Wix Site Backup Made Simple
TL;DR:
- Wix automatically saves your site history as you make changes
- Create manual backups through the Site History feature in your dashboard
- Restore previous versions easily if something goes wrong
- You can't download complete offline copies, but you can export specific content
- Regular backups protect your work and keep your site running smoothly
Backing up your Wix site isn't as complicated as it might sound. Wix does most of the work for you automatically, but knowing how to create your own backups gives you extra peace of mind.
How Wix Automatically Backs Up Your Site
Every time you make changes to your Wix site, the platform creates a snapshot in your site history. Think of it as an automatic save feature that keeps track of different versions of your site. If you accidentally delete something or make changes you regret, these snapshots are your safety net.
You don't need to do anything to make this happen. It's built into how Wix works.
Creating Manual Backups
While automatic site history is helpful, creating your own manual backups gives you more control over when important versions are saved.
Here's how to do it:
- Open your Wix dashboard and find the Site History tab
- Click 'Create New Site Version'
- Give your backup a clear name so you'll remember what it contains
- Save it
The best approach is to create manual backups before making major changes to your site. If you're updating your design, adding new features, or making content changes, create a backup first. That way, you can always go back if things don't work out as planned.
Restoring Your Site From a Backup
If you need to roll back to an earlier version of your site, the process is straightforward:
- Go to your Site History tab
- Look through your saved versions
- Find the one you want to restore
- Click on it and preview it to make sure it's the right version
- Confirm the restoration
Always preview before you restore. You want to be certain you're going back to the right version of your site.
What About Downloading Your Site?
Here's where Wix works differently from some other platforms. You can't download a complete, working copy of your site to store on your computer. Wix keeps everything on their servers.
However, you can export specific content like blog posts or product information. This won't give you a complete backup, but it does let you keep copies of your most important content offline.
To export content, you'll need to do it manually through each section of your site. It's not ideal, but it's better than having no offline copies at all.
When to Back Up Your Site
Create manual backups:
- Before making design changes
- After adding new content you don't want to lose
- Before installing new apps or features
- At regular intervals if you update your site frequently
The more often you update your site, the more often you should create backups. If you only make changes once a month, monthly backups might be enough. If you're updating daily, weekly backups make more sense.
Keeping Your Backups Organised
Give your backups clear, descriptive names. Instead of "Backup 1" or "New Version", use names like "Before Homepage Redesign" or "After Adding Contact Form". You'll thank yourself later when you're looking for a specific version.
Wix stores these backups for you, but they don't keep them forever. Check Wix's current policy on how long site history is retained, and don't rely on very old backups being available.
FAQs
Can I download my entire Wix site to my computer?
No, Wix doesn't allow you to download a complete working copy of your site. You can export specific content manually, but not the entire site structure.
How long does Wix keep my site history?
Wix keeps your site history, but the exact timeframe can change. Check your dashboard or Wix's help documentation for current retention policies.
Will creating backups slow down my site?
No, creating backups doesn't affect your live site's performance. The backup process happens in the background and doesn't impact your visitors.
What happens if I restore the wrong version?
You can always restore a different version if you make a mistake. That's why it's important to preview before confirming any restoration.
Jargon Buster
Site History – Wix's automatic feature that saves different versions of your site as you make changes
Manual Backup – A site version you create yourself at a specific point in time
Restore – The process of reverting your site back to a previous version
Export – Downloading specific content from your site to save offline
Wrap-up
Wix makes backing up your site fairly straightforward with its automatic site history feature. While you can't download complete offline copies like you might with other platforms, the combination of automatic snapshots and manual backups gives you solid protection for your work.
Get into the habit of creating manual backups before making significant changes. It takes just a minute, but it can save you hours of work if something goes wrong. The peace of mind alone makes it worth doing.
Ready to take your Wix skills further? Join the Pixelhaze Academy for more practical website management guidance.