This article explains how to create a backup snapshot of your website before making updates to protect against any issues.
Why Create Pre-Update Snapshots
When you update WordPress themes or plugins, there's always a small chance something could break on your website. A snapshot is a backup taken at a specific moment in time. Creating one before updates means you can quickly restore your site if anything goes wrong.
Web60 creates automatic daily backups, but these might not capture your site right before you make changes. A manual snapshot gives you an exact restore point.
Creating Your Pre-Update Snapshot
Step 1: Log Into Your Web60 Portal
Go to your Web60 portal and sign in with your account details. If you need help accessing this, read Understanding Your Web60 Portal.
Step 2: Find the Backup Section
Once logged in, look for "Backups" in your dashboard menu. Click on this section to see your backup options.
Step 3: Create Manual Backup
Click "Create Manual Backup" or "Take Snapshot Now". You'll see a form asking for details about this backup.
Give your backup a clear name like "Before Plugin Update - [Today's Date]" or "Before Theme Change - January 2024". This makes it easy to find later.
Add a description explaining what you're about to do, such as "Before updating contact form plugin" or "Before installing new theme".
Step 4: Start the Backup Process
Click "Create Backup" to start the process. The backup will take a few minutes to complete, depending on your website size.
You'll see a progress indicator showing the backup status. Don't close your browser window during this time.
Step 5: Confirm Backup Completion
Once finished, you'll see your new backup listed with the name and date you specified. The status should show "Complete" or "Ready".
Making Your Updates Safely
With your snapshot created, you can now safely update your plugins, themes, or make other changes to your website.
Update one thing at a time rather than everything at once. This makes it easier to identify what caused any problems.
Check your website immediately after each update to make sure everything still works properly.
What to Do If Something Goes Wrong
If your update causes issues, you can restore from your pre-update snapshot. The process is covered in detail in How to Restore Your Website from a Backup.
Remember that restoring will remove any changes made after the backup was created.
If you're still stuck, contact Web60 support through your portal. Include details about what you were updating when the problem occurred.
FAQ
Q: How long do manual backups take to create?
A: Most manual backups complete within 5-10 minutes, depending on your website size and the amount of content you have.
Q: How many manual backups can I create?
A: You can create multiple manual backups, but older ones may be automatically removed to save storage space. Keep only the backups you actively need.
Q: Can I create a backup while visitors are using my website?
A: Yes, creating backups doesn't affect your live website. Visitors can continue using your site normally during the backup process.
Q: Do manual backups include my email accounts?
A: Manual backups focus on your website files and database. Email accounts are handled separately through your hosting control panel.
Q: How is this different from automatic daily backups?
A: Automatic backups happen at set times each day, while manual backups let you choose the exact moment to capture your site's current state.
Q: Can I download my manual backup to my computer?
A: Yes, you can download backup files to store locally on your computer for extra security.
Q: What should I do if the backup fails to create?
A: Try creating the backup again after a few minutes. If it continues failing, contact support as there may be a technical issue requiring assistance.
Last updated: 1 March 2026