Back Up Before You’re Packed Up!

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

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