This article explains the different types of backup files Web60 creates and what sizes you can expect.
Types of Backup Files
Full Website Backup
A full backup contains everything on your website. This includes your WordPress files, themes, plugins, uploaded images, and your database (which stores your pages, posts, and settings). Full backups are the most complete but also the largest files.
File extension: .tar.gz or .zip
Typical size: 500MB to 5GB (depending on your content)
Database-Only Backup
A database backup contains only your website's data - your pages, posts, comments, user accounts, and WordPress settings. It does not include images, themes, or plugins.
File extension: .sql
Typical size: 5MB to 100MB
Files-Only Backup
This backup contains all your website files (themes, plugins, images, WordPress core files) but not your database content.
File extension: .tar.gz or .zip
Typical size: 200MB to 4GB
What Affects Backup File Size
Images and Media Files
Photos and videos make up most of your backup size. A single high-resolution photo can be 5-10MB. If you have 100 photos, that's 500MB to 1GB just for images.
Plugins and Themes
Each WordPress plugin and theme adds to your backup size. Most plugins are small (1-10MB each), but some complex plugins can be 50-100MB.
Content Amount
More pages and blog posts increase your database backup size, but text content is very small compared to images.
Managing Large Backup Files
If your backups are very large (over 2GB), consider:
- Removing unused plugins and themes
- Deleting old images you no longer need
- Optimising your images before uploading
Downloading Backup Files
Large backup files take longer to create and download. A 1GB backup typically takes 5-10 minutes to generate and 10-30 minutes to download, depending on your internet speed.
For detailed steps on getting your backup files, see Downloading Your Backup Files.
If you're still stuck or have questions about your specific backup files, contact Web60 support through your portal.
FAQ
Q: Why is my backup file so large?
A: Large backup files usually contain many images or videos. Check how many photos you've uploaded to your website.
Q: Can I download just my database instead of the full backup?
A: Yes, you can create and download database-only backups which are much smaller and faster to download.
Q: How long should I wait for my backup to download?
A: Download time depends on file size and your internet speed. A 500MB backup typically takes 10-20 minutes on standard broadband.
Q: What's the difference between .tar.gz and .zip backup files?
A: Both are compressed file formats that contain the same content. .tar.gz files are usually slightly smaller but both work the same way.
Q: My backup file won't open - what's wrong?
A: Large backup files can appear corrupted if the download was interrupted. Try downloading again or contact support if the problem continues.
Q: Do I need to download full backups regularly?
A: Web60 keeps automatic backups for you, so you only need to download backups if you want your own copy or need to restore elsewhere.
Last updated: 1 March 2026