10 Eco-friendly coding practices for SMBs to reduce costs

As the world continues to prioritise sustainability, businesses of all sizes are seeking ways to reduce their environmental footprint. For small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs), embracing eco-friendly coding practices not only contributes to a healthier planet but also helps in reducing operational costs. With data centres accounting for approximately 1% of global electricity consumption and the increasing demand for green solutions, optimising software for energy efficiency is more critical than ever. Here’s a guide on ten eco-friendly coding practices that can benefit your business.

By adopting these practices, SMBs can not only reduce their carbon footprint but also align with consumer preferences. According to a Nielsen report, 66% of global consumers are willing to pay more for sustainable goods, highlighting the potential market advantage for eco-conscious businesses. Sustainable software development practices can also enhance your brand's reputation and drive growth, as discussed in our blog on 9 Ways industry-leading software can grow your business. At SmartPandas, we are committed to offering eco-friendly software development solutions that not only reduce costs but also support sustainable growth for your business.

For startups and SMBs looking to remain competitive while embracing sustainability, integrating eco-friendly coding practices can play a pivotal role. These practices, such as optimising code and utilising cloud resources wisely, can contribute to more efficient operations, reduce energy consumption, and ensure your business stays ahead in an increasingly eco-conscious market. Discover more strategies in our article on 10 Key features every SMB web application should have to build a strong foundation for your digital presence.

1. Optimise code for energy efficiency

Efficient coding isn’t just about speed; it’s also about reducing the energy consumption of your software. According to a study by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, data centres account for about 1% of global electricity consumption, and optimised code can reduce energy use by up to 50%. Writing clean, efficient code not only lowers energy usage but also reduces the operational costs of maintaining servers. For more insight into how high-performing software can drive your business, read our blog on 7 Methods for improving software performance for SMBs.

Start by using algorithms that require less computational power. For example, choosing the right data structures and avoiding unnecessary loops can make a big difference. Additionally, minimising the use of background processes and optimising your app’s performance can reduce the energy consumption of users’ devices, contributing to a lower carbon footprint.

2. Utilise cloud computing wisely

Cloud computing offers significant environmental benefits, primarily through the efficient use of resources. According to a study by Microsoft and WSP, cloud computing can be up to 93% more energy-efficient and up to 98% more carbon-efficient compared to on-site data centres. Leveraging cloud services allows SMBs to scale their computing power as needed, avoiding the waste associated with underused on-premises servers. For more on how cloud solutions can benefit your business, explore our cloud solutions services.

When selecting a cloud provider, consider those committed to renewable energy sources. Companies like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon have made substantial investments in renewable energy, ensuring that their data centres are as green as possible. Additionally, use services like auto-scaling to ensure you’re only using the resources you need, further reducing waste and cost.

3. Implement green coding standards

Green coding standards help ensure that your development process prioritises energy efficiency and sustainability. The Green Software Foundation, for example, provides a set of principles and guidelines for creating sustainable software. Implementing these standards can lead to significant cost savings; efficient code requires less processing power and memory, reducing the demand on your infrastructure and lowering your energy bills. SmartPandas follows these best practices to ensure eco-friendly and efficient software solutions for our clients.

Training your development team in these standards can lead to a culture of sustainability that benefits both the environment and your bottom line. Incorporating these standards into your development lifecycle can also improve the overall quality of your software, making it more maintainable and efficient.

4. Utilise energy-efficient hardware

The hardware you use to develop and run your applications plays a critical role in your overall energy consumption. Investing in energy-efficient servers, computers, and networking equipment can reduce your carbon footprint and lower your electricity bills. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Energy Star-certified servers can be up to 30% more energy-efficient than standard servers.

Moreover, consider virtualising your servers. By running multiple virtual machines on a single physical server, you can maximise the use of your hardware and reduce the number of physical machines required. This not only saves energy but also reduces the cooling needs of your data centre, further cutting costs. For an in-depth look at how better hardware and software synergy can boost your business, check out our blog on 9 Ways industry-leading software can grow your business.

