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Ensuring the security and continuity of your Webflow site is essential to avoid losses of content or functionality due to errors, cyberattacks, or technical problems.
This guide to our webflow agency in France explains to you concretely and step by step how to effectively back up and restore your Webflow site.
Why back up your Webflow Site?
A backup is a copy of your site that allows you to restore an earlier version in case of problems. Without backup, you risk losing hours of work, compromising your online image, and even financial losses if your site is a source of income.
The benefits of a backup:
- Fast food in case of problems : a bug or error can be fixed in a few clicks.
- Risk-free experimentation : test new ideas without worrying about losing your content.
- Protection against the unexpected : cyberattacks, accidental deletions or malfunctions.
Step 1: Understanding Webflow Automated Backups
Webflow automatically creates backups of your site at regular intervals. These automatic backups guarantee basic security and are carried out:
- After each publication of the site.
- Every hour while working in the editor.
However, these automatic backups may not be enough if you want to secure a specific version or before making major changes. Hence the importance of creating personalized backups.
Step 2: Create a Backup on your Webflow site
1. Access your Project
- Log in to your Webflow account.
- Select the project you want to save.
2. Use the Keyboard Shortcut
- On Mac : use
Command + Shift + S. - On PC : use
Ctrl + Shift + S.
3. Name and Save the Backup
A pop-up opens where you can name your backup. Use descriptive names that indicate the date or nature of the changes (for example: “Save before redesigning the home page — 22/11/2024").
- Click on “Save” to validate.
4. Verify the backup
To view your backups, go to:
- Project Settings → Backups.
- You will see a chronological list of your backups.
Step 3: Restore a Backed Up Version
In the event of a problem (design error, deleted content, etc.), you can quickly restore an earlier version of your site.
1. Access Backups
- From your Webflow dashboard, open the project concerned.
- Go in Project Settings → Backups.
2. Preview a backup
If you have multiple backups and don't know which one to restore:
- Click on “Preview” to show the exact version of the site at that time.
3. Restore the backup
- Once the correct version has been identified, click “Restore”.
- Webflow will warn you that restoring may result in changes to iDS Collection (important if you use tools like Zapier or Make).
- Click on “Restore Anyway” to confirm.
4. Verify your site
Once the restore is complete, Webflow displays the message: “Version restored successfully”. Go back to the Designer to confirm that everything is in order.
Step 4: Best Practices for Managing Backups
1. Schedule Regular Backups
- Save after every major update or important release.
- Create manual backups before editing key sections or experimenting with new designs.
2. Organize your Backups
- Adopt a clear naming convention to find your backups quickly (e.g.:
Date + Type of change). - Remove unnecessary backups to avoid duplicates.
3. Verify Automations
- If you use automated workflows with tools like Zapier, check the iDS Collection after a restoration. Workflows may need to be updated.
4. Store External Copies
- Export a static version of your site and save it locally or on a cloud service (Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.). This step is especially useful for critical projects.
Step 5: Resolve Common Problems
1. Corrupt or Incomplete Backup
- Make sure your internet connection is stable when creating the backup.
- Try creating a new manual backup.
2. Restoration that fails
- Check your internet connection.
- If the problem persists, contact Webflow support by providing the details (error message, time, version).
Step 6: When and How to Restore in Case of a Problem
When restoration is required:
- Accidental deletion of a page or section.
- Malfunction after an update.
- Site compromised following a cyberattack.
Before restoring:
- Precisely identify the problem.
- Note any recent changes so you don't lose adjustments made after saving.
Advanced Steps to Manage Webflow Backups
1. Create Manual Backups Before Every Major Change
Webflow automatically generates backups, but their frequency may not be enough in some situations. Before publishing new content or editing a critical page, create a manual backup. This gives you total control over which versions are available.
2. Name Your Backups Strategically
A descriptive name like “Before blog modification — 22/11/2024" or “Final design backup — 01/12/2024" is essential to easily find the version you need. Avoid generic names like “Save1" or “Test.”
3. Automate Backup Reminders
If you manage multiple Webflow sites, set up weekly or monthly reminders to check your backups. This keeps your data up to date, especially if you make frequent changes.
