When we set out to build INNOVA Marketplace, we knew it needed to handle thousands of vendors, millions of products, and peak traffic during holidays and sales events. Here's how we architected our Laravel application for scale.
Database Design Matters
We started with proper database design, using strategic indexing, query optimization, and read replicas for heavy report workloads. Laravel's Eloquent makes it easy to implement read/write database splitting with just a few configuration changes.
Caching Strategy
We implemented a multi-layer caching strategy: route caching for static pages, query caching for frequently accessed data, and Redis for session storage and real-time features like live notifications.
Queue Everything
Email notifications, image processing, search indexing, and analytics — anything that doesn't need an immediate response goes into Laravel's queue system. This keeps response times snappy and improves overall user experience.
Key Takeaways
Start with a solid foundation, measure everything, and optimize based on data, not assumptions. Laravel provides all the tools you need — the key is knowing when and how to use them effectively.