Where data loss costs money directly.
WHY SHOPS ARE DIFFERENT
The database changes constantly. Orders, customers, stock levels and payments are all data that cannot be recreated.
A brochure site restored to last week loses nothing much. A shop restored to last week loses every order since.
WHAT THIS IMPLIES
Daily database backups at minimum More frequent backups for higher order volumes Retention long enough to cover a compromise discovered weeks later
BEFORE RESTORING A SHOP
Export recent orders first. You will need to reconcile them afterwards.
Check the payment gateway dashboard, which holds a record of transactions independent of your database. Orders that exist there and not in the restored database are the ones to re-enter.
That gateway record is effectively a second copy of your most important data.
STOCK LEVELS
A restore rolls stock back. Reconcile against physical stock afterwards, or you will oversell.
WHAT TO TELL CUSTOMERS
If orders were affected, contact those customers directly. They paid, and their order may no longer exist in your system.
TESTING
Restore to staging and place a test order. Confirm the shop functions, not just that it loads.
