Database & Query Optimization
Database and query optimization: MySQL, PostgreSQL, slow queries, indexes, query optimization, Eloquent optimization, joins, aggregations, large datasets, pagination, database structure, N+1, EXPLAIN and caching.
Is your application getting slower as your database grows?
Typical symptoms I help with:
- pages that used to be fast now take seconds to load;
- queries get slower as tables grow, even though the code hasn't changed;
- missing or poorly chosen indexes force full table scans;
- N+1 queries quietly multiply the load behind a single page;
- Eloquent generates inefficient SQL you'd never write by hand;
- joins and aggregations time out on larger datasets;
- pagination breaks down on huge result sets;
- the database structure has grown messy and inconsistent over time;
- the server is fine — the database is the bottleneck;
- no one has ever run EXPLAIN on the slowest queries.
If any of this sounds familiar, you don't need to change frameworks or rewrite the app. You need someone who can find exactly which queries are slow, prove it with EXPLAIN and real measurements, fix the root cause and keep the database fast as it keeps growing.
What I can improve
Database and query optimization, from EXPLAIN to measurable results
I start by profiling the database: which queries run most often, which ones are slowest, which ones scan whole tables and which ones quietly multiply. Then I prioritize by impact, fix the biggest wins first and measure before/after — so improvements are visible, not theoretical.
Work typically covers:
- MySQL — query tuning, indexes, configuration and slow query analysis;
- PostgreSQL — query plans, indexes, statistics and performance tuning;
- Slow queries — identifying, analyzing and fixing the queries that hurt the most;
- Indexes — adding the right ones, removing the wrong ones, avoiding over-indexing;
- Query optimization — rewriting queries so the database does less work;
- Eloquent optimization — eager loading, chunking and avoiding inefficient generated SQL;
- Joins — making joins efficient and avoiding unnecessary ones;
- Aggregations — counts, sums and reports that don't scan the whole table;
- Large datasets — processing and displaying big volumes without loading everything into memory;
- Pagination — efficient pagination that stays fast on deep pages;
- Database structure — schema design, normalization, denormalization where it helps;
- N+1 — detecting and eliminating N+1 patterns;
- EXPLAIN — reading query plans and using them to drive real fixes;
- Caching — query and result caching where it actually makes sense.
The goal isn't micro-optimization for its own sake. It's making your database fast enough to handle growing data, stable under load and cheaper to run — without a rewrite.
Why me
I have 4+ years of commercial experience with Laravel, Symfony and Vue.js, and I work as a Georgian IE on a remote B2B basis — clear contracts, invoices and communication. I focus on business results, not just code, and keep the process transparent with clear estimates and predictable delivery.
Database work is where I'm most useful to existing products. I'm comfortable joining a live codebase, profiling it under real conditions and fixing the queries that actually matter — without breaking what's in production. I work on a small number of projects at a time, so you get direct communication, fast feedback and measurable before/after results.
- Full-stack experience: Laravel / Symfony / Vue.js
- 4+ years of commercial development
- Georgian IE — easy B2B cooperation
- Remote workflow with clear communication
- Focus on measurable before/after results
- Transparent estimates and predictable delivery
- MySQL
- PostgreSQL
- Slow queries
- Indexes
- Query optimization
- Eloquent optimization
- Joins
- Aggregations
- Large datasets
- Pagination
- Database structure
- N+1
- EXPLAIN
- Caching
From first call to delivery.
Audit
Review the database, schema and query patterns.
Profile queries
Find the slowest and most frequent queries with EXPLAIN and logs.
Prioritize
Rank by impact, risk and effort.
Implement
Indexes, query rewrites, Eloquent fixes and caching.
Measure results
Compare before/after: timings, query counts and load.
Frequently asked questions
01 How do you start a database optimization project?
I start with an audit and profiling pass: I measure which queries run most often and which are slowest, using EXPLAIN, logs and real timings, then propose a prioritized plan.
02 Do you work with both MySQL and PostgreSQL?
Yes. I work with MySQL and PostgreSQL — query tuning, indexes, schema design, statistics and configuration — adapting to the strengths of each engine.
03 Can you optimize Eloquent without rewriting the app?
Yes. Most improvements come from targeted changes: eager loading, chunking, better indexes, fixing N+1 and rewriting specific queries — not from a rewrite.
04 How do you prove the improvements?
I measure before and after: query runtimes, number of queries per request, EXPLAIN plans and server load, and share the results with a clear summary.
05 What is your cooperation model?
Remote B2B via Georgian IE. Hourly, fixed project or monthly retainer — depending on the scope.
Is your application getting slower as your database grows?
Tell me what's happening and I'll help you identify the next step.