The question isn’t if, but when. Every WordPress blog should have a backup plugin installed, and a regular backup scheduled. It’s not that WordPress is sloppy, but hosting varies, servers go down, and sometimes, plugins conflict. There are so many reasons to backup that you simply can’t talk your way out of it…

When Should I Backup My WordPress Site?
Before you make any changes. This includes plugin upgrades or installs, upgrading WordPress, and modifying or changing your theme. All of these tasks modify your site’s database and put your site at risk for a crash. So, before you start clicking, do a quick manual backup of your WordPress database.

How Often Should I Schedule WordPress Backups?
This really is a personal preference. For me, once a week is enough. I don’t generally post more than three times a week, so I won’t lose a lot if the site crashes between backups. But, for people who post a couple times a day, daily or even twice daily is a good idea.

Looking for a WordPress Database Backup Plugin?
There are so many plugins available, and each has it’s own set of options. My personal favorite, and instructions for using it, can be found in my post, How to Backup Your WordPress Site.