How to Optimize WordPress Database Size in 5 Simple Steps [Beginner Level]

Optimizing your database is essential for delivering the best possible experience to your users.

In this post, we’ll show you how to optimize your WordPress database so that you can keep your site running smoothly and free from errors. We’ll also give you tips on keeping your database growing at a healthy pace without sacrificing performance.

Table of Contents

Understanding the WordPress Database

To dive a little deeper into the workings of WordPress, you have to be familiar with the diagram below.

This visual representation of the WordPress database will help you understand the relations between the tables created during the standard WordPress installation.

WordPress Database How to Optimize WordPress Database Size in 5 Simple Steps [Beginner Level]

Wp_commentmeta – Each comment contains metadata, which is stored in the wp_commentmeta.

wp_comments – Comments are stored in wp_comments

wp_links – Stores information related to links entered into the Links feature of WordPress.

wp_options – Contains the options set under Administration > Settings

wp_postmeta – Contains post meta information

wp_posts – Contains data for posts, pages, and custom post types

wp_terms – Contains post tags and categories for posts and links

wp_termmeta – Contains term information called metadata

wp_term_relationships – The association between categories and tags is maintained in the wp_term_relationships table.

wp_term_taxonomy – Contains a description of the category, link, or tag used in wp_terms

wp_usermeta – Contains meta-information about users

wp_users – contains a list of users

Optimize WordPress Database Size in 5 Simple Steps

Before optimizing your WordPress database, take a complete backup first. You can quickly restore your website if something goes wrong during the process.

Most hosting companies offer a backup feature, so use it before optimizing.

Step 1. Disable And Delete Unused WordPress Plugins

Delete Unused WordPress Plugins How to Optimize WordPress Database Size in 5 Simple Steps [Beginner Level]

Cluttering up your website with inactive or unused plugins takes up valuable storage space, which can drastically slow down your website.

To keep your WordPress site running smoothly, it’s essential to disable and delete unused plugins. You can free up valuable space on your server with a few simple steps.

Plugins are one of the primary sources of security vulnerabilities on websites. By disabling and deleting unused plugins, you can protect your WordPress blog from potential attacks and protect your data from unauthorized access.

Step 2. Delete All Spam Comments and Post Revisions

Spam Comments and Post Revisions How to Optimize WordPress Database Size in 5 Simple Steps [Beginner Level]

After deleting unused WordPress plugins, the second step in optimizing the WordPress database is deleting spam comments and post revisions.

To run your blog as efficiently as possible, you must eliminate unnecessary clutter. This includes comments that are in your spam folder, as well as any post revisions.

You can ensure that your WordPress database remains optimized and speedy by taking these simple steps!

Step 3. Use cache plugins

cache plugins How to Optimize WordPress Database Size in 5 Simple Steps [Beginner Level]

The third step is optimizing the WordPress database.

One of the most common causes of WordPress slowness is outdated or excessive database files.

By caching your WordPress pages using a caching plugin like W3 Total Cache, you can significantly improve the performance of your website.

Step 4. Compress Images

Compress Images How to Optimize WordPress Database Size in 5 Simple Steps [Beginner Level]

With all of the new content created on the web, your website storage must be kept as lean as possible.

Compressing your images reduces the amount of data residing in your database, which saves you money on monthly hosting fees and helps to improve the performance of your website.

Step 5. Useful MySql Queries To Optimize WordPress Database

Optimize WordPress Database How to Optimize WordPress Database Size in 5 Simple Steps [Beginner Level]

The Akismet plugin increases database size in many cases because of a table called wp_commentmeta. Install the WP-DB Manager plugin to run each SQL query separately from the WordPress dashboard.

DELETE FROM wp_commentmeta WHERE comment_id NOT IN (SELECT comment_id FROM wp_comments);

DELETE FROM wp_commentmeta WHERE meta_key LIKE '%akismet%';

The table name might differ in your WordPress installation, so check before applying the above queries.

Recommended Tutorials for Further Reading:

FAQs on Optimizing WordPress Database

Why Your WordPress Database Is Essential?

WordPress database is essential to the functioning of your website. It stores all of the information used to generate your website’s content, from blog posts to pages and files.

If this data is not correctly kept up to date, your website will suffer, and visitors will be unable to access it. So, make sure to keep your WordPress database updated and optimized.

Will optimizing WordPress Break your Site?

Optimizing WordPress can result in several changes to your site, which could break it. To be on the safer side, take a backup of your site before you begin optimizing it. This will ensure that you can restore your site if things go wrong, and you don’t want to lose any data. Additionally, always test your changes before finalizing them to ensure they don’t have any unintended consequences.

What makes a WordPress database heavy?

This database can grow over time as WordPress collects new information (such as posts, comments, and pages). The database size affects how quickly WordPress can respond to requests for information.

Conclusion

Keeping your WordPress site running smoothly is essential for visitors’ successful and engaging experiences. By following the 5 steps outlined in this blog, you’ll be on your way to optimizing your WordPress database for improved performance!

Have you tried any of the optimization practices discussed? Let us know in the comments below!