What Is a Database Index?
A database index is a structure that makes data retrieval dramatically faster. It works like the index of a book — instead of scanning every page, the database can jump straight to the data it needs.
Why indexes matter for SMEs
Many SME systems in London, Hertfordshire and Essex slow down over time as datasets grow. Reports, job lists, dashboards or customer lookups may feel sluggish.
Indexes can improve performance by:
- Speeding up filters (e.g., by date, status, customer)
- Improving searches and reporting queries
- Reducing CPU load on the server
- Making large datasets feel instant again
Types of indexes
- Clustered index — controls the physical order of data
- Non-clustered index — improves searches and filters
- Filtered index — great for active/inactive or status-driven data
- Full-text index — improves text searching
When to use indexing
Indexing helps when:
- Pages feel slow
- CPU usage is high
- Reports take too long
- Your database grows beyond a few hundred thousand rows