Redis is in-memory object cache storage (not a query cache) that operates at the WordPress level, and is available with all of our VPS solutions, free. Redis is a part of our advanced caching umbrella, catered towards Optimizing your WordPress Site Performance.
An object cache sits between the WordPress application and the database. Once your data is accessed for the first time, the Redis server automatically caches that data in object form so any subsequent requests can access that same data quicker, instead of querying your Aurora Database again and again. Reusing these objects stored in cache is not only results in faster page loads to the end user, but also taxes your database less.
Both page caching and object cache work towards accomplishing the same goal – deliver results faster – only at different stages. Page caching stores the HTML/asset (images/js/css) content to be return to the visitor, so a PHP Worker doesn’t have to re-generate the same content for every visitor. Example: what shows up on their screen when they search domain.com. Object caching stores the serialized PHP objects, so the same queries don’t need to be made again for every PHP function that uses the data. Think: the returned output of a SQL query.
If you’re running a WooCommerce store or membership website, those logged-in sessions are going to bypass page caching and invoke PHP. But object caching — by using Redis — can still be used with logged-in sessions. Object caching helps cut down on the communication between the web server and the database, accelerating the output of those dynamic requests.
Another example where Redis becomes extremely beneficial is if your WordPress site is making external API calls to load specific data — say, weather data for a Golf site, competitor pricing data for an e-commerce store, etc. If these external API calls are not blazing fast, they can quickly tie up your PHP Workers, making fewer available to actually process and serve your WordPress PHP pages — which ultimately slows down your page loads. One solution around this is to only fetch that data from those external APIs once an hour or so, and store the results in a structured way — i.e., using Redis Object Cache — so that your PHP Workers are rarely kept waiting, and your site zooms.
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Caching is the #1 mechanism we use to improve performance, which allows you to keep your hardware spend down. Redis runs on the same EC2 instance as your webserver to minimize latency.
If you’re seeing extended response times and limited scaling for your WordPress website, Redis can be just one of the many benefits Pagely can offer you. Chat with our sales team to find out how we can reach your goals together.
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