In March 2024, Mosaics Boutique & Tea, a cherished Chicago-based tea boutique, faced a critical situation when their website went offline due to exceeded server resource limits.
Recognizing the urgency of the matter, Sitemasons swiftly intervened to diagnose and resolve the issue, ensuring minimal disruption to the boutique’s online operations and sales.
The Client: Mosaics Boutique & Tea
Located at 10448 S Kedzie Ave, Chicago, Mosaics Boutique & Tea offers an extensive selection of over 88 premium loose-leaf teas from around the world. The boutique is renowned for its inviting atmosphere, personalized tea tasting experiences, and a curated collection of high-end fashion items in the adjoining boutique.
As an e-commerce platform, their website serves as a vital channel for showcasing products, facilitating online sales, and engaging with a broader customer base.
The Challenge: Website Downtime Due to Exceeded Server Resources
On March 18, 2024, Leslie, the owner of Mosaics Boutique & Tea, reported that their website was inaccessible. The site was hosted on SiteGround, which had suspended it due to the monthly CPU seconds limit being exceeded. An analysis of the server resource usage revealed a significant spike, with daily CPU usage surpassing the 10,000-second threshold. This not only rendered the website offline but also restricted access to the WordPress dashboard, complicating immediate remediation efforts.
Our Approach: Swift Diagnosis and Resolution
Understanding the critical nature of the situation for an e-commerce business, Sitemasons adopted a methodical approach to restore the website promptly:
- Coordinating with SiteGround for Temporary Access: We contacted SiteGround to request a temporary lift of the suspension, enabling us to access the backend and initiate troubleshooting.
- Analyzing Server Logs: Upon gaining access, our team examined the server’s error logs to identify the root cause of the excessive CPU usage.
- Identifying Malicious Bot Activity: The analysis revealed that bots from Amazon and Semrush were aggressively crawling the site, leading to the surge in CPU consumption.
Solutions Implemented: Mitigating Bot-Induced Resource Drain
To address the immediate issue and prevent future occurrences, we implemented the following measures:
- Updating robots.txt via RankMath: Utilizing the RankMath SEO plugin, we modified the robots.txt file to disallow the identified bots from crawling the site:
User-agent: SemrushBot Disallow: / User-agent: Amazonbot Disallow: /
- Implementing .htaccess Rules: To further enforce these restrictions, we edited the .htaccess file to block the bots at the server level:
<IfModule mod_rewrite.c>
RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTP_USER_AGENT} ^SemrushBot [NC,OR]
RewriteCond %{HTTP_USER_AGENT} ^Amazonbot [NC]
RewriteRule .* - [F,L]
</IfModule>
The Results: Rapid Recovery and Enhanced Website Stability
The implementation of these solutions led to an immediate reduction in CPU usage, bringing it back within acceptable limits. Consequently, the website was restored to full functionality within hours, allowing Mosaics Boutique & Tea to resume online operations without significant disruption.
Client Testimonial
“You saved me from losing so many sales this week. I couldn’t even access the dashboard, and you guys got it back online in no time. I’m really impressed!”
— Leslie, Owner of Mosaics Boutique & Tea
Key Takeaways
- Proactive Monitoring: Regular monitoring of server resources is essential to detect and address unusual activity before it impacts website performance.
- Effective Bot Management: Implementing measures to control bot access can prevent unnecessary strain on server resources and maintain site stability.
- Collaborative Hosting Support: Establishing a good relationship with hosting providers facilitates swift resolution of technical issues.
Conclusion
Sitemasons’ prompt and strategic response to Mosaics Boutique & Tea’s website downtime not only restored their online presence swiftly but also reinforced the importance of vigilant website management. By addressing the root cause and implementing preventive measures, we ensured the boutique’s e-commerce platform remained robust and reliable, supporting their mission to deliver exceptional tea experiences to their customers.
