When you operate a business online one of your most important assets is your computer – it’s where all your data is stored. Everything you’ve set up, your systems, client information, database of contacts, history of things that have taken place, everything, it’s a very important part of your business.
So, why would people risk this and not back up their systems on a regular basis? The absolute minimum should be weekly but I would recommend daily, especially if your computer is in use daily. And this would include all of your My Documents folder, any other folders outside that with client/business information, your accounting program, Outlook or whichever email program you use and so on.
I don’t mean back up your software – you should have the original disks for that anyway, and perhaps separate backup disks for that. But I do mean back up what changes regularly and do it religiously. DO NOT FORGET. Don’t let it be shoved aside. A good backup system is your insurance for your business – otherwise, if you lose it, you may as well pack up and go and do something else, because you can effectively lose your business. I’ve heard of some people who have taken a good 6 months to get back to where they were before, because they didn’t have a backup system and lost everything when they lost their computer.
There are many options available these days: CD burning, external drive systems, tape back up, online file storage – explore what’s available and select what best suits you. Even backing up to a second computer (perhaps a laptop) is better than no back up system at all.
Don’t risk it – back up! KMT
backup systems, computer systems, business insurance, file back ups, external drives, file storage
TheBizofKnowledge says
I completely agree with you about the importance of backing up your data on a daily basis. This is critical to small business operators, especially if you have client lists or financial records on your machine. External hard drives and even portable memory sticks are so cheap these days that there’s really no reason/excuse not to have a copy — or two — of everything!