Data recovery is an aspect of backup and recovery and an integral component of your overall disaster recovery plan (DRP).

Companies rely on data to inform business decisions and to support day-to-day operations. As such, any data loss can seriously impact continuity, which is why data recovery is so critical.

What is Data Recovery?

Data recovery is a software-driven process that enables you to recover and restore lost, deleted, inaccessible, corrupted, or damaged files so you can get back to work quickly.

As the business landscape—and our lives in general—become more data-dependent, the need to protect data systems grows. As the digital landscape evolves, so does the threat environment. Computer viruses, malware, and ransomware are just a few of the issues data recovery can help you recover from. However, you also need to protect systems from more common incidents, like accidental file deletion, corrupted files, and incompatible third-party software (SaaS).

If any of these issues impact your systems or files, data recovery helps you restore systems to a specific point in time before the incident occurred. Data recovery minimizes costly downtime, strengthening your brand and helping you maintain productivity.

Backups are Key

The data recovery process relies on backups to work. Without a backup, you would need to rebuild lost data from scratch, which could take a lot of (avoidable) time and effort.

Backup and recovery solutions like Rewind combine backup and recovery functions into a single, user-friendly interface. With backup and data recovery software installed on your devices and systems, backups are automated, and the data recovery process initiates in just a few clicks. Ease of use is a key component here, as it reduces reliance on costly IT expertise and helps you maintain system integrity and uptime.

The Most Typical Causes of Data Loss

Data loss can happen for any number of reasons. Most often, it’s an innocent mistake. Even so, data loss can cripple a business very quickly if there is no data recovery plan in place.

Some of the most common reasons for data loss include:

· Human error

· Incompatible third-party software or plugins

· Legacy software with unpatched vulnerabilities

· Software not updated regularly

· Malicious intent (malware, ransomware, viruses, phishing)

· Corrupted CSV files

· Inadequate access control

· Power outages

· Hardware malfunction (drive crashes or system failure)

· Disasters leading to loss of premises (flooding, fire, etc.)

Human error is overwhelmingly the biggest concern, accounting for 88% of all data loss. However, data breaches are also on the rise and could be much more challenging to recover from. According to an IBM study, the average cost of a data breach in the United States is $8.64 million, while the average time to identify, contain, and recover from a breach is 280 days.

The Importance of Data Recovery

When you consider data loss implications, data recovery software is an essential tool in risk mitigation and in maintaining business continuity.

With more people working from home these days, the risks compound as many employees use their own devices or work on shared computers. A simple data recovery solution and data recovery program protects you from whatever might happen, ensuring uptime and maximizing productivity.

Data Recovery Software: What is It and How It Works?

Data recovery programs are software applications that leverage your data backups to restore your files and systems to an uncompromised state.

There are many different data recovery solutions available today. As you research the best data recovery solution for your needs, you’ll find many options. Choosing the right solution for recovering data is critical.

Here are some of the most common types of data recovery software on the market today:

Free Software

Many backup and recovery software vendors offer a free version of their solution. Consider the capabilities and limitations of the free version, as it might not deliver all the features you need.

For example, some free versions limit the types of files you can recover, and most do not provide storage for the backups. Some offer a full backup and storage but charge you a fee to access the backup or restore your files. Ultimately, your data is your lifeblood, so your data recovery solution should protect it accordingly. If you’re looking for ways to reduce costs in your organization, backup and recovery are not areas where you want to compromise.

Paid Software

Paid data recovery software usually offers several tiers of data recovery service depending on how much data and how quickly you need to recover. Paid features might include additional drives or devices, file repair, scalable backup storage, and virtual disc recovery—all essential considerations in light of potential data disasters and what could happen.

Many companies assume that the SaaS platforms they use also back up their data—meaning there is no need to onboard additional software—but that’s only true to a point. Most SaaS backs up their own network and platform, but your account data, settings, and customizations might still be at risk. Onboarding a paid data recovery solution ensures you have the tools you need to fill the gaps.

Beginner Software

Beginner data recovery software might be sufficient for individuals backing up their phone data or for small companies that don’t process many online transactions.

When we say “beginner,” the assumption is that the solution is easy to set up and use and does not come with a lot of the bells and whistles you’ll find in a professional solution. For example, you might not have much control over your configurations or what kinds of data to back up.

