Tag: Redis

Reduce TTFB on Budget Hosting (OPcache + Object Cache)

Time To First Byte (TTFB) is a critical performance metric that measures how long it takes for a user’s browser to receive the first byte of data from your server. On budget WordPress hosting, TTFB can often be slow due to limited server resources. This tutorial shows you how to reduce TTFB effectively by enabling OPcache and an object cache, improving your site’s responsiveness without upgrading your hosting plan.

Quick Fix: Enable OPcache and Object Cache

1. Verify your hosting supports PHP OPcache and enable it in your PHP configuration.
2. Install and configure a persistent object cache like Redis or Memcached.
3. Integrate the object cache with WordPress using a suitable plugin.
4. Test your site’s TTFB before and after to confirm improvements.

Why This Happens

Budget hosting environments typically share resources among many users, leading to slower PHP execution and database queries. WordPress dynamically generates pages by running PHP scripts and querying the database on each request, which increases TTFB.

OPcache caches compiled PHP bytecode, so PHP scripts don’t need to be recompiled on every request, reducing CPU load and execution time.

Object caching stores database query results and other expensive computations in memory, allowing WordPress to serve data faster without repeated database hits.

Combining OPcache with a persistent object cache significantly reduces backend processing time, lowering TTFB even on limited hosting.

Requirements

• Budget WordPress hosting with PHP 7.4 or higher (PHP 8.x preferred).
• Access to PHP configuration (php.ini or hosting control panel).
• Redis or Memcached service available on your server or via your hosting provider.
• Ability to install WordPress plugins.

Step-by-step Guide

1. Enable OPcache in PHP

Check if OPcache is enabled by creating a phpinfo.php file in your WordPress root directory:

<?php
phpinfo();
?>

Access it via your browser (e.g., https://yourdomain.com/phpinfo.php) and look for the Zend OPcache section.

If OPcache is disabled, enable it by editing your php.ini file or using your hosting control panel’s PHP settings. Add or update these lines:

opcache.enable=1
opcache.memory_consumption=128
opcache.interned_strings_buffer=8
opcache.max_accelerated_files=10000
opcache.revalidate_freq=2
opcache.validate_timestamps=1

Restart your web server or PHP-FPM process if you have control over it.

2. Install Redis or Memcached

Check if your hosting provider supports Redis or Memcached. If yes, enable the service via your control panel or request support.

If you have SSH access and permission, install Redis (example for Ubuntu):

sudo apt update
sudo apt install redis-server
sudo systemctl enable redis-server
sudo systemctl start redis-server

For Memcached:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install memcached
sudo systemctl enable memcached
sudo systemctl start memcached

3. Install and Configure Object Cache Plugin in WordPress

Use a plugin to connect WordPress with Redis or Memcached. Popular options:

• Redis Object Cache (for Redis)
• Memcached Redux (for Memcached)

Example: Installing Redis Object Cache

1. Go to Plugins > Add New in your WordPress dashboard.
2. Search for Redis Object Cache and install it.
3. Activate the plugin.
4. Go to Settings > Redis and click Enable Object Cache.

4. Verify Object Cache is Working

Use the plugin’s status page or install the Query Monitor plugin to check if object caching is active and reducing database queries.

5. Test TTFB Improvement

Use tools like GTmetrix, Pingdom, or WebPageTest to measure TTFB before and after enabling caching.

Common Pitfalls

• OPcache not enabled: Some shared hosts disable OPcache by default. Confirm with your provider.
• Redis/Memcached not available: Budget hosts may not support these services or restrict access.
• Plugin conflicts: Object cache plugins can conflict with other caching or optimization plugins.
• Incorrect configuration: Ensure Redis/Memcached connection details match your server setup.
• Not clearing cache after changes: Always flush caches after plugin or theme updates.

Works on

Server	Control Panel	Cache Support
Apache, Nginx, LiteSpeed	cPanel, Plesk, DirectAdmin	PHP OPcache, Redis, Memcached

FAQ

Q: Can I enable OPcache on any shared hosting?

A: Not always. Many budget hosts enable OPcache by default, but some restrict access. Check with your hosting provider.

Q: Is Redis or Memcached better for object caching?

A: Both are effective. Redis offers more features and persistence, while Memcached is simpler. Use whichever your host supports.

Q: Will enabling these caches reduce my database size?

A: No, caching reduces query load and speeds up response times but does not affect database size.

Q: How often should I clear OPcache and object

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