Being a self-employed business owner, I know first-hand when something happens to my computer or internet connection, my work stops. It creates quite a stressful situation. I am unable to get tasks done, for my client and myself. So, having reliable digital backup strategies are a necessity.
You may think I am exaggerating, but the reality is no computer is 100% unbreakable. Updates, viruses, malware and Internet outages can wreak havoc on our daily schedule and consume your precious time. To help you keep your tasks on schedule, here are digital backup strategies to protect your small business.
Digital backup strategies to help your business
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You should have several ways to reach your website and other relevant sites. If you have a tablet, you should add your login page to your tablet browser. If you use QuickBooks Online, you should have the app installed on your tablet
as well. There should always be at least another few ways to reach your sites just in case the main way, breaks or is not accessible.
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Always have your computer
setup to backup to an external server automatically. You can have your computer backing up regularly to Dropbox or a physical in-house network attached storage (NAS
) device. This way you don’t have to worry that data will be lost.
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Emails should be in two places. If you have email downloaded into an email client like Outlook
, make sure your emails do not get erased from your email provider. This way, if you need to find a recent email, you will have an another area to look.
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Make sure your frequently used apps are on all different devices. If you use one app every day and have a tablet and a phone, make sure it is on both.
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Remember dial-up internet? Occasionally your home wi-fi or internet provider will suffer an outage or failure. If your tablet or smartphone has a mobile data plan, it can be helpful for when your home internet goes down. Many smartphones can be tethered to your computer, so you will be able to use it as an internet access for your computer.
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Online Software applications should be in one place. All your purchased software CDs should be in a safe and dry place, just in case you need to reinstall it. Bookmark the support page from the software’s website in the browser will help you find the answers on your issues quicker.
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Have an extra computer. When buying your new computer, keep your old one and have it loaded with all your apps and browsers you use. If something goes wrong with your newer computer, you have a spare. The only downside is you need to keep your antivirus and malware software updated.
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Find a superb tech person or company. When you can’t do it yourself, having a person you trust can make a scary situation a lot easier to handle.
I hope these backup strategies help you get a system in place for your small business. Have you thought of your backup plan? Do you have any backup plans in place? Please share any tips below.
Sabrina – Okay, I’m guilty, guilty, guilty. Haven’t done near enough of these. Not that I have a traditional small business, but I do promote my book & blog via my computer, and I’ve backed up my info … well … never. I actually went through a couple of computers while writing my novel, and I’ve always been aware that I should “save” info somewhere – so I have a little IT graveyard in my basement with 2 computer towers and a tablet that will serve as proof that I indeed was the original author (in case anyone is ever crazy enough to sell my work as their own – HIGHLY UNLIKELY). Sadly, I know this is much like saving my receipts. Not until I lose lots of good info (or am audited by the IRS) will I begin acting responsibly. Does the fact that I floss & eat my broccoli negate these bad habits?!
Very informative post Sabrina.
You’d never believe that I was an IT Consultant for years because I have been out of compliance with just about all of your points, even though I know better and have the know how. I have done #2 after losing valuable data twice.
All very good points, Sabrina. The one about keeping your old computer is something I’m going to put into effect. Just makes common sense. But, I hadn’t thought about security and malware. Thanks for the heads up.
Until recently I was keeping all my emails on my server and people kept telling me to switch from pop broadband to Imap. I didn’t, but when I logged into my server I found I had 22,000 emails in a six week period and now have it set up to erase emails from my server after one month. Based on what you are saying, maybe I should leave them there longer. I do use an external backup and have a good tech/web person, however, I probably could use a few more security steps in place based on your excellent tips, Sabrina! Thanks for the concise tips as always!
Hi Sabrina 🙂
Excellent tips on how to use digital backup strategies! A few I did not know about, so thank you for sharing!!
Great advice, Sabrina. I had never considered an email backup. I also like your point about making sure all your apps are installed on all your devices.
I was doing really, really well…until I reached the “have 2 computers” part. I usually wait until my existing computer is completely and utterly trashed before I get a new one. One of these days…
Bingo! Learned some of this the hard way….ugh. I also learned a couple of key points from your post too. Thanks for the valuable reminder and awareness reminder!
That’s a bunch of excellent suggestions for avoiding disaster! Having a good backup system relieves you of worry or worse, actual loss of your precious stuff!
It’s amazing how much we take for granted. Great tips! I’ve crashed one too many times and have automated double back up. But, this list makes me want to go back and double check a few things. Thank you!
Although my techy son lives far away he set me up with an external hard drive, I have everything also synced to Ipad & Iphone, so I should be ok. What I dont have with me when away from home is my list of passwords. Gonna take care of that. Thanks- Important info.
I admit that I am so bad about backing up my computer. It went on my list to do on Friday…find a better back up system. Thanks.
Good for you, Karen. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Great tips, Sabrina. I do a lot of these, but putting emails in two places really got me. In my biz, keeping emails is vital, and I hadn’t thought of this!
And, you validated my rather odd practice of keeping my old computer, when I get a new one. Something just always made me keep the old, in case, if all else failed, I’d at least have my work up to there! I don’t feel so goofy about it now 🙂