This article explains how automatic backups work on Web60 and what happens to your website files and data.
How Automatic Backups Work
Web60 creates a complete copy of your WordPress website every day at 2:00 AM Irish time. This backup includes:
- All your website files (pages, images, plugins, themes)
- Your database (posts, comments, user accounts, settings)
- Email accounts and messages
- Any custom files you've uploaded
The backup process runs automatically. You don't need to do anything or remember to start it.
Backup Storage and Retention
Web60 keeps your backups for 30 days. This means you can restore your website to any point within the last month.
Backups are stored on separate servers from your main website. If something happens to your website server, your backups remain safe.
The newest backup replaces the oldest one each day. So on day 31, the backup from day 1 gets deleted when the new backup is created.
What Triggers a Backup
Backups happen automatically every night, regardless of whether you've made changes to your website. Even if you haven't updated anything, a backup still runs.
The system doesn't create extra backups when you make changes during the day. If you update your website at 3:00 PM, those changes will be included in the next morning's 2:00 AM backup.
Backup Size and Website Performance
Large websites with many images or files take longer to backup, but this doesn't affect your website's speed during the day. The backup process uses minimal server resources.
Backups happen while most Irish websites have low traffic (early morning), so visitors won't notice any slowdown.
How to Restore from a Backup
You cannot restore backups yourself through a control panel. To restore your website:
- Contact Web60 support through your client area
- Specify which date you want to restore to
- Confirm that you understand recent changes will be lost
- Support will restore the backup within 2-4 hours during business hours
When you restore a backup, everything on your website returns to exactly how it was on that date. Any posts, comments, or changes made after the backup date will be permanently lost.
Backup Limitations
Automatic backups cover your website and email, but they don't include:
- Files you've stored outside your website directory
- External services connected to your website (like Google Analytics)
- Domain name settings or DNS records
If you're still stuck or need to restore a backup, contact support through your Web60 client area with your specific requirements.
FAQ
Q: Can I download my own backup files?
A: No, backup files are stored on Web60's servers and cannot be downloaded directly. Contact support if you need files restored or extracted from a backup.
Q: Do backups run if my website is down?
A: Yes, backups will still run even if your website is experiencing problems or is temporarily offline.
Q: What happens if I accidentally delete important files?
A: Contact support immediately to restore files from the most recent backup. The sooner you report it, the more recent the available backup will be.
Q: Can I restore just one page instead of my whole website?
A: No, backups restore your entire website to the selected date. Individual pages or files cannot be restored separately.
Q: Do I get notified when backups complete?
A: No, you don't receive notifications about successful backups. Contact support if you suspect backups aren't working properly.
Q: Can I change when backups run?
A: No, all Web60 backups run at 2:00 AM Irish time and this schedule cannot be changed.
Q: What if I need backups kept longer than 30 days?
A: Standard hosting includes 30-day backup retention. Contact support to discuss your specific requirements if you need longer retention.
Last updated: 1 March 2026