That’s more than so many people do. There are so many people who take the chance, thinking that losing all of their data will never happen to them.
Eventually however, they do lose their data, and wish that they had been as proactive as you’re being now.
Or some people... and this might be you as well... will lose their data and learn their lesson the hard way. They lose precious pictures, videos, music, and important documents.
Once that happens they begin the hunt for the best online backup system.
In the next article, I’m going to show you the top five features that you should consider when choosing the best online backup service.
So let’s get started with...
Feature #1: Ease of Use
There’s really nothing more aggravating than making a purchase, and the darn thing that you purchased is too hard to figure out.
Many online applications are like that, because the developers of the application forget that not everyone online is tech savvy.
With an online backup system it’s important that it’s easy, because if it’s not, you’re not going to use all of the features available. That could lead to you cutting corners, or not backing up files that you should have, which could then lead to headache and lots of heartache when you lose the files that might be precious to you.
So it’s vital that when comparing two different online back up services, that you’re comfortable with the user interface.
What Is the Interface?
Basically when you join with an online backup service, you’re going to have to download an application to your computer.
This application will run in the background most of the time but there will be times that you’ll need it. These would be during the initial set-up, and when there are certain things that you want to do like ensure a file (or files) is being backed up, restore a file, check for activity of uploads, etc. The list goes on.
So when you click the icon in your desktop, that’s when the interface will appear.
Some of these can be quite confusing to where you almost have to be a rocket scientist to figure it out. While others can be brain dead simple. If the simple one is powerful in other ways, then that should be the one you go with.
Take Advantage of the Free Trials!
Almost every online computer backup service I’ve seen will give you a free trial. The numbers of days in the trials vary, but the fact is that even 1 day is enough to know if you’ll be able to use the system.
Take advantage of the opportunity and get to know the interface.
So there you go. Now you should understand how important it is to go with an online backup service that’s easy to use. And you also know how to find out for free.
Feature #2: Security
When you’re backing up your files online, this means that you’re backing them up onto another server. Someone else’s server!
This also means that these files are going to have to move from your computer to that server. Whenever a file is transferred, there’s always a chance for them to get intercepted en route.
You certainly don’t want this when it comes to important documents. Well any documents really, because getting intercepted could mean getting damaged, or a major privacy leak, such as pictures or videos on your computer.
So therefore you have to make sure that the company you choose for online backup service secures your files.
What Does Secure Mean?
These files must be kept secure with an SSL connection. This stands for “Secure Sockets Layer", which is basically just a fancy term that says that the data will be encrypted so that no prying eyes can see the information within.
However there’s one more element to this equation that you’ve got to be mindful of, and that’s the security of your files while they’re sitting on the servers of the online backup service’s company.
In other words, you have to make sure that your files won’t get hacked both en route as well as while they’re there at their destination.
Of course if you ever have to restore your data back to your computer, then that’s another opening that the bad guys could use to get at your data. You don’t want that either, so you’ve also got to make certain that your data is tightly secured and encrypted on the way back too.
So the file encryption must take place in 3 different ways.
Your files need to be protected while they’re on their way to the server of the company you choose, while they’re sitting there on those servers, and while they’re being brought back for restoration.
Let’s not forget also that with the application running in the background to automatically backup revised files, and constantly updating files, that this adds a security risk as well. So you’ve got to make sure that security is extremely tight or you could easily open up a whole new can of worms for yourself.
One More Thing to Consider...
It’s important that you remember also that hackers are good at what they do. This means that if they can get into your home computer, they can also get into the servers where you’re storing your data.
Also, just as you’re storing your data online in case of natural disaster, natural disaster can also strike the servers that are housing your data. So it helps if you can find a service that has redundant backup…which means that they store your data on two separate servers in case something happens to one, you’ve still got the other.
While this isn’t mandatory, it’s always something to think about.
Alright, that just about does it for security, and I think you can now see how vital of an element having the proper security measures in place is when it comes to backing up your data online.
Feature #3: Storage Amount and Price!
As you begin to look at some of the various services online, you’ll notice that most will give you a free membership for 2GB or less of storage. Some, such as SugarSync even raise the bar and give you 5GB of free storage.
However, the fact is that if you’re backing up your entire computer, or even a bunch of pictures and videos, you’ll use well beyond that.
But it’s wise to take note of how much storage you’ll need.
When it comes to paying for the storage, most will start their packages with the cheapest allowing around 30GB of storage. This is probably sufficient for one computer, maybe even two.
You can expect to pay around $50 a year, give or take for that starter package. Some will let you pay on a monthly basis which is good for most of us.
Others won’t and will make you pay for the entire year up front, giving discounts only when you lock in for extra years with a contract.
How Many Computers You Can Backup Is Also Important...
The chance that you’ve only got just one computer in your home these days is slim. Most people have more than one, while many have tons. But there are also your work computers to consider (or at least files from work). The point is that your 30GB, if you’re not careful, can add up fast.
All of these services of course will let you upgrade your storage capacity, so the fact of going over isn’t a catastrophe. But it’s important for you to take note that it may very well turn into more than you had hoped for.
