Backups are the unsung heroes of the web — rarely noticed until disaster strikes. Whether it’s a hacked website, a failed plugin update, or accidental deletion, backups can save hours (or even years) of work. But one question causes a lot of confusion for website owners.
Whose job is it to keep your backups safe — yours or your hosting provider’s?
The short answer? It depends — but in most cases, the ultimate responsibility lies with you.
Let’s break down what hosts typically offer, what they don’t, and how you can take control of your website’s safety.
Hosting Providers and Backups: What’s Typically Included?
Many web hosts offer backups, but the specifics vary widely based on the provider, the plan, and the type of hosting.
Some common scenarios:
- Shared Hosting: Many shared hosting providers include daily or weekly backups, but they’re often intended for internal disaster recovery — not guaranteed client access.
- Managed Hosting: These providers usually offer automated, frequent backups (daily or even hourly), and make them available via control panels.
- VPS or Dedicated Servers: Backups are rarely included unless explicitly configured. You’re expected to set up and manage your own solutions.
And even when backups are offered, there are limitations:
- Retention periods may be short (e.g., 3–7 days)
- Restores might cost extra
- Only select directories or databases might be covered
The key takeaway: host-provided backups are a bonus — not a substitute for your own system.
Common Misconceptions About Backups
“My host takes care of it, I don’t need to worry.”
This is one of the most dangerous assumptions. Even reputable providers can experience failures, human error, or missed backups.
“If something breaks, they’ll just restore it for me.”
Not always. Some hosts charge a fee to restore backups, while others only provide backups during major outages — not for user-side issues like a bad plugin update or deleted files.
“I checked once, so it’s fine.”
Backup strategies need regular testing. A backup that fails silently is worse than none at all — it gives a false sense of security.
Why You Should Always Keep Your Own Backups
Relying solely on your hosting provider means putting your website’s survival in someone else’s hands. By maintaining your own backups, you gain:
- Control: Choose how often to back up and where to store it.
- Redundancy: Multiple copies ensure one failure doesn’t wipe everything.
- Peace of Mind: Restore your site immediately, without waiting on support.
Best practices include:
- Using a backup plugin (for CMS platforms like WordPress) with off-site storage (Dropbox, Google Drive, S3).
- Scheduling backups daily (or more often for high-traffic or eCommerce sites).
- Periodically downloading backups manually and testing restore procedures.
Shared Responsibility: A Smarter Approach
In reality, website backups work best as a shared responsibility:
- Let your host provide a basic safety net.
- Take charge of your own backups for flexibility and faster recovery.
- Use automation where possible, but verify regularly.
Think of it like cloud storage for photos: your phone might sync to iCloud or Google Photos, but would you delete all your originals and trust one service forever? Probably not.
Your website is just as valuable — if not more.
Protect Your Digital Assets with Proactive Backups
Relying solely on your hosting provider’s backup features can be risky. Whether your website is a business, portfolio, e-commerce platform, or personal blog, having your own backup strategy is essential. Backups are more than just a technical chore—they’re a safeguard for your online presence. Don’t wait for a data loss or security breach to realize their importance. Act now to secure your site, and you’ll save yourself future headaches.
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