Use UpdraftPlus for website backup? You may want to switch!
Let me start by first saying that WA, the wonderful company that it is, does backups!
This post is not meant to say otherwise.
However, if you have been using the UpdraftPlus plugin for a local backup, then you may want to reconsider due to some issues that were recently brought to my attention.
Website Backup is Vital
Worry about having a full backup of your website in case you need to restore it for any reason can cause a lot of anxiety.
Can you imagine if something happened, and you lost all of your website content?!
Luckily, we don't need to worry about that here at WA with premium hosting.
If we need to restore our website, we can simply contact Site Support and ask for the backup!
However, if you've been using UpdraftPlus for a local backup, or perhaps for a website not hosted at WA, then read on to learn about my issues and what a better plugin option may be.
Switch to All-in-One WP Migration
Phil recently suggested the All-in-One WP Migration plugin for website backups. You can read his post here: https://my.wealthyaffiliate.com/phil1944/blog/backup-your-website
After trying it out myself, I think that AIO WP Migration is definitely a better option, especially for new websites!
Here's why...
I had been using UpdraftPlus for the past few months, but recently was receiving these ERRORS:
1. Google Drive: you need to re-authorize your connection to Google Drive. (easy fix, but annoying)
2. Site is visited infrequently: It won't backup successfully if the site doesn't have enough visitors! This is not good for new websites!!!
So anyone using UpdraftPlus - when you receive your backup email, read it! You may disregard it thinking it worked because you received the email, but the email may say "unsuccessful" when you open it!
The errors I received probably aren't an issue with more developed sites that are getting good traffic, but I wouldn't trust it as your backup plugin if it's for a new website.
I have now switched to the AIO WP Migration plugin that Phil recommended. I had it installed, activated, and my website exported to my hard drive (File) in 4 minutes.
There are about a dozen options for backup including File, which I did this time, Dropbox, Google Drive, and you can always save to a thumb drive for an offline backup.
Also, Phil didn't mention, and it maybe wasn't there at the time, but there is also a "backups" link under the "exports" and "imports" in the AIO WP Migration menu in the Dashboard. If you click on it, it will show you the backup, and the date.
Very user friendly, and I feel confident that if I lost my content, I could restore it.
If I have anything other than an excellent experience with using it, I will be sure to update this post.
That's all for today!
Happy writing, WA friends! (Back it up!)
Cris
P.S. AGAIN...
WA does backups! This is for those of you using the UpdraftPlus plugin as a local backup option, or for sites not hosted at WA.
Recent Comments
35
Hi Cris.
Thanks for this.
I use UpdraftPlus (Pro) but I've not had any of the issues you highlight. However, I couldn't get it to work with Google Drive and eventually gave up trying. Nowadays, I just FTP backups onto my local—a bit of a pain, but can't be helped.
I think I paid for a year's license, and I may be over my 30 day money-back guarantee, so I guess I'll be sticking to UpdraftPlus.
Anyway, I'm bookmarking this page and may return to it in the future if I become disheartened with UpdraftPlus.
Regards,
Hey Tayo!
It may not be an issue with the Pro option? Or maybe the site you use it on is more mature & seeing traffic?
I just know that I was using the free option on one of my newer sites (so no organic traffic yet), and I was receiving my email notifications as usual, stating that the backup had run...
But then the day I wrote this, I happened to actually open the email to scan the info, and INSIDE it said "unsuccessful."
Had I not opened the email, I would have assumed that it had run as normal, but as it turns out, it hadn't successfully backed up in about 3 weeks! That was when I received the "insufficient traffic" message. Weird huh?
Anyway, if it ain't broke, don't fix it, right? If it's working for you, great. If something funny happens, stop back here :-)
Have a good day!
Cris
I do vaguely remember (before I upgraded) some sort of similar issue, but it could be that you have successfully planted the idea in my mind. I don't receive any emails now at all, I just get a message on the screen telling me that the site has been backed up successfully.
I have restored the site from a backup before, so I assume that it's working; however, because of this post, I'll double check it once more just to be on the safe side.
Cheers.
I sort of disagree with Marion. My sites backup very regularly. Just checked, They're all backed up as of today's date.
I think Marion's saying that if you DON'T want the most recent backup, but a version days ago, prior to a mess up for example, then that would be gone.
But what about the situation where your website got messed up yesterday and they only have today's backup which is of the messed up website?
As far as I am aware, WA does not keep historical backups. So if you want your website restored to the state it was in last week (i.e. before it got messed up) then you'll want to have your own backup.
I'm still using Updraft Plus and WP Clone. All In One WP Migration free version doesn't restore large websites.
Ah, good thought, Marion on historical backup.
True, on the website size, though I think there's a go around.
And do you use UpdraftPlus on new sites? Have you ever noticed that the backups don't actually work because of various reasons?
My email straight up told me that it was unsuccessful due to not enough traffic. Weird huh?
There is a "go around" for people who are prepared to do a bit of hacking. I haven't created a video on it because, although it's legal to modify the code of a GPL licenced plugin, it could be considered immoral.
Thanks Marion great advice as always. (PS WA site support got me a back up from around 2-3 weeks ago) The issue apparently was with a "gremlin" in a paid theme I was using, not a hosting error. Cheers
Since it was mentioned...
I'm curious to know who has had to contact Site Support for a restore, and what was the outcome? Was it current? Was it complete? Did it restore correctly? Would be good to know!
I personally feel better about having a Plan B, hence the backup plugin to use my own device.
Please share any experiences!
I've done it and had no problems. They know what they're doing especially when it comes to things like this.
I have done it and got a back up from 2-3 weeks ago. Apparently I had an issue with a "Save" button that wouldn't work properly. They were able to get me going again without having to do a 100% rebuild. The issue was with the paid theme I was using, not a hosting issue.... but they were still able to get a me a workable solution - yeah!!
And were there backup options? As to mean you wanted to go back 2-3 weeks? Curious because Marion mentioned historical backups. Either way... SO great that WA includes these in our membership!!!
Thanks for the reference, Cris.
To me, the main test is how well does it restore and I have restored websites with 100% success using AiO WP Migration.
I also like keeping my backups on my own hard drive and the backup speed means I can backup whenever I create a long post that I'd be upset to lose.
Absolutely agree, Phil. The fact that you tested it was why I checked it out, and I like it so far. Seeing the backup on my own device is much better peace of mind.
Thank you.
See more comments
If your website is hosted here you don’t need to worry about back ups...every single website here is backed up and this service is included with the premium hosting. ;)
Hahaha...Thank you, Kyle! :-)
I made sure to edit my post a bit ago with a P.S. stating as much.
I have confidence in WA's system, and am surely grateful that backups are included!
There are many people using a plugin though for a local backup, and I think that UpdraftPlus is pretty popular.
This post is just meant to let those who are using UpdraftPlus (and thinking that it's working), know that it may not be.
Yes, but how frequently are backups taking?
I seem to recall reading somewhere that it is once a day.
With UpdraftPlus I get an automatic backup after each new installation of a plugin, change of theme or major update.