At this:matters, performance has always been our focus—and with our new hosting infrastructure, we are taking the next big step. The foundation on which our WordPressand WooCommerce projects run has been completely modernized: faster, more stable, and technically on par with the systems of major platforms such as Amazon, Digitec, and Netflix.
Our new server architecture is designed to operate reliably even under high loads. Modern hardware, optimized network latencies, and multi-level caching ensure that every request is processed as efficiently as possible.
We now rely on Redis in combination with Relay as standard – directly integrated and without additional setup. This technology significantly speeds up database queries while reducing the load on the server.
Combined with our deep integration with Cloudflare, this creates a hosting environment that offers enterprise-level performance, stability, and security—specifically optimized for WordPress.
More power, fewer disruptions
Speed is not only achieved through powerful servers, but also through smart caching and efficient data streams.
Our new hosting architecture therefore works even more closely with Cloudflare to deliver content where it can be accessed most quickly: directly at the edge of the network. Cloudflare handles edge caching for static files, filters out unwanted traffic, and ensures that genuine visitors get full performance without any detours.
On the server side, the interaction between Redis and Relay ensures that even dynamic content—such as product pages, shopping carts, or customized areas—can be delivered at lightning speed.
Redis acts as an ultra-fast in-memory cache that stores frequently used data directly in RAM. Relay further optimizes this process by accelerating the connection between PHP and Redis and enabling caching mechanisms for dynamic WordPress content as well.
Our customers don't need to set up or configure anything. All components work together automatically and provide the necessary performance exactly when it is needed. The result is hosting that simply works – fast, reliable, and without technical ballast. Whether it's a news site or a high-demand WooCommerce store, the infrastructure responds flexibly to peak loads and remains stable, even when there is a lot to do.
Protection against unwanted traffic
In addition to pure speed, safety also plays a key role.
Today, around 30 to 40 percent of global web traffic no longer comes from real users, but from automated bots—many of which are harmless, while others are specifically designed to collect data or carry out attacks. Our infrastructure detects and blocks this traffic at an early stage: suspicious requests are stopped at the edge level before they even reach the server.
This leaves the full computing power for what really matters—for real visitors who read content, shop, or interact with the website.
Smart tools for complete control
Modern infrastructure can only reach its full potential when it is intelligently controlled and continuously analyzed. To this end, we have developed three tools that are deeply integrated into our system and actively support our hosting services.
this:matters Optimizer – The heart of automation
The this:matters Optimizer is at the heart of our automation. It coordinates how servers, WordPress, and Cloudflare work together to deliver each page as efficiently as possible. The plugin takes care of many processes that would otherwise be manual or time-consuming—from targeted cache purging to optimized server headers.
In addition, the Optimizer includes numerous little helpers that specifically speed up WordPress and WooCommerce and simplify the user experience for our customers.
Dr.FLARE Reloaded – A classic with a new look
With Dr.FLARE Reloaded , we have brought back a tool that has been with us for years. The original version of Dr.FLARE was an indispensable analysis tool for us for a long time until it disappeared from the Chrome Web Store – a noticeable setback.
We then forked the project, improved it, and completely rebuilt it.
Dr.FLARE Reloaded shows directly in the browser how Cloudflare requests are processed, which resources are cached, and where there is still potential for optimization. It helps us—and others in the future—to better understand the interaction between the website, server, and Cloudflare.
this:matters portal – Analysis instead of gut feeling
The internal this:matters portal allows us to keep an eye on our entire hosting landscape. It shows how websites perform on a daily basis: which pages are particularly active, how effective caching is, and where server load occurs.
The portal does not show us numbers for the sake of numbers, but provides concrete decision-making bases. It helps us to improve performance in a targeted manner, recognize patterns, and solve problems before they are even noticed.
In short, it replaces gut feeling with clear data—and ensures that every project runs at peak performance over the long term.
Noticeable results in everyday life
Since the introduction of the new infrastructure, the difference has been clear—not only in our measurements, but also in the feedback we receive from our customers.
Many have already noticed that their websites respond faster, page views run more smoothly, and shop orders go through without delays. The effects are clearly measurable, especially with larger WordPress and WooCommerce projects:
Checkouts remain stable, pages load noticeably faster, and even with high visitor traffic, performance remains consistently high.
Our customers benefit from hosting that not only impresses technically, but also simply works in everyday use—fast, secure, and optimised with foresight.
Looking ahead: PHP 8.5
Our entire hosting infrastructure currently runs on PHP 8.4 —modern, stable, and with excellent performance.
But with PHP 8.5, the next major update is already in the starting blocks, and it brings real improvements.
While 8.4 made many processes more efficient, 8.5 goes significantly further:
The new version optimizes the JIT compiler (just-in-time compilation) so that complex calculations and recurring functions are executed noticeably faster. Initial tests show that this can achieve up to 10 times faster processing speeds for certain processes—a benefit that is particularly noticeable in data-intensive WordPress or WooCommerce projects.
PHP 8.5 also improves memory management: less overhead, lower RAM consumption, and more stable processes under load.
In concrete terms, this means even shorter loading times, lower server load, and more reserves for peak times.
The new version also offers numerous improvements in the area of security, such as more consistent type checking and better standard protection against unsafe entries.
As managed hosting customers, our users don't have to worry about a thing. We test PHP 8.5 extensively in-house for compatibility, performance, and stability. Once the version has passed our quality and security checks, it is automatically activated in all managed environments—without any intervention or conversion on the customer's part.
In short: PHP 8.5 offers the same stability as 8.4, but with significantly more speed, better efficiency, and an additional security bonus.
Conclusion
With the new hosting infrastructure, we at this:matters have created a foundation that is technically state-of-the-art—and makes a real difference in everyday life.
Our server architecture works closely with Cloudflare, filtering unwanted traffic and delivering content faster than ever before.
Redis and Relay efficiently cache even dynamic WordPress and WooCommerce pages, ensuring that visitors always have a smooth experience—even when demand is high.
The whole process is supported by our own tools: the this:matters Optimizer, which intelligently controls communication between the server, WordPress, and Cloudflare; Dr.FLARE Reloaded, which helps us with daily analysis; and the internal portal, which gives us a precise view of performance and utilization.
For our customers, this means:
Hosting that automatically adapts, actively protects, and constantly optimizes—without you having to do anything. And with the upcoming switch to PHP 8.5, this foundation will become even faster, more secure, and more efficient.
Our goal remains unchanged: WordPress hosting at the highest level that simply works—reliable, forward-thinking, and with a genuine passion for performance.
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