Running a WordPress site for your info-product business—whether you’re selling courses, downloads, coaching, consulting, communities, or summits—requires more than just great content and marketing. You need a reliable backup and recovery strategy to protect your business from unexpected disasters like hacks, server crashes, or human errors. In this post, we’ll walk you through why backups are non-negotiable, how to set them up effectively, and what to do when recovery becomes necessary. Let’s keep your business safe and thriving.
Why Backup and Recovery Matter
Your WordPress site is the heart of your info-product business. It’s where your course materials live, your customers log in, and your payments are processed. Without a backup and recovery plan, one mishap could erase your hard work or halt your sales, damaging your revenue and reputation.
- Protect Your Content: Losing course videos, summit recordings, or downloadable files could set you back months. Backups ensure you can restore them fast.
- Safeguard Customer Data: Info like consulting schedules or community memberships is critical. Backups prevent permanent loss.
- Minimize Downtime: Quick recovery keeps your site running, so coaching bookings or product downloads aren’t interrupted.
- Build Trust: Customers rely on you to deliver. A solid recovery plan proves you’re prepared, strengthening their confidence.
For info-product sellers, backups are a must-have shield against chaos.
How to Back Up Your WordPress Site
There are three main ways to back up your WordPress site: manual backups, plugins, and hosting provider services. Here’s how they work and which might suit your business best.
Manual Backups
This method involves downloading your site’s files and database yourself.
- How It Works: Use FTP (like FileZilla) to grab your site files and phpMyAdmin to export your database.
- Pros: Full control, no extra tools needed.
- Cons: Time-consuming and easy to skip.
Best For: Small sites or as a backup to other methods.
Backup Plugins
Plugins automate backups, saving you time and effort.
- Top Options: UpdraftPlus, BackupBuddy, Duplicator.
- Features: Schedule backups, store them off-site (e.g., Google Drive, Dropbox), and restore easily.
- Pros: Simple and reliable.
- Cons: May slow your site if not optimized.
Best For: Most info-product businesses, especially with frequent updates like course launches.
Hosting Provider Backups
Many hosts include backup tools in their plans.
- Examples: WP Engine, SiteGround, Kinsta.
- Pros: Built-in and hassle-free.
- Cons: Less flexibility in timing or storage.
Best For: Sellers who want simplicity and trust their host.
Tip: Combine plugin-based backups with your host’s service for double protection.
Where to Store Your Backups
Creating backups is only half the battle—storing them safely is key. If they’re on the same server as your site, a crash could wipe out both.
- Off-Site Storage: Use cloud platforms like Google Drive, Amazon S3, or Dropbox.
- External Drives: Keep copies on a hard drive or USB, stored securely.
- Versioning: Save multiple backups (e.g., daily, weekly) to roll back to different points if needed.
Action: Set up off-site storage and keep at least three backup versions.
Building a Recovery Plan
Backups are useless without a plan to restore them. A recovery plan ensures you act fast and avoid mistakes in a crisis.
Key Steps in a Recovery Plan
- Diagnose the Problem: Is it a hack, server issue, or accidental deletion?
- Grab Your Backup: Pick the latest clean version.
- Restore the Site: Use your plugin, host tools, or manual method to rebuild.
- Test Everything: Confirm course access, payment gateways, and downloads work.
- Secure the Site: Update passwords or fix vulnerabilities if needed.
Action: Write your plan and store it somewhere safe, like a password manager.
Testing Your Backups
A backup you can’t restore is no backup at all. Testing confirms your process works.
- How to Test: Restore a backup to a staging site and check features like customer logins or summit pages.
- When to Test: Quarterly or after big changes (e.g., new course launch).
Action: Test your backups this month and schedule regular checks.
Automating Your Backups
Manual backups are easy to forget, especially during busy times. Automation keeps you covered.
- Schedule It: Daily for active sites (e.g., communities) or weekly for quieter ones.
- Check Results: Pick a plugin that alerts you if backups fail.
- Retention: Keep backups for 30 days minimum, adjusting as needed.
Action: Set up automatic backups with success notifications.
Handling Recovery Scenarios
Different problems need tailored fixes. Here’s how to recover from common issues in an info-product business.
Site Hack
- Signs: Strange content, login issues, or odd files.
- Fix: Restore a pre-hack backup, update passwords, add a security plugin (e.g., Wordfence).
Server Crash
- Signs: Site won’t load.
- Fix: Contact your host, then restore from your latest backup if necessary.
Human Error
- Signs: Deleted course pages or customer records.
- Fix: Restore just the affected parts from a recent backup.
Action: Review these scenarios and add them to your recovery plan.
Wrap-Up
Your WordPress info-product business deserves protection. With automated backups, secure storage, and a tested recovery plan, you can weather any storm—whether it’s a hack, crash, or mistake. Don’t leave it to chance—start building your backup strategy today. Need expert help? At OptSites, we specialize in securing WordPress sites for info-product sellers like you.
Reach out now to lock down your business!