Backup Files via Email Using BackupElf.com

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Here’s an idea that seems so obvious it’s surprising no one’s done it before (cue comments from a dozen SitePoint readers using a similar service!) BackupElf.com simply backs-up any files sent to Save@BackupElf.com. There are no downloads, installations or configurations required. All you need is an email address and application — whether that’s on your PC, mobile, tablet or a webmail client. You don’t even need to sign-up since a BackupElf account is created for you.Despite the fragility of digital data, it still amazes me how few people have a backup plan. IT experts often forget that hard disks fail, so how do novices cope?BackupElf.com will appeal to users who require an easy, ad-hoc, no-frills back-up solution. The service encrypts, categorizes, and indexes every attachment it receives. Files are stored safely and securely so it’s easy to find a backup on the website many years after it was sent. I expect many people will use BackupElf to transfer files between devices without the usual USB/Bluetooth link-up shenanigans.A 100MB account is provided free of charge but plans with additional space are available from $4.95 per month. 60GB business plans can also be purchased for multiple employees.BackupElf.comBackupElf.com was founded by brothers Adam and Matthew Toren. They have an ambitious target to create a $100-million company with nothing but their talent, connections, persistence and $5,000 of their own invested capital:

By limiting ourselves to only $5K in initial funding, we’re forced to be creative in how we make this work. Sure, we hope for and anticipate success, but also for the type of success story that could inspire millions of future entrepreneurs.

The brother’s previous projects include YoungEntrepreneur.com and the book Kidpreneurs: Young Entrepreneurs With Big Ideas!BackupElf launches on October 5, 2010 and should be live by the time you read this post. For more information, head over to BackupElf.com or view the 60-second introductory video…

What do you think about BackupElf? Is it a good idea? Would you use it? Can it succeed and become a $100-million company?

Craig BucklerCraig Buckler
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Craig is a freelance UK web consultant who built his first page for IE2.0 in 1995. Since that time he's been advocating standards, accessibility, and best-practice HTML5 techniques. He's created enterprise specifications, websites and online applications for companies and organisations including the UK Parliament, the European Parliament, the Department of Energy & Climate Change, Microsoft, and more. He's written more than 1,000 articles for SitePoint and you can find him @craigbuckler.

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