Database Optimization for Startups

Introduction

Database performance is often the first bottleneck startups hit. This guide covers the essential optimization techniques that will keep your database fast as you grow.

Schema Design

Start with a well-designed schema:

• Use appropriate data types (don't store numbers as strings).
• Add indexes on frequently queried columns.
• Normalize data to reduce redundancy.
• Plan for growth with proper partitioning strategies.

Query Optimization

Most performance issues come from poorly written queries:

• Use EXPLAIN to understand query execution plans.
• Avoid N+1 queries with proper joins.
• Use pagination for large result sets.
• Cache frequently accessed data.

Scaling Strategies

• Read Replicas: Distribute read traffic across multiple servers.
• Caching: Use Redis for frequently accessed data.
• Sharding: Distribute data across multiple databases.
• Archiving: Move old data to separate storage.

Conclusion

Database optimization is an ongoing process. Start with good design, monitor performance, and optimize as needed. This approach will keep your database fast and your users happy.