Restoring your Webflow Site: Practical Cases
Restoring a backup is not a trivial action. Here are a few cases where this feature becomes crucial:
- Human error : An accidental deletion of a section or page can be corrected in a few clicks thanks to a restoration.
- Bug after an update : If an update causes conflicts or alters your pages, quickly switch back to a working version.
- Attack or hack : In the event of a compromise of your site, a restoration allows you to start again on a healthy basis.
Practical steps to restore a backup:
- Identify the appropriate backup : Use the “Preview” function to view the backups and choose the appropriate version.
- Take precautions with Collection IDs : If you use automations like Zapier, a restore can change the identifiers of the collections. Be sure to anticipate these adjustments.
- Check after the restore : Once the restore is complete, go through your site to make sure everything is working properly.
Optimizing for Backups: SEO Best Practices
Backing up and restoring your Webflow site can also play an indirect role in your SEO strategy. Here are some tips for integrating these actions into your SEO best practices:
1. Avoid extended downtime
Search engines, like Google, detect downtime. A site that is offline for several hours can negatively impact your ranking. If something goes wrong, a quick restore reduces these interruptions.
2. Keep your content optimized
A backup ensures that your pages that are already optimized for keywords, meta tags, and technical performance are not lost. This eliminates the need to start your optimization work all over again.
3. Safely test your SEO changes
Before changing the structure of your site or testing a new SEO strategy, create a backup. If the results are inconclusive, you can easily go back to the previous version.
Tips to Optimize Your Webflow Backup Management
- Integrate an external storage system
Webflow manages the backups internally, but it is recommended to save an exported version of your site (in HTML/CSS) on a cloud service such as Google Drive or Dropbox. It adds an extra layer of security. - Collaborate effectively with your team
If multiple users work on the same site, coordinate your backups to avoid losing important changes. - Document your backups and restores
Keep track of the backups created and the restores performed, especially if you manage sites for multiple customers. This facilitates management and technical audits.
Gain peace of mind thanks to a solid backup strategy
Backup management is often overlooked until something goes wrong. By adopting a proactive approach, you protect your efforts and your investment while ensuring an optimal user experience. Whether you are a designer, developer, or project manager, mastering Webflow backups is an essential skill.
Adopt these practices today to secure your Webflow site and be ready for all eventualities.
Conclusion to back up or restore your webflow site
Backing up and restoring a Webflow site is an essential skill for any user. By following this guide, you can secure your content, avoid losses, and ensure continuity in your online activities. Get in the habit of planning regular backups and properly organizing your versions for optimal management of your Webflow projects.
Protect your investment and gain peace of mind by implementing a robust backup strategy today!
FAQ: Backing up and Restoring a Webflow Site
1. Does Webflow automatically create backups?
Yes, Webflow generates automatic backups:
- After each post.
- Every hour while working on the designer.
However, for more control, it is recommended that you create manual backups.
2. Can I restore a backup without losing recent changes?
No When you restore a backup, any changes made after that release are overwritten. Remember to note important changes before restoring.
3. How do I deal with Collection IDs issues after a restore?
Collection IDs may change after a restore. If you use automations like Zapier or Make, check and update your workflows after the restore.
4. How many backups can I keep in Webflow?
Webflow does not impose a strict limit on the number of backups, but it is advisable to delete old and unnecessary versions regularly to keep a clear overview.
5. Can I export my backups for use on another service?
Webflow does not allow you to export backups directly, but you can export a static version of your site in HTML/CSS and store it on another service.
6. How often should I back up my Webflow site?
It depends on how often the updates are. A backup is recommended:
- Before each major publication.
- After structural or design changes.
7. What should I do if a backup fails?
- Check your internet connection and try again after a few minutes.
If the problem persists, contact Webflow support.
8. Do Webflow backups impact SEO?
Backups themselves don't directly affect SEO. However, restoring a site to an earlier version could remove recent SEO optimizations. Always check your meta tags, keywords, and content after a restore.
9. Can I schedule specific automatic backups?
No, Webflow does not offer the possibility to schedule custom backups. Automatic and manual backups need to be managed manually.
10. How can I minimize interruptions for my visitors?
Back up and restore during off-peak hours to minimize the impact on your users. Also communicate about possible interruptions via a temporary page or a message on your social networks.
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