The number of computers allowed to be backed up with a service varies from one company to the next.
Some companies let you back up three computers max. Some will only allow two computers. While some will allow five! It’s across the board... You’ll just have to figure out what your needs are going to be, how many computers you’ll want to back up, and how much storage that’s going to use up.
In essence there are as many online computer backup services as there are needs of customers. Of course some are better than others, but it’s important to always think about YOUR needs.
This will help you make a more educated guess, and not get sucked into a service that you don’t really need.
Storage amounts are a big element, and of course price is as well. But it’s easier to get a fair price for yourself if you consider your storage needs ahead of time.
Feature #4: Customer Support!
Unfortunately we all get stuck sometimes. It’s inevitable that at some point we’re going to need help with something, especially when it comes to the technical aspects of things.
Sure, most of the companies that I recommend make backing up your computer fairly easy and self explanatory, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy for everyone. Some people may have more experience with computers than others.
You may have a hard time just figuring out how to download the darned software application that allows you to control your online backup, while someone else may have downloaded this type of software, or similar ones dozens of times. They’ll think nothing of it, while you may be left sitting there scratching your head trying to figure out how to do even the most simple things.
This is why it’s important that you choose an online backup service that’s going to give you as much support as you’ll need.
As with storage allowance and price, the world of online backup service varies quite a bit with its customer support as well.
In my view, you should always be able to get in touch with a human being that can help you out after you’ve paid for a service. After all... that’s part of what you’re paying for isn’t it?
However, not all of these services seem to agree. Some do, but not all.
Many times with these services, you get the choice of email support only. However some do go above and beyond and offer phone support as well as chat support. This is my favorite simply because in my eyes, it’s easier to hop on a chat session that’s right there at your fingertips, ask your question, and get an answer extremely fast.
Some people hate chat however, and would much rather get phone support and talk to an actual person who can walk them through things step by step.
It all depends on your level of experience using computer systems, downloading software, transferring files, or if you’re using certain types of online backup storage services…syncing files from one computer to another.
Only you really know how much support that you’ll likely need.
However there is one thing to keep in mind and that’s speed of customer service.
Many of the services out there that offer only email support will take up to 48 hours to answer an email. They usually have a pretty extensive knowledgebase or FAQ section, but that’s not always the case.
Backing up your computer is often times a very time-sensitive activity.
You’ve got files on your computer that you don’t want to lose. Every time you log onto the internet you’re opening yourself up to various threats. If something happens, you want those crucial files such as pictures, videos, documents, etc. to be backed up.
The 48 hours it might take a service to answer your question could mean disaster, so it’s best to find a service that you can get in touch with and receive help right away in some form or another.
The level of customer support could very well mean the difference of saving or losing all of your precious data. Don’t take that chance with yours.
Feature #5: Sharing and Syncing Files
So one of the things that you may want to consider when choosing your online backup service is whether or not you’re going to want to share your files online.
Just as well, you’ll want to consider if you’ll want to be able to sync the files with another computer or not.
What the Heck Does All This Mean?
Okay, so the easiest way to explain is with a hypothetical story. Let’s say for instance that you and your family have just visited Walt Disney World in Florida on vacation.
While there of course you took a ton of pictures of your kids having the time of their lives! Unfortunately though (or maybe fortunately) your parents or your in-laws couldn’t come along.
However they know you took a ton of pictures and they’ve been hounding you forever to send them, but it’s just been a pain in the butt to send the pictures out.
Well with a sharing feature on an online backup service, you can simply create a link that contains the files that you want to share with your family. This link will be password protected and safe, and only the files that you allow to be shared will be visible.
That’s what sharing is all about. Of course I’m sure you can think of plenty of other uses for the sharing feature, but that would be one example.
How About Syncing? What Is That?
Syncing is different from sharing.
Basically syncing means that you interconnect all of your computers (or a designated number) to be able to control, open, and edit certain files seamlessly.
In other words, using another hypothetical... let’s say you’re at work and it’s getting close to quitting time. You know you’re not going to be able to finish that report you’re working on and you’d like to finish it at home.
Well, before you would have to save it, send it to yourself in an email attachment, and then open that attachment when you got home.
Then you would work on it and then have to email it to yourself again so you have the updated version at work the next day.
With syncing you could simply save that file to a designated syncing folder, where each time you updated the file it would be saved across your separate computers automatically so that you would only have to open the file when you got home, worked on it, hit save... and then open the same file from the sync folder again at work.
It makes things incredibly easy to deal with.
Sharing and syncing are very valuable tools in our busy lives, and if you can find a backup service that allows this in an efficient way, then I’d suggest you jump at the chance if everything else is in line such as...
- Ease of Use...
- Security...
- Sufficient Storage at a Fair Price...
- And Customer Support...
If you’ve got those things in line, plus easy syncing and sharing capacity, then it seems that you’ve done a great job in choosing the best online backup service.
For more information, you may want to read our review of MyPC Backup.
