Why Automatic Website Backups on Shared Hosting Matter More Than You Think
If you run a website on shared hosting, your site data is one of your most valuable business assets. A single plugin conflict, a hacking attempt, or even an accidental file deletion can wipe out months or years of work in seconds.
The good news? Setting up automatic website backups on shared hosting does not require advanced technical skills. In this guide, we walk you through the exact process, from using built-in cPanel tools to scheduling backups and storing them safely off-site. By the end, you will have a reliable, hands-free backup system protecting your website around the clock.
What Are Automatic Website Backups?
Automatic website backups are scheduled copies of your entire website, including files, folders, databases, emails, and configurations. Unlike manual backups, they run on a set schedule without any human input. Once configured, they work quietly in the background, creating restore points you can fall back on if something goes wrong.
On shared hosting plans, automatic backups typically include:
- Website files (HTML, CSS, PHP, images, media uploads)
- Databases (MySQL databases that power your CMS, like WordPress)
- Email accounts and forwarders
- cPanel settings and configurations
Do Shared Hosting Providers Include Automatic Backups?
Some do, but the level of backup service varies widely. Here is a quick comparison of what popular shared hosting providers offer as of 2026:
| Hosting Provider | Automatic Backups Included? | Frequency | Retention |
|---|---|---|---|
| SiteGround | Yes (all plans) | Daily | Up to 37 days |
| DreamHost | Yes (all plans) | Daily | Varies |
| Hostinger | Premium plans only | Daily/Weekly | Varies by plan |
| A2 Hosting | Yes (most plans) | Daily | Varies |
| GoDaddy | Paid add-on | Daily | Varies |
| Namecheap | AutoBackup on premium shared | Daily, Weekly, Monthly | Varies |
| InMotion Hosting | Yes (Backup Manager plugin) | Daily | Varies |
Important: Even if your host provides automatic backups, you should never rely solely on them. Hosting providers clearly state in their terms of service that backups are provided as a courtesy and are not guaranteed. That is exactly why setting up your own automatic backups is essential.
Step-by-Step: Setting Up Automatic Website Backups on Shared Hosting
Below, we cover the three most common and effective methods for configuring automatic backups on a shared hosting account. Choose the one that fits your setup best, or combine multiple methods for maximum protection.
Method 1: Using the cPanel Backup Tools
Most shared hosting plans include cPanel, which offers built-in backup functionality. Here is how to use it.
Step 1: Log Into cPanel
- Go to your hosting provider’s login page or access cPanel directly (usually at
yourdomain.com/cpaneloryourdomain.com:2083). - Enter your username and password.
Step 2: Locate the Backup Section
- In the cPanel dashboard, scroll down to the Files section.
- You will see options like Backup, Backup Wizard, or JetBackup (depending on your host).
Step 3: Create a Full Backup
- Click on Backup or Backup Wizard.
- Select Full Backup to create a complete snapshot of your website files, databases, email accounts, and settings.
- Choose a backup destination: Home Directory, Remote FTP Server, or Remote SCP Server (more on remote storage below).
- Enter your email address to receive a notification when the backup completes.
- Click Generate Backup.
Step 4: Schedule Automatic Backups Using Cron Jobs
cPanel’s default backup tool does not have a built-in scheduler on most shared hosting plans. However, you can automate it using Cron Jobs:
- In cPanel, go to Advanced and click on Cron Jobs.
- Set the schedule (for example, daily at 3:00 AM when traffic is low).
- In the command field, enter the appropriate backup script or command provided by your hosting documentation.
- Click Add New Cron Job.
Note: Some shared hosting providers restrict certain cron job commands. If that is the case, Method 2 or Method 3 below may be a better option for you.
Method 2: Using JetBackup (If Available on Your Host)
Many shared hosting providers now include JetBackup as a cPanel plugin. It offers a much more user-friendly experience for automatic backups.
- In cPanel, look for the JetBackup icon under the Files section.
- Click on it to open the JetBackup interface.
- You will see available backup snapshots organized by date.
- To restore, simply select a backup point and choose what to restore (full account, files only, databases only, or emails only).
- JetBackup runs on a schedule configured by your host, typically creating daily automatic backups with retention periods of 7 to 30 days.
If your host uses JetBackup, your automatic backups may already be running. Check with your hosting provider to confirm the schedule and retention settings.
Method 3: Using a WordPress Backup Plugin (For WordPress Sites)
If your shared hosting site runs on WordPress, a backup plugin gives you the most control over scheduling and remote storage. Here are the most reliable options in 2026:
| Plugin | Free Version? | Scheduled Backups | Remote Storage Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| UpdraftPlus | Yes | Yes (free) | Google Drive, Dropbox, Amazon S3, others |
| BlogVault | No (paid) | Yes | BlogVault cloud, others |
| BackWPup | Yes | Yes (free) | Dropbox, Amazon S3, FTP, others |
| Jetp Backup (WP plugin) | Free tier | Yes | Jetpack cloud |
How to Set Up UpdraftPlus (Example Walkthrough)
UpdraftPlus is the most popular free option. Here is exactly how to configure it:
- Log into your WordPress dashboard.
- Go to Plugins > Add New and search for UpdraftPlus.
- Click Install Now, then Activate.
- Navigate to Settings > UpdraftPlus Backups.
- Click the Settings tab.
- Under Files Backup Schedule, select your preferred frequency (Daily is recommended for active sites).
- Under Database Backup Schedule, also select Daily.
- Set the number of backups to retain (we recommend keeping at least 7 to 14).