In best practice, articulate your needs and priorities before you start shopping around as a way to benchmark and eliminate the solutions you find. You want the software to be easy to use but not at the expense of functionality.

Professional Software

Professional data recovery software is feature-rich and highly configurable to your business needs. Though professional software solutions aren’t strictly for businesses, they are better suited to address the more complex requirements of today’s digital-first business models.

Look for professional backup and data recovery solutions that are tailored to your specific industry, if available.

For example, Rewind offers industry-specific solutions for Shopify, BigCommerce, and other ecommerce platforms, as well as QuickBooks Online, GitHub, and Trello. Each iteration of the software is designed to address the unique needs of each SaaS solution and industry sector, ensuring users have the right balance of value, functionality, and control.

Choosing a Data Recovery Provider

When considering your options, think about how much downtime you can afford before data loss starts to impact your business. If you typically process massive volumes of data—as would be the case with an ecommerce store or financial services—you need more robust and customizable solutions.

You must also consider how easy it is to use and who will be using it. If you do not have in-house IT capabilities, it’s wise to choose software that is simple enough that anyone can run it.

Rewind data recovery is a user-friendly, cost-effective, flexible, reliable, and professional solution that answers all your most pressing business concerns. Our industry-specific backup and data recovery software is tailored to the needs of ecommerce, finance, development, and productivity, helping you keep your employees working and your business running efficiently even during times of rapid growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is data recovery and why should a Shopify store care?

Data recovery is the process of restoring lost, deleted, corrupted, or inaccessible data so you can get back to work fast. The article frames it as part of your disaster recovery plan, helping you reduce downtime and protect continuity. For Shopify, that means recovering products, orders, themes, and customer data after a mistake or incident.

How does data recovery actually work for ecommerce teams?

Recovery software uses your backups to roll your store back to a clean point in time before the problem happened. With automated backups, restores can start in a few clicks, which keeps uptime high and support costs low. This approach limits damage from malware, bad apps, or accidental deletions.

What are the most common causes of data loss in online stores?

Human error drives the majority of incidents, with the article citing 88% of data loss tied to people. Other causes include bad third‑party apps or plugins, unpatched software, malware and ransomware, corrupted CSV files, power outages, and hardware failures. A simple recovery plan covers both everyday mistakes and rare disasters.

How do backups improve ROI for Shopify merchants?

Backups cut downtime, which protects sales, ad efficiency, and customer trust. The article notes that breaches can cost millions and take 280 days to resolve, so fast restore paths pay for themselves by shortening outages and avoiding rework. For small teams, fewer emergencies also mean less paid IT time.

What should my backup schedule look like for a Shopify store?

Automate daily backups at minimum, then add on‑demand backups before theme edits, big promotions, or app installs. Test a sample restore each month to confirm integrity and train your team on the steps. Store owners should have clear restore permissions and a short checklist to speed action.

How do I protect against human error if it causes most data loss?

Lock down access based on roles, require reviews for bulk edits and CSV imports, and snapshot before changes. Keep a simple rollback plan that points to which backup to restore and who approves it. Short training plus guardrails will catch most issues before they hit your customers.

Can data recovery help with malware, ransomware, or bad app installs?

Yes, because you can restore to a clean, pre‑incident state that removes the compromised files or bad changes. The article highlights recovery from malware and incompatible third‑party software as key use cases. Combine this with patched software and vetted apps to reduce repeat risks.

Should I rely on a free data recovery tool?

Free tools often limit file types or charge to access stored backups, which can slow you down during an outage. The article advises checking capabilities and hidden costs, since your data is your lifeblood. For a revenue‑driven Shopify store, paid plans with reliable storage and one‑click restores are usually worth it.

What KPIs should I watch to prove the value of data recovery?

Track time to restore, number of incidents, hours saved on rebuilds, and revenue at risk during downtime. Add trends like error rates from CSV imports and app‑related rollbacks to guide process fixes. These metrics show how your plan protects sales and reduces operating costs.

What’s a simple implementation plan I can follow this week?

Choose a backup and recovery app that supports automated daily backups and point‑in‑time restores, then connect your store and payment stack. Set roles and permissions, run a test backup and restore, and document a 10‑minute rollback checklist. Before your next promo, create a manual snapshot and brief your team on how to trigger a restore if needed.