The habit that prevents most disasters.
WHEN
Before updating core, a theme or a plugin Before installing anything new Before editing a configuration file Before a migration Before letting a developer work on the site Before any change you might want to undo
WHAT TO TAKE
At minimum, a database backup, which takes under a minute.
For anything substantial, files as well.
THE FASTEST METHOD
cPanel > Backup > Partial Backups > download the database. One click, and you can restore it from the same page.
WHY PEOPLE SKIP IT
Because most changes work. The two minutes seem unnecessary until the one time they are not.
WHAT IT SAVES
A failed update with a backup is a five-minute rollback. Without one it is hours of diagnosis, or a rebuild.
FOR CLIENT WORK
Always, before touching anything. If something breaks during your work, you want a known-good state and so does the client.
MAKING IT A HABIT
Attach it to the action rather than the calendar. Backup, then update. Every time.
