Don’t Make These 7 WordPress Backup Mistakes (They Could Cost You Clients)

Managing multiple WordPress sites involves many critical tasks, but there’s one that’s often underestimated… until it’s too late: backups.

Although it may seem basic, many professionals make mistakes that not only compromise the site but also damage their client relationships. A poorly executed backup can turn into a true nightmare: crashed websites, lost hours of work, and urgent calls at all hours.

If you’re in web maintenance or manage several WordPress sites, these mistakes can cost you. Avoid them before they become an emergency.

1. Only backing up the database

Many think that backing up the database is enough. But in practice, that’s only one part of the puzzle. What about custom themes, plugins, images, and unique configurations?

A website can’t be rebuilt with just the database. If multimedia content or custom design is missing, your client will see a mess instead of their site.

✔ Tip: Make sure to include everything: files, configurations, uploads, and custom settings. A backup should be a full snapshot of the site.

2. Storing backups on the same server

This mistake is more common than it should be. Storing backups on the same server as the live site is like keeping your spare keys inside your car… and then locking it.

If the server crashes, gets hacked, or your hosting account is suspended, you lose both the site and the backup in one go.

✔ Tip: Use external storage—cloud services or dedicated backup servers—to ensure redundancy.

Did you know?

Over 60% of WordPress sites that suffer a critical failure have no recent or functional backup. This shows how dangerous it is to rely on incomplete or misconfigured systems.

3. Not testing if backups work

Just having backups doesn’t guarantee they work. Many administrators discover their backups are corrupted right when they need them most.

✔ Tip: Regularly check that your backups are complete, error-free, and accessible. Perform real restoration tests at least once a month.

4. Automating without validating the setup

Automation is necessary, but if it’s not properly configured, it’s worse than nothing. Backups that run during peak traffic, inaccessible paths, or bad permissions are common errors.

✔ Tip: Customize automation based on each site’s traffic and structure. Always verify logs and enable alerts for failed jobs.

5. Skipping backups before updates

Updating WordPress, plugins, or themes without a prior backup is a recipe for disaster. One minor conflict could break the entire site.

✔ Tip: Always back up before updates. Automate this if possible, and make sure you have a rollback plan in place.

6. Not keeping older versions

Many backup tools only keep the latest copy. But what if the issue happened three days ago and you just found out?

✔ Tip: Set up a smart retention policy. Keep multiple historical versions to safeguard against delayed errors or hidden malware.

7. Never testing the restore process under pressure

Having backups but not knowing how to restore quickly is almost like not having them at all. Have you timed how long it takes to restore a full site?

✔ Tip: Practice restoring as part of your regular maintenance. Measure recovery time and document each step.

Conclusion: avoid mistakes, protect your reputation

Backups are not just a technical necessity—they’re your professional safety net.

That’s why at Modular DS we’ve created a solution designed specifically for professionals who manage multiple WordPress sites.

If you want to stop worrying about these errors and offer your clients professional-grade maintenance, try Modular DS for free.

By the way, we also have a great article comparing backup plugins—check it out here: comparison of the best backup plugins for WordPress.

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