Regular backups protect your website from data loss due to accidental deletion, hacking, or server issues.
Manual Backup via DirectAdmin
- Log in to DirectAdmin.
- Navigate to Account Manager > Create/Restore Backups.
- Select what to include: home directory, databases, email, and/or DNS settings.
- Click Create Backup.
- Once complete, download the backup file to your local computer.
Automated Backups
You can schedule automatic backups using cron jobs in DirectAdmin:
- Go to Advanced Features > Cron Jobs.
- Set the schedule (daily or weekly recommended).
- Configure the backup command with your preferred destination.
What to Back Up
- Website files (
public_htmldirectory) - MySQL databases
- Email accounts and messages
- DNS zone files
- SSL certificates
Important: Always store backups in a separate location from your hosting account (local computer, cloud storage, or remote FTP). If the server has an issue, you'll still have your data safe.
We also perform server-level backups, but we strongly recommend maintaining your own copies for maximum protection.