This is a comprehensive guide or bunch of tips to Optimize WordPress Running on Dedicated Server. Though Dedicated Server is becoming a historic hosting option as Cloud Servers are currently dominating the most of the useful and successful blogs, still there are users who use dedicated servers and these few tips to optimize WordPress might help them.
Tips to Optimize WordPress Running on Dedicated Server – Reduce the Database Server’s burden
In case of a dedicated server, the database server is actually running on the same physical server and using the same physical resource. MySQL has gone away, 508 resource limit reached messages are quite common due to increased number of plugins which are eating up the php memory. In case of a Dedicated Server, you frankly can not increase the php memory after a limit, which a Cloud Server easily can do as the cloud server’s RAM and Bandwidth is virtually not limiting.
These happens probably due to the fact, all the plugins try to use wp-cron.php or other same core file simultaneously. To avoid it, use database cache plugin plus reduce the number of not-so-needed plugins. If you need to reduce a plugin, which is SEO wise harmful – try to increase the php memory.
---
Tips to Optimize WordPress on Page Speed Score
- Your WordPress blog should load within 2 – 3 seconds with a Page Speed score (by WebPageTest) should be over 90/100.
- Using a Content Delivery Network, a Cache Plugin, some htaccess tricks can do it easily. All these, directly reduces the load on the main server.
- Use an optimal theme, Thesis and Genesis framework with optimized child theme are among the best performers. Read our previously published tips to Optimize WordPress on the page speed front.
- Use a cache server if needed
Tips to Optimize WordPress on the backend
Its quite bad if the WordPress backend is slow despite the fronend is fast – it simply increases your fatigue. You can use CDN to offload the static files, increasing the php memory.
Conclusion on Tips to Optimize WordPress Running on Dedicated Server
Frankly, there is no meaning to use a dedicated server for a WordPress blog now. Cloud Server and cloud Hosting from Rackspace or other reliable hosting brands not only reduces the cost, but also gives the pay as you go model, ensuring that your WordPress will never be short of Physical RAM or Bandwidth.
Dedicated server is probably a good option where a bit more security is needed – our usual blogs has nothing to hide, all pages are actually public; but still for a secure server, one must think of a colocation server rather than a dedicated server.
Also, a Virtual Dedicated Server is a very good cheaper alternative, sometimes a VPS can outperform a Dedicated Server at the same cost or less.
