Choosing the Right Host with Redis Cache Support & Configuring It on WordPress

Caching is a vital tool that helps websites perform better by increasing speed and reducing server load. Redis, as one of the most popular caching solutions, is favored by many web developers due to its speed, flexibility, and reliability.

If you are looking to run a well-optimized website, opting for a web host with built-in Redis caching features can significantly minimize your headaches and save time in configuration.

In this article, we will explore what Redis Cache is, why it matters for web hosting shoppers, and how you can use it on your WordPress site, especially with hosting providers like Cloudways that offer built-in Redis integration.

What Exactly is Redis Cache?

Redis, short for Remote Dictionary Server, is an in-memory data structure store that can be used as a database, cache, and message broker. It’s known for its high performance, flexibility, and extensive support for various data structures like strings, hashes, lists, sets, and more.

Redis Cache specifically refers to the use of Redis to store frequently accessed data in memory to speed up data retrieval times. This reduces the load on your primary database and server, making your website faster and more efficient. Unlike other in-memory caches, Redis can also persist data to disk, offering a balance between speed and durability.

Seven Common Use Cases of Redis Caching

Redis caching can be applied in various scenarios to improve performance and efficiency. Here are some common use cases where Redis caching can make a significant difference:

1. Web Page Caching Redis can store the rendered HTML of web pages to serve them quickly to users without regenerating the content for every request. This is particularly useful for pages that don’t change frequently.
2. Database Query Caching Complex database queries can be time-consuming. By caching the results of these queries in Redis, subsequent requests can be served much faster, reducing database load and improving response times.
3. Session Storage Web applications often require session data to be stored and retrieved quickly. Redis is an excellent choice for session storage due to its speed and ability to handle large volumes of data efficiently.
4. Caching API Responses For applications that consume external APIs, Redis can cache API responses to reduce latency and minimize the number of requests made to the API, which can also save on API usage costs.
5. Rate Limiting Redis can be used to implement rate limiting by storing counters and expiration times, ensuring that users or services do not exceed predefined limits for requests or actions within a given period.
6. Leaderboard or Counting Systems For applications like gaming leaderboards or social media post counters, Redis can efficiently handle real-time increments and decrements, making it ideal for maintaining up-to-date counts and rankings.
7. Full-Page Caching with Content Management Systems With CMS platforms like WordPress, Redis can cache entire pages or specific content elements, drastically improving load times for end-users by serving cached content instead of dynamically generating it each time.

Redis vs Memcached: Should You Care?

Both Redis and Memcached are highly effective for improving website speed and performance, with the choice often depending on specific technical needs.

Redis offers advanced features like complex data structures, data persistence, and built-in clustering, making it ideal for versatile and scalable applications. Memcached, on the other hand, is a straightforward, high-speed solution for simple key-value caching.

When selecting a web host, consider whether they support Redis, Memcached, or both, as built-in integration can simplify setup and management, ultimately saving you time and effort.

Implementing Redis Caching

Generally there are two ways to implement Redis caching: One, manually on your server, or two, using a hosting provider with built-in Redis support, such as Cloudways. We will explore both methods in detail.

Manual Implementation of Redis Caching

To manually implement Redis caching, follow these steps:

1. Install and start Redis

Command to install Redis:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install redis-server

Command to start Redis:

sudo systemctl start redis
sudo systemctl enable redis

2. Configure Redis

Open the Redis configuration file: b

sudo nano /etc/redis/redis.conf

Set Redis to run as a background daemon:

daemonize yes

Optionally, enable persistence by uncommenting and configuring the save directives:

save 900 1 save 300 10 save 60 10000

3. Integrate Redis with Your Application:

For a PHP application, you might use the predis library. Install it via Composer:

composer require predis/predis

In your PHP code, connect to Redis and set/get data:

require 'vendor/autoload.php'; 
$client = new Predis\Client(); 
// Setting a value in Redis $client->set('key', 'value'); 
// Getting a value from Redis 
$value = $client->get('key'); 
echo $value; // Outputs: value

4. Integrate Redis with WordPress:

Install and activate the Redis Object Cache plugin from the WordPress plugin repository. Add the following lines to your wp-config.php file

define('WP_CACHE', true); define('WP_REDIS_HOST', '127.0.0.1');

Implementing Redis Caching with Hosting Supports

The implementation process with a hosting provider with built-in Redis caching support is even simpler. Below, we will use Cloudways as our example and demonstrate the procedures.

1. Log into Cloudways Platform

Navigate to your Cloudways account and select your server.

2. Backup Your Server and Enable Redis

To back up your server, go to the ‘Server Management’ tab, select ‘Backups’, and create a backup copy of your server. Once this is done, you have a safe restore point to revert to in case things go awry.

Next, go to the ‘Server Management’ tab, select ‘Manage Services,’ and toggle the Redis switch to ‘On’ (see screenshot above).

Add the following lines to your wp-config.php file to avoid any conflict.

define('WP_CACHE', true); define('WP_CACHE_KEY_SALT', 'yourwebsite.com');

3. Configure Redis for Your Application

Access your WordPress application on Cloudways. Under the ‘Application Management’ tab, navigate to ‘Application Settings’ and enable Redis.

4. Install Redis Plugin for WordPress

In your WordPress dashboard, install and activate the Redis Object Cache plugin.

Go to the plugin settings and click ‘Enable Object Cache’. Your WordPress site is now using Redis for caching.

Best Practices for Redis Caching

For those who are new, there are some tips to maximize the benefits of Redis caching:

• Monitor Cache Size: Set appropriate memory limits using the maxmemory directive to prevent Redis from consuming too much memory.
• Enable Persistence: Configure Redis to save data to disk using the save directives, ensuring data durability during server restarts.
• Regularly Clear Cache: Automate cache clearing to remove outdated data, keeping your cache clean and efficient.
• Optimize Configurations: Adjust Redis settings like maxmemory-policy and connection settings to match your application’s needs.
• Security Measures: Secure Redis by binding it to localhost, using firewalls, and enabling password authentication with the requirepass directive.

Conclusion

Using Redis caching can significantly enhance your website’s performance by increasing speed and reducing server load. Whether you choose to implement it manually or take advantage of a hosting provider with built-in Redis support, the benefits are clear.

For beginners, we strongly recommend choosing a host provider with built-in Redis caching, such as Cloudways. This approach simplifies setup and configuration, making it quick and easy to optimize your website’s performance without the need for extensive technical knowledge. By leveraging the power of Redis through a reliable hosting provider, you can ensure your website runs smoothly and efficiently, keeping your visitors happy and engaged.