Top Best-Practices to Enhance Performance of Node.js Apps
Tags: node, performance, bestpractices
Published: 2023-04-11 11:33:50

Slow-loading apps or apps with poor performance can lead to a negative user experience, ultimately leading to lost revenue for businesses. Therefore, it is crucial to enhance app performance continually. Node.js is considered the most popular tool for developing server applications in JavaScript. It is also the world's most widely used programming language. Today, Node.js is a critical tool for all microservices-based development and delivery. It has the capabilities of both a web server and an application server.

Node.js can help developers enhance app performance in several ways: it supports asynchronous programming, which enables developers to write code that executes simultaneously, further improving performance. Its modular design makes writing clean, maintainable, and scalable code easy.

## Best-Practices to Improve Node.js Application Performance:

As you can see, Node.js plays a crucial role in helping enhance app performance — a significant undertaking in today's cut-throat market. So, here are some best practices to help you do just that:

- **Use perf hooks to measure runtime performance**: Using perf hooks to measure runtime performance is a best practice for improving app performance with Node.js. Perf hooks provide a way to track and analyze app performance metrics, such as CPU usage, memory consumption, and network activity. With this data, developers can identify performance bottlenecks, optimize code, and improve overall app performance. Perf hooks are easy to use and can be integrated into existing development workflows, making them a valuable tool for any Node.js developer looking to build high-performance apps.
- **Caching to maintain load balance**: Caching is a powerful technique for maintaining load balance and improving app performance. By storing frequently accessed data in memory, caching reduces the need to make repeated requests to a server, which can significantly reduce the app's response time. This results in faster app performance and better user experience. Caching can be used to cache database queries, API responses, and other data types. Node.js has several caching libraries, such as Redis and Memcached, that can be easily integrated into an app's architecture to optimize performance and ensure load balance.
- **Use HTTP/2 and SSL/TLS**: HTTP/2 and SSL/TLS can significantly improve an app's performance by enhancing security, reducing latency, and improving data transfer speeds. With HTTP/2, multiple requests can be sent and received simultaneously, reducing the number of round trips required to load a page. SSL/TLS provides secure data transfer, essential for protecting user data and increasing user trust. SSL/TLS can improve performance by enabling browser caching, reducing server load, and decreasing the time required to establish a connection. Implementing HTTP/2 and SSL/TLS is a best practice for improving app performance and ensuring a secure user experience.
- **Put WebSocket to work**: Leveraging WebSockets effectively enhances app performance by enabling real-time communication between a server and a client. WebSockets establish a persistent connection between the client and server, allowing data to be exchanged quickly and efficiently. It eliminates the need for repeated HTTP requests, reducing latency and improving the overall user experience. WebSockets can be used for various real-time applications like chat, gaming, and stock market updates. Node.js has several WebSocket libraries, such as Socket.io and ws, that can be easily integrated into an app's architecture to enhance performance.

Enhancing app performance is crucial for delivering a positive user experience, and Node.js provides several features to achieve this goal. Leveraging caching, perf hooks, and implementing HTTP/2, SSL/TLS, and WebSockets are just a few best practices to enhance app performance with Node.js. If you need help optimizing your app's performance, consider hiring a professional [Node.js development company](https://www.rishabhsoft.com/nodejs-development-services).