1. Understand what the backup system is
The hosting platform maintains backup copies independently of your live files. In GreatHosts CP you can browse multiple dated restore points and initiate restoration yourself.
2. Size backup capacity separately from retention
Backup capacity is the amount of account data the backup allocation can cover; restore-point history is how versions are retained over time. The verified standard shared plans show 10 GB backup, with additional backup capacity orderable in 20 GB increments. Companies Saver shows 100 GB included backup and Companies Medium 200 GB. Choose or expand backup capacity based on actual data, not on plan prestige.
- A growing company can add backup capacity without moving to VPS solely for email or file growth.
- Compare a smaller plan plus backup add-ons with a larger bundled plan before deciding value.
- Do not describe hosting backup as immutable regulatory email archiving.
3. Do not infer a fixed retention schedule
The visible account shows many restore points, including closely spaced recent versions and older versions. However, schedules/retention can differ by service and platform policy. Treat the dates shown in your account as the source of truth.
4. Restore deliberately
Before restoring, identify whether you need a single file, website files or a wider account state. Record the current state first when possible so recovery does not erase a newer valid change.
- Confirm the restore point timestamp.
- Understand what scope the Restore action covers.
- After restoration, test the site and database-dependent functions.
- If the problem is uncertain, contact support before overwriting a working state.
5. Use remote backup for another copy
GreatHosts CP supports remote backup workflows to Google Drive and Dropbox. An independent destination is useful for critical projects because it separates one copy from the hosting account itself.
6. Back up before risky changes
Take or verify a usable restore point before major CMS updates, migrations, bulk database changes, theme/plugin replacements or deployment of a large new release.
7. A backup is not validated until restore is possible
For important sites, periodically confirm that you can locate the expected data and understand the restore workflow. A backup label alone is not enough if nobody knows what it contains or how to recover it.
8. Keep application-level exports when useful
For databases or applications with their own export functions, an additional logical export can complement platform backups and make selective recovery easier.
Common questions
Are backups included?
Backups are included across the hosting plans confirmed for the current GreatHosts factual baseline.
Can I restore files myself?
Yes. The verified GreatHosts CP account exposes selectable restore points and a customer Restore action.
How many restore points are kept?
The live account shows many restore points, but this guide intentionally avoids promising a fixed number or schedule because retention can vary by service.
How much backup capacity is included?
The verified standard shared plans show 10 GB included backup and allow additional backup storage in 20 GB increments. Companies Saver shows 100 GB included backup and Companies Medium 200 GB. Retention/restore-point schedules are a separate matter and can vary.