5. Adopt a microservices architecture

A microservices architecture allows you to break down your application into smaller, independent services. This approach can lead to more efficient resource utilisation, as each service can be scaled independently based on demand. According to a report by IBM, adopting a microservices architecture can lead to a 30% reduction in infrastructure costs.

Microservices enable more efficient use of server resources, reducing the need for over-provisioning and minimising waste. Additionally, by isolating services, you can optimise each one for performance, further enhancing energy efficiency. This modular approach also simplifies maintenance and scaling, leading to long-term cost savings. To learn how microservices can be incorporated into your business, explore our web application development services.

6. Utilise efficient data storage solutions

Data storage is a significant contributor to the energy consumption of any IT infrastructure. Techniques such as data deduplication, compression, and tiered storage can help minimise the amount of physical storage needed. According to a study by the Carbon Trust, implementing efficient data storage solutions can reduce energy consumption by up to 60%.

Deduplication reduces the amount of duplicate data stored, while compression reduces the size of the data. Tiered storage involves placing frequently accessed data on high-performance, energy-efficient storage, and less frequently accessed data on slower, more energy-efficient storage. These techniques can significantly reduce the energy consumption of your storage infrastructure, lowering both costs and environmental impact.

7. Implement continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD)

CI/CD practices can enhance the efficiency of your development process, reducing waste and improving the overall quality of your software. By automating the build, test, and deployment processes, you can ensure that your code is always in a deployable state. According to a report by Puppet, companies that implement CI/CD practices can reduce their lead time for changes by 440 times and their change failure rate by five times.

Automated testing ensures that only the necessary tests are run, minimising the use of computational resources. Additionally, by deploying updates more frequently, you can ensure that your application is always running the most efficient code, further reducing energy consumption. This not only improves software quality but also contributes to lower operational costs. Learn more about how CI/CD can be integrated into your project through our MVP development services.

8. Utilise energy-efficient coding languages

Some programming languages are more energy-efficient than others. According to a study by the University of Minho, languages like C, Rust, and Go are generally more energy-efficient than languages like Java, Python, and Ruby. Choosing the right language for your application can have a significant impact on your energy consumption.

When selecting a language, consider both its energy efficiency and its suitability for your project. While energy-efficient languages can reduce your overall energy consumption, it’s also important to choose a language that allows you to write efficient, maintainable code. Balancing these factors can help you develop sustainable software that meets your business needs.

9. Optimise database queries

Efficient database queries are essential for reducing the energy consumption of your applications. Poorly optimised queries can lead to excessive CPU and memory usage, increasing the energy required to run your database servers. According to a study by the University of Southern California, optimising database queries can reduce energy consumption by up to 30%.

Techniques such as indexing, query rewriting, and caching can help improve the efficiency of your database queries. Indexing can speed up data retrieval, reducing the CPU and memory usage of your queries. Query rewriting involves restructuring your queries to make them more efficient, while caching stores frequently accessed data in memory, reducing the need for repeated database access. These techniques can lead to significant energy savings, lowering both costs and environmental impact.

10. Encourage a culture of sustainability

Creating a culture of sustainability within your organisation is essential for long-term success. Encourage your development team to prioritise energy efficiency and sustainability in their work. According to a report by the Harvard Business Review, companies with a strong culture of sustainability see higher employee engagement and retention rates. For tips on fostering a culture of innovation and sustainability, read our article on how to foster a culture of innovation in a small business.

Provide training on eco-friendly coding practices, set sustainability goals, and recognise and reward efforts to reduce energy consumption. By fostering a culture of sustainability, you can ensure that your team is always looking for ways to improve the efficiency of your software. This can lead to continuous improvements in energy efficiency, reducing both your environmental impact and operational costs over time.

Wrapping up…

By adopting these eco-friendly coding practices, SMBs can contribute to a more sustainable future while also reaping significant cost savings. As the demand for sustainable solutions grows, businesses that prioritise energy efficiency and environmental responsibility will be well-positioned to succeed in an increasingly eco-conscious market. For more insights on sustainable software practices, check out our Tech Consulting Services or reach out to SmartPandas to explore how we can help your business adopt eco-friendly practices.