Want your site to run without slowdowns? Frontend work with JavaScript is often straightforward, but the backend can get complicated. That’s where Node.js steps in. It lets you build server-side applications with a language you’re already familiar with. For example, when implementing Node.js in a WooCommerce store, caching helped withstand the load during the New Year's sale. Traffic jumped threefold, yet the pages loaded without any hiccups.
Node.js allows you to create servers that handle hundreds of requests per second without delays or downtime. Netflix relies on it for streaming, Uber for real-time updates. But it’s not just for giants—small online stores can face traffic surges too, and Node.js with caching ensures stability even under pressure.
Put simply: Node.js makes backend development easier.
What about NPM (Node Package Manager)? It’s your toolkit for connecting ready-made libraries. For example, if you need image uploads for a blog, Node.js manages the logic, while NPM lets you plug in multer and set it up fast—no need to start from scratch.
NPM streamlines your development process.
Node.js is the engine that runs your JavaScript on the server. NPM equips you with tools to integrate pre-built libraries. Imagine a site with image uploads: Node.js powers the backend, while NPM’s multer simplifies file handling. They complement each other perfectly.
Here’s a simple way to begin:
node -v— displays the Node.js version.
npm -v— displays the NPM version.
npm install express
app.js:console.log('Hello from Node.js!');node app.jsand see the message in the terminal.
Need hosting for Node.js? Hostiserver provides servers with pre-configured Nginx and caching—ideal for high-traffic applications. I had a client with a chat app that gained a 40% speed boost using their CDN. Another store I worked on dropped load times from 2 seconds to 0.5 seconds.
Curious about VPS? See What’s a VPS and Do You Need One?. For more, check out Running Node.js on a VPS.
Looking to level up? Here's what we recommend:
For added security, use dotenv to manage sensitive data. Store keys in a .env file:
require('dotenv').config();
const apiKey = process.env.API_KEY;This keeps your credentials secure.
Node.js and NPM are your go-to tools for building modern apps efficiently. Node.js powers the core, while NPM offers handy shortcuts. Set up Node.js and start your first server today—it’s easier than it seems! With Hostiserver, your app will stay reliable.
nodemailer sets up emails in minutes.mongoose for MongoDB or sequelize for MySQL—both are solid choices.Here’s an Express example:
const express = require('express');
const app = express();
app.get('/api/users', (req, res) => {
res.json([{ name: "Alex" }, { name: "Irina" }]);
});
app.listen(3000, () => console.log('API is running'));Options: Fastify for performance, Nest.js for bigger projects.
If the port’s in use, clear it:
killall -9 node