Backups and restores: questions every host should answer clearly
Short answer: A backup you cannot restore is not a backup—ask retention, frequency, and how restores are requested before you need them at 9 pm.
NZ SMEs discover backup gaps after an update goes wrong, a site is compromised, or someone deletes the wrong folder. Clarify expectations in writing.
Questions to ask any host
- How often are snapshots taken, and how long are they kept?
- Are database and files both included?
- Self-service restore vs ticket queue—and typical turnaround.
- Off-site copies if the datacenter has a bad day.
Your responsibilities
Maintain your own periodic exports for WordPress (files + database) stored elsewhere—especially before risky updates. Test a restore on staging once a year.
RTO and RPO in plain English
How fast must you be back online (RTO), and how much data loss is tolerable (RPO)? Answers drive how often you snapshot and how you monitor.
Frequently asked questions
Are plugins enough for WordPress backups?
They can be—if outputs are stored off-server and restores are tested. Do not rely on a single copy on the same disk.
What about “unlimited” backups?
Read limits and exclusions. Marketing language rarely matches incident reality.