This article explains how Web60's backup infrastructure works to protect your website data.
How Automatic Backups Work
Web60 creates a complete copy of your website every day at 2:00 AM Irish time. This includes all your website files, images, WordPress database, and settings. The backup happens automatically - you don't need to do anything.
The system takes what's called a "snapshot" of your entire website. Think of it like taking a photograph of your website at that exact moment. If something goes wrong later, you can go back to that snapshot.
Backups run even when you're not using your website. The system works in the background without affecting your website's speed or performance.
Where Your Backups Are Stored
Your backup files are stored in two separate locations within Ireland. This means if one storage location has problems, your backups are still safe in the second location.
The backup storage uses enterprise-grade hardware with multiple layers of protection. Your backup files are encrypted (scrambled) so only you can access them through your Web60 account.
Each backup is checked automatically to make sure the files aren't corrupted (damaged). If a backup fails this check, the system tries again and sends you an email notification.
How Long We Keep Your Backups
Web60 keeps your backups according to this schedule:
- Daily backups: kept for 7 days
- Weekly backups: kept for 4 weeks
- Monthly backups: kept for 3 months
This means you can restore your website from yesterday, last week, or even from two months ago if needed. Older backups are automatically deleted to make room for new ones.
You can also create manual backups before making major changes to your website. These manual backups don't count toward the automatic deletion schedule.
Types of Restore Options
You can restore your entire website or just specific parts:
Full Site Restore: Replaces your entire website with the backup version. Use this if your website is completely broken or hacked.
File-Only Restore: Restores just your website files (pages, images, themes) but keeps your current database. Use this if you've accidentally deleted files but your content is fine.
Database-Only Restore: Restores just your WordPress database (posts, pages, settings) but keeps your current files. Use this if you've lost content but your design is fine.
The restore process takes between 5-30 minutes depending on your website size.
Monitoring and Notifications
Web60's backup system includes monitoring that checks:
- Whether each backup completed successfully
- If backup files are the right size (not too small, which might indicate missing data)
- Whether backup files can be opened and read properly
If any backup fails, the system automatically tries again. If it fails twice, you'll receive an email notification with details about what went wrong.
You can set up backup notifications to receive confirmation emails when backups complete successfully.
If you're still stuck or need help with restoring from a backup, contact our support team through your Web60 portal.
FAQ
Q: What time do automatic backups happen?
A: Automatic backups run every day at 2:00 AM Irish time. This timing ensures minimal impact on website performance during busy hours.
Q: Can I download my backup files to my computer?
A: Yes, you can download backup files through your Web60 portal. The files come as compressed ZIP archives that contain all your website data.
Q: Do backups include my email messages?
A: No, backups only include your website files and WordPress database. Email messages are stored separately and aren't included in website backups.
Q: What happens if I accidentally delete something today?
A: You can restore from yesterday's automatic backup, or create a manual backup before making changes. The restore process typically takes 10-15 minutes.
Q: Are my backups encrypted?
A: Yes, all backup files are encrypted both during transfer and while stored. Only your Web60 account can access and decrypt your backup files.
Q: Can I change when automatic backups happen?
A: Yes, you can customize backup timing through your Web60 portal. Choose any time between 12:00 AM and 6:00 AM to avoid peak traffic hours.
Q: How much storage space do backups use?
A: Backup storage is included with your Web60 service. Most small business websites use 1-5GB of backup storage, which is well within the included limits.
Last updated: 1 March 2026