Drupal performance optimization: reducing database size and enabling Memcache
This project involved solving a hosting limitation issue on a production Drupal website running on shared hosting.
The website had reached the database size limit defined by the hosting plan, which caused operational constraints and performance issues.
The problem was resolved within two hours by optimizing the database structure and enabling Memcache caching.
Project context
The website was running on shared hosting with a strict database size limit defined by the hosting provider.
Over time the project accumulated:
- unused tables;
- temporary data;
- legacy development artifacts.
As a result, the database approached the hosting plan limit, which created risks for future updates and site stability.
At the same time, the website began to show signs of slower response times.
Scope and goals
The goal was to resolve the hosting limitation without migrating to a more expensive server plan.
Key objectives included:
- reducing database size;
- removing unnecessary tables and data;
- improving caching performance;
- stabilizing the website within the existing hosting environment.
Tech stack
- Drupal CMS
- Memcache caching
- database optimization
- hosting-level performance tuning
Key challenges
The optimization had to be performed on a live production website.
Important constraints included:
- avoiding downtime;
- maintaining data integrity;
- ensuring that no critical tables were removed;
- improving performance without changing hosting infrastructure.
Investigation
The first step was analyzing the database structure and identifying sources of unnecessary growth.
Several issues were discovered:
- leftover tables from old modules;
- temporary development tables;
- unused logging data;
- redundant records that were no longer required.
These elements contributed significantly to database size without providing functional value.
Database cleanup
A controlled cleanup process was performed.
This included:
- removing unused tables;
- clearing obsolete development artifacts;
- cleaning up unnecessary data records.
The cleanup reduced the overall database size and eliminated several structural inefficiencies.
Memcache integration
To further improve performance, Memcache caching was enabled.
Memcache allows frequently accessed data to be stored in memory instead of repeatedly querying the database.
After enabling Memcache:
- many repeated database queries were avoided;
- response times improved;
- database load was reduced.
This made the website significantly more efficient even on the same hosting plan.
Result
After the optimization:
- the database size dropped below the hosting plan limit;
- the website continued running on the same shared hosting environment;
- performance noticeably improved;
- database load decreased due to Memcache caching.
The entire problem was solved in approximately two hours without requiring a server migration or infrastructure changes.
What this case demonstrates
Many Drupal performance problems are not caused by server limitations, but by accumulated technical debt in the database structure.
Careful database cleanup combined with proper caching configuration can dramatically improve performance even on modest hosting environments.
If your Drupal site is slow
Slow Drupal websites are often caused by:
- inefficient database queries;
- missing caching layers;
- legacy data accumulation;
- hosting misconfiguration.
Performance optimization can often resolve these issues without expensive infrastructure upgrades.
FAQ
Can Drupal run efficiently on shared hosting?+
Yes. With proper caching configuration and database optimization, Drupal can run efficiently even on shared hosting environments.
What does Memcache do in Drupal?+
Memcache stores frequently accessed data in memory, which reduces the number of database queries and improves page load speed.
Why do Drupal databases grow over time?+
Drupal databases can grow due to logging data, temporary tables, old module remnants, and development artifacts that accumulate over time.
Is it safe to remove unused Drupal database tables?+
Yes, but only after careful analysis. Removing unused tables can significantly reduce database size and improve performance when done correctly.
Does caching improve Drupal performance significantly?+
Yes. Proper caching strategies such as Memcache can dramatically reduce database load and improve response times.