you Will have to wait sometimes hours, days, weeks or Never if the server is not recoverable.
Restoring or transferring your website to a new (makes sure compatible) web host will involve four main tasks.
(1) Securely transfer the most recent copy of your website files to the web server. (be sure to recheck permissions on files and folders)
(2) Restoring and updating configuration files. (Be sure to update "server paths" and settings for the new server)
(3) Restoring your database structure and content via SQLadmin or another database management program.
(4) Transferring your SSL certificate. (You may need your SSL certificate "reissued" with a signing certificate that matches the type of new web server you are using).
(5) Test, Test, Test - make sure you do not have any broken links and that your website is connecting to your database and displaying correctly.
(6) Backup your data! - this will save any small changes you made and keep your most current data (your business) protected.
PropelMWS Managed eBackup completely Backups up your Ecommerce Website. Including Web page files, configuration files and Databases!!! But that's not all...our service also includes "Ecommerce Recovery" which simply put means we "Recreate all your web page files, database(s) and appropriate configuration files/links on your web hosts server to ensure your site is back up, operating correctly and making money. |
