Scaling Check: Don't Assume the Tech Fundamentals Are Covered

When looking to scale an existing solution, it's easy to focus on big architectural changes or adding new features. However, don't assume the basic technological fundamentals have already been addressed, even if the application "works". I've seen basic optimizations missing as recently as 2023, leading to poor performance, wasted resources, and degraded user experiences.

Here are a few examples concerning server performance that often get overlooked:

HTTP/2: If not enabled, users are typically limited to downloading only ~6 files concurrently over separate connections, instead of benefiting from a virtually unlimited multiplexed connection. This directly impacts load times and perceived performance, especially on pages with many assets. Enabling it is often just a server configuration change.
Network Compression (GZIP/Brotli/Zstd): Failing to enable network compression means you're sending potentially 3x-10x more data over the network than necessary. This costs you bandwidth and compute, and it costs your users time (and potentially data charges). Standard web servers make enabling this straightforward.
Image Compression/Optimization: Static images committed to a repository without optimization can be huge sources of bloat. Using standard command-line tools (like imagemin or sharp libraries) in build pipelines or even git hooks can automate significant savings in storage and bandwidth, drastically speeding up load times.
Cache Headers: Properly configured cache headers (like Cache-Control and Expires) for static or infrequently changing resources tell the browser it doesn't need to re-request them for a specified period. This simple step saves server load, reduces bandwidth usage, and makes return visits much faster for users by eliminating unnecessary network requests.

These are just a few examples, often requiring only minor configuration changes or installing a single utility, yet they yield a massive impact on performance and efficiency. While many experienced developers might consider these table stakes, they aren't universally implemented.

The Takeaway: Before diving deep into complex scaling solutions, perform a quick audit of the fundamentals. Just because something works doesn't mean it's working efficiently or providing the best possible user experience. Fixing the basics can often provide significant gains with relatively little effort.