SiteSkite offers two types of backup systems — Classic Backup and Incremental Backup — giving you flexibility to balance between speed, storage, and reliability depending on your workflow.
Both types ensure your WordPress websites remain secure and recoverable, but they work differently in how they store and update your data.
Classic Backup
Classic Backup is a full backup system. Every time you run or schedule a backup, SiteSkite creates a complete copy of your website — including files, database, themes, plugins, uploads, and configurations — all packaged into a single .zip file.
✅ Advantages of Classic Backup
Complete Snapshot: Captures your entire website at that exact moment.
Ideal for Major Changes: Best used before updates, migrations, or major redesigns.
Independent Backups: Each backup is self-contained and doesn’t depend on previous backups.
⚠️ Disadvantages
Takes More Time: Since it backs up everything, the process is slower.
Consumes More Storage: Each backup creates a large file.
Higher Server Load: Frequent full backups can increase disk I/O and CPU usage.
💡 When to Use Classic Backup
Before updating WordPress core, plugins, or themes.
Before migrating your website to another server.
When you prefer having multiple standalone restore points.
Incremental Backup
Incremental Backup saves only the new or modified files since the last backup, instead of re-backing up everything. This makes it faster and more efficient.
Once enabled, SiteSkite continuously tracks changes in your files and database. Each new backup only includes what has changed since the previous one — dramatically reducing time and storage.
✅ Advantages of Incremental Backup
Faster Backups: Only changed files are processed.
Storage Efficient: Reduces overall backup size and space usage.
Lower Server Impact: Minimizes CPU and disk usage, even with frequent backups.
⚠️ Disadvantages
Depends on Previous Backups: To restore fully, all incremental sets must be available.
Longer Restore Process: Combining multiple increments may take more time.
Not Ideal for One-Off Full Snapshots: If you want a single full archive, use Classic instead.
💡 When to Use Incremental Backup
For daily or frequent automatic backups.
When managing multiple websites with limited storage space.
When you want efficient performance with minimal impact on server resources.
How to Enable Incremental Backup in SiteSkite
By default, Incremental Backup is turned OFF — SiteSkite performs Classic backups.
To enable Incremental mode:
Go to your SiteSkite Portal → Your Desired Site → Backups Tab.
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Locate the Incremental Backup toggle.
Switch it ON.
Currently, all future backups will automatically be classic.
To revert to Incremental backups, simply turn the toggle ON.
Which Backup Type Should You Choose?
Scenario |
Recommended Backup Type |
|---|---|
Full website protection before migration |
Classic Backup |
Daily automatic backup routine |
Incremental Backup |
Limited storage space |
Incremental Backup |
Need quick restore points |
Classic Backup |
Managing multiple sites efficiently |
Incremental Backup |
In Summary
Feature |
Classic Backup |
Incremental Backup |
|---|---|---|
Backup Type |
Full |
Partial (changed files only) |
Speed |
Slower |
Faster |
Storage Usage |
Higher |
Lower |
Restore Process |
Simple |
Requires previous backups |
Ideal For |
Major updates, one-time snapshots |
Regular, automated backups |
Tip: You can combine both methods — keep incremental backups for daily runs, and perform a classic full backup weekly for maximum reliability.