- Choose a remote storage destination (Google Drive, Dropbox, or Amazon S3).
- Follow the on-screen prompts to authenticate your storage account.
- Click Save Changes.
- Click Backup Now to run your first manual backup and confirm everything works.
From this point forward, UpdraftPlus will automatically back up your website files and database on the schedule you configured, sending copies to your chosen remote storage.
Choosing the Right Backup Schedule
The best backup frequency depends on how often your website content changes. Use this guide:
- Daily backups: Best for blogs, WooCommerce stores, membership sites, or any site updated frequently.
- Weekly backups: Suitable for brochure-style business sites with occasional updates.
- Monthly backups: Only appropriate for completely static sites that rarely change.
Our recommendation: When in doubt, choose daily. Storage is cheap, and the peace of mind is worth it.
Where to Store Your Automatic Backups (Remote Storage Destinations)
Storing backups on the same server as your website defeats the purpose. If the server fails, you lose both your site and your backups. Always use a remote storage destination.
Here are the best options for shared hosting users:
- Google Drive: Free up to 15 GB. Easy to connect with most backup plugins.
- Dropbox: Free tier available. Widely supported by backup tools.
- Amazon S3: Very affordable cloud storage. Best for larger sites with lots of media files.
- Remote FTP/SFTP server: Ideal if you have access to a second hosting account or a dedicated backup server.
- OneDrive: Another free cloud option supported by several plugins.
For the best protection, consider storing backups in two separate locations. For example, Google Drive and an external hard drive you download to monthly.
Best Practices for Automatic Website Backups on Shared Hosting
Setting up the backup is only half the battle. Follow these best practices to make sure your backups are actually useful when you need them:
- Test your backups regularly. At least once every few months, try restoring a backup to a staging environment to verify it works.
- Keep multiple backup copies. Retain at least 7 to 14 days of backups so you can go back to a clean version if a problem went undetected for several days.
- Use remote storage. Never store backups only on your shared hosting server.
- Monitor backup notifications. Set up email alerts so you know immediately if a scheduled backup fails.
- Backup before major changes. Always create a manual backup before updating plugins, themes, or your CMS core.
- Encrypt sensitive backups. If your site handles customer data, consider encrypting backup files before storing them in the cloud.
- Document your backup process. Write down your backup schedule, storage locations, and restoration steps so anyone on your team can handle a recovery.
What to Do When You Need to Restore a Backup
Having backups is only valuable if you know how to restore them. Here is a quick overview of the restoration process for each method:
Restoring via cPanel / JetBackup
- Log into cPanel.
- Open JetBackup or the Backup tool.
- Select the backup date you want to restore.
- Choose to restore the full account, specific files, or specific databases.
- Confirm and wait for the restoration to complete.
Restoring via UpdraftPlus
- Log into your WordPress dashboard.
- Go to Settings > UpdraftPlus Backups.
- Find the backup you want to restore in the Existing Backups list.
- Click Restore.
- Select which components to restore (plugins, themes, uploads, database, other).
- Click Restore again and wait for the process to finish.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Relying only on your host’s backups. Hosting providers may not guarantee backup availability or may only keep backups for a few days.
- Storing backups on the same server. If the server crashes, your backups go down with it.
- Never testing your backups. A backup that cannot be restored is useless.
- Forgetting the database. Your website files are only part of the picture. The database contains all your content, settings, and user data. Always include it.
- Setting and forgetting. Check your backup logs monthly to confirm everything is still running as expected.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I back up my website on shared hosting?
For most small business websites, daily automatic backups are the best choice. If your site changes very rarely, weekly backups can work, but daily is safer and the storage cost is minimal.
Are the free backups from my hosting provider enough?
They are a helpful safety net, but they should not be your only line of defense. Hosting providers like SiteGround, DreamHost, and A2 Hosting do offer daily automatic backups, but their terms of service typically state these are not guaranteed. Always maintain your own independent backups.
Can I set up automatic backups on shared hosting without cPanel?
Yes. If your host uses a different control panel (like Plesk or a custom dashboard), check for built-in backup tools. Alternatively, use a WordPress backup plugin like UpdraftPlus or BackWPup, which work independently of your hosting control panel.
What is the best remote storage for website backups?
Google Drive and Dropbox are the easiest options for beginners. Amazon S3 is more cost-effective for larger sites. The best approach is to use at least one cloud-based remote storage destination that is separate from your hosting server.
Will automatic backups slow down my shared hosting site?
Backups can temporarily use server resources. To minimize impact, schedule your automatic backups during off-peak hours (such as 2:00 AM to 5:00 AM in your visitors’ primary time zone). Most backup plugins let you set the exact time.
How much storage do I need for website backups?
It depends on your website size. A typical small business WordPress site might be 500 MB to 2 GB. If you keep 14 daily backups, you would need roughly 7 to 28 GB of storage. Google Drive’s free 15 GB is often enough for smaller sites.
How do I know if my automatic backup is working?
Enable email notifications in your backup tool or plugin. Also, log into your remote storage periodically to confirm new backup files are appearing on schedule. We recommend checking at least once a month.
Final Thoughts
Setting up automatic website backups on shared hosting is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your online business. Whether you use cPanel’s built-in tools, JetBackup, or a WordPress plugin like UpdraftPlus, the process takes less than 30 minutes and can save you from days or weeks of downtime and data loss.
Do not wait until something goes wrong. Set up your automatic backups today, test them, and rest easy knowing your website data is safe.
Need help configuring backups or choosing the right shared hosting plan for your business? Contact our team at Custom Web Promotions and we will get you set up quickly and correctly.