You’ve spent months building your website—a stunning online shop in Lagos, a blog sharing tech tips in Abuja, or a portfolio showcasing your photography in Port Harcourt. Then, one day, it’s gone. A server crash, a hacker, or a simple mistake wipes it out. No warning, no second chances—unless you’ve got a backup. Backing up your website isn’t just a tech chore; it’s your safety net. But how do you do it right? Should you roll up your sleeves for manual backups or let tools like UpdraftPlus or Backblaze handle the heavy lifting? Let’s dive into the best practices, compare the options, and figure out what’s best for you in 2025.
Why Backing Up Your Website Is Non-Negotiable
Your website is your digital heartbeat—whether it’s driving sales, building your brand, or sharing your story. In Nigeria, where over 100 million people are online per Statista, it’s also your gateway to a massive audience. But things go wrong—hardware fails, cyberattacks spike (think ransomware), or you accidentally delete a key file. A Google study warns that 53% of mobile users ditch sites that take over 3 seconds to load—imagine losing them because your site’s down entirely. Backups mean you’re ready to bounce back, fast. So, how do you make it happen?
Best Practices for Website Backups
Before we compare tools, let’s nail the basics. These are the golden rules for keeping your site safe:
Follow the 3-2-1 Rule
The pros swear by this: keep three copies of your data, on two different devices, with one off-site. Your live site is one, a local backup (like on your laptop) is two, and a cloud copy (say, via Backblaze) is three. It’s simple but bulletproof.
Back Up Everything (Backing up your website)
Don’t skimp—grab your files (images, themes, plugins) and your database (posts, settings). Miss one, and your restore’s a mess. Tools like UpdraftPlus make this easy, but even manual backups need both.
Schedule Regular Backups
How often? Depends on your site. Daily for an e-commerce hustle with constant updates; weekly or monthly for a static blog. The more changes, the tighter the schedule.
Test Your Backups
A backup’s useless if it doesn’t work. Restore it to a test site now and then—trust me, you don’t want to find out it’s corrupt when panic hits.
Store Securely
Local drives can crash; cloud storage adds redundancy. Encrypt sensitive data—tools like Backblaze offer this out of the box.
Manual Backups: The DIY Approach (Backing up your website)
Manual backups are like cooking from scratch—you control every step. Here’s how it works:
How to Do It
- Files: Use FTP (like FileZilla) to download your site’s root folder—everything in public_html if you’re on cPanel.
- Database: Log into phpMyAdmin via your hosting panel, export your database as an SQL file.
- Storage: Save it to your laptop, an external drive, or upload to Google Drive.
Pros
- Total Control: You decide what’s backed up and when.
- No Cost: Free if you skip paid tools—just your time.
- No iddleman: No plugin or service to trust.
Cons
- Time Sink: Even a small site takes 30 minutes; big ones, hours.
- Error-Prone: Miss a file or forget a step, and it’s incomplete.
- No Automation: You’re on the hook to remember—miss a day, and you’re exposed.
A Cloudwards guide walks through this—it’s doable but tedious. For a one-man show with a static site, it might work. For a busy business? You’ll feel the strain.
Automated Solutions: UpdraftPlus vs. Backblaze
Now, let’s talk set-it-and-forget-it options. Automated tools like UpdraftPlus (for WordPress) and Backblaze (for broader backups) take the wheel. How do they stack up?
UpdraftPlus: WordPress Wizard
UpdraftPlus is a plugin juggernaut—over 3 million installs, per WordPress.org. It’s built for WordPress sites, handling files and databases with ease.
How It Works
- Install it, set a schedule (hourly to monthly), and pick a cloud spot—Dropbox, Google Drive, or even Backblaze B2.
- It grabs your whole site—files, database, plugins—and stores it off-site.
- Restore with a click from your dashboard.
Costs
Free: Basic manual backups and one cloud option.
Premium: $70/year for automation, multiple storage, and extras like incremental backups (just changed files).
Pros
- WordPress-Tailored: Perfect fit for Nigeria’s WP-heavy market.
- Flexible: Tons of storage options, easy restores.
- Affordable: Free tier works; premium’s a steal.
Cons
- WordPress Only: No love for non-WP sites.
- Setup Needed: Simple, but you’ve got to configure it.
A TeamUpdraft post raves about its reliability—ideal for bloggers or e-commerce pros who live in WordPress.
Backblaze: Cloud Backup Beast
Backblaze is broader—it’s not just for websites but your whole digital life. It’s a cloud backup service with unlimited storage, loved for simplicity.
How It Works
- Install the desktop app, and it auto-backs up your computer—site files included if they’re local.
- For websites, you’d back up your hosting folder or sync via Backblaze B2 (cloud storage).
- Restore via web or mailed drive.
Costs
- Personal Backup:$9/month for unlimited storage, one device.
- B2 Cloud Storage:$6/TB/month—pair with UpdraftPlus for site-specific backups.
Pros
- Unlimited Storage: Back up everything, not just your site.
- Hands-Off: Runs silently, no fuss.
- Secure: Encrypted, with private key options.
Cons
Not Site-Specific: Needs extra steps for web-only backups.
Device Limit: One PC per plan—multi-device users pay more.
A Backblaze review calls it the “easiest” cloud backup—great if your site’s part of a bigger data pile.
Manual vs. Automated: What’s Your Pick?
- Manual: Best for tech-savvy folks with small, static sites and time to spare. You save cash but invest sweat. Risky if you’re forgetful or busy.
- UpdraftPlus: King for WordPress users—affordable, targeted, and low-effort. Perfect for Nigeria’s WP crowd (think bloggers, SMEs).
- Backblaze: Ideal for broader needs—back up your site, laptop, everything. Pricier but unbeatable for big data or multi-device setups.
Time’s your decider. Manual works if you’ve got hours; automated shines for efficiency. A PCMag guide leans toward automation—less room for human error, more peace of mind.
Mixing It Up: Hybrid Approach
Why choose? Pair manual and automated for max safety. Run UpdraftPlus daily, then grab a manual backup monthly—store one locally, one in the cloud. It’s the 3-2-1 rule in action, covering all bases.
Conclusion: Secure Your Site with Lead Web Praxis Media Limited
Backing up your website costs time or money—manual backups start free but eat hours; automated tools like UpdraftPlus ($0-$70/year) or Backblaze ($9/month) save effort for a fee. It’s not just about cost—it’s about keeping your business alive in Nigeria’s digital jungle. Whether you’re dodging downtime or fighting off hacks, a solid backup plan is your shield. But picking the right approach? That’s where pros shine.
Lead Web Praxis Media Limited. We’re not just techies—we’re your backup gurus, crafting plans that fit your site, budget, and goals. From manual setups to automated rollouts with UpdraftPlus or Backblaze, we’ve got you. Don’t risk it—contact Lead Web Praxis Media Limited today. Let’s build a backup strategy that’s rock-solid and all yours—your site’s future depends on it!
