1. Use Caching
What it does: Store frequently accessed data in fast memory (RAM) instead of querying slow databases every time.Why it works: Database queries take 10-100ms. Cache hits take <1ms. 90%+ speed improvement.
2. Minimize Payload Size
4. Load BalancingWhat it does: Spread traffic across multiple servers.Why it works: 1 server = 1000 req/s. 5 servers = 5000 req/s.
┌──────────────┐ Cache Hit ┌──────────────┐
│ Client │ ──────────────▶ │ Cache │
│ Request │ │ (Redis) │
└──────────────┘ │ │
│ Data: │
│ {user:123} │
└──────┬───────┘
│ Cache Miss
▼
┌──────────────┐ Query DB ┌──────────────┐
│ Client │ ──────────────▶ │ Database │
│ Request │ │ (PostgreSQL) │
└──────────────┘ └──────────────┘2. Minimize Payload Size
What it does: Send ONLY the data clients need, not everything.Why it works: 1KB response = 2ms transfer. 100KB = 200ms. 10x faster!
3. Use Asynchronous ProcessingWhat it does: Handle slow tasks (emails, file uploads) in background.Why it works: API responds in 10ms instead of waiting 2 seconds for email.
3. Use Asynchronous ProcessingWhat it does: Handle slow tasks (emails, file uploads) in background.Why it works: API responds in 10ms instead of waiting 2 seconds for email.
┌──────────────┐ 10ms ┌──────────────┐ 2sec Later
│ Client │ ─────────────▶ │ API │ ─────────────▶ ┌──────────────┐
│ POST /order│ │ Responds: │ │ Email │
└──────────────┘ │ {"status": │ │ Service │
│ "queued"} │ └──────────────┘
└──────┬───────┘
│ Queue
▼
┌──────────────┐
│ Bull Queue │
└──────────────┘4. Load BalancingWhat it does: Spread traffic across multiple servers.Why it works: 1 server = 1000 req/s. 5 servers = 5000 req/s.
┌──────────────┐
│ Load Balancer│
│ (Nginx) │
└──────┬───────┘
│
┌─────────────┼─────────────┐
│ │ │
┌──────────┐ ┌──────────┐ ┌──────────┐
│ Server 1 │ │ Server 2 │ │ Server 3 │
│ 80% CPU │ │ 20% CPU │ │ 30% CPU │
└──────────┘ └──────────┘ └──────────┘What it does: Use compact formats instead of verbose ones.Why it works: JSON = 2KB. Protocol Buffers = 200 bytes. 10x smaller!
6. Connection PoolingWhat it does: Reuse database connections instead of creating new ones.Why it works: New connection = 50ms. Pooled = 0.1ms. 500x faster!
7. Use CDNsWhat it does: Serve static files from servers near users.Why it works: NYC→NYC = 10ms. NYC→London = 80ms. 8x faster!
8. Implement API GatewayWhat it does: Single entry point for routing, auth, caching, rate limiting.Why it works: Offloads 70% of API work to gateway.
┌──────────────┐
│ Client │
└──────┬───────┘
│
┌──────────────┐ Auth ┌──────────────┐
│ API Gateway │ ─────────▶ │ Auth │
│ (Kong/AWS) │ Cache │ Service │
└──────┬───────┘ └──────────────┘
│ Route /users
▼
┌──────────────┐ Query ┌──────────────┐
│ API Server │ ←───────── │ Database │
└──────────────┘ └──────────────┘
9. Avoid Over/UnderfetchingWhat it does: Return exactly what client needs (GraphQL vs REST).Why it works: REST = 10KB extra data. GraphQL = 2KB needed data.
Performance Impact SummaryStrategy Speed Gain Implementation
Caching 90% Easy
Payload Size 95% Easy
Async Processing 99% Medium
Load Balancing 5x Capacity Hard
Data Formats 85% Medium
Connection Pooling 98% Easy
CDN 75% Easy
API Gateway 60% CPU Hard GraphQL 80% Medium
