What is Cache and Why it Matters

If you’ve ever updated your radio station website and then hit refresh only to see the same old content staring back at you, don’t worry — you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common (and often confusing) parts of how websites work: the cache.

So, let’s break it down in plain English.

What is Cache, Anyway?

The idea of a “cache” (pronounced “cash”) goes back to 1967, when IBM engineer Lyle R. Johnson wrote about it in the IBM Systems Journal. It’s pretty simple: cache is just a place to temporarily store things that are used often, so they can be retrieved faster later.

Think about it this way: If I ask you what 5 × 4 is, you probably won’t do the math in your head — you just know it’s 20. That’s because your brain has cached the answer.

Websites work in a similar way. Instead of redoing all the heavy lifting every time someone visits, they use caching to store the finished result, so it loads instantly next time.

Why is Caching So Important for Your Station’s Website?

Radio station websites get thousands (or even millions) of visits every month. Every time someone opens your site, the server has to:

• Pull articles and images
• Figure out who’s on air
• Check events and weather
• Load banner ads and widgets

All these little tasks take processing power. But often, the end result — the page your listener sees — doesn’t change minute to minute. So caching stores these finished pages or bits of data and serves them up instantly to the next visitor.

This doesn’t just keep your listeners happy (no one likes waiting for pages to load); it also boosts your site’s SEO and helps your site handle big traffic spikes without crashing.

The Main Types of Website Caching

Without getting too geeky, caching happens on two main levels: in the browser (on your device) and on the server (where your website lives).

1. Browser Cache

When someone visits your site, their browser saves bits and pieces like:

• Images (station logos, promo pics)
• HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files (the building blocks of the site)

This means that when they come back later or hit the back button, the browser doesn’t need to download everything again. It simply pulls these files from the local cache, making your site appear almost instantly.

Want to see this in action?

• Open a site you haven’t visited in a while, like our demo station https://www.rocketdailynews.com. Notice how it takes a second or two to load?
• Now click over to any other site, then hit the back button. Watch how fast Rocket Daily News pops in — that’s your browser cache at work!  It didn’t reload everything again, but rather pulled from files saved on your device.

2. Server Cache

This happens behind the scenes. When your server gets a request to show a page, it builds it — pulling in articles, banners, audio streams, weather, and so on.

With caching turned on, the server saves this assembled page so that next time someone asks for it, it doesn’t have to rebuild it from scratch. This dramatically speeds up load times for all visitors, not just repeat ones. It also helps your website survive big traffic surges without slowing down.

What About CDNs?

A Content Delivery Network (CDN) adds a layer by storing copies of your website on servers located around the globe. So if a soldier overseas pulls up your site to see what’s happening back home, the CDN delivers it from a server nearby — not halfway around the world.

This means faster load times, reduced strain on your main server, and additional protection from cyberattacks. (If you’re not using a CDN yet, there are free options like Cloudflare that make a huge difference.)

Why You Might Not See Updates Immediately

Caching is fantastic… until it keeps showing you old content. This is usually what happens if you change something on your website but don’t see the change reflected right away.

Here’s why:

1. Your Browser Cache

Your computer might still be holding onto the old files. A quick fix:

• On Windows: Press CTRL + SHIFT + DEL, check “cached images and files,” then clear.
• On Safari: Click “History” > “Clear History.”
• Or just add something like ?test123 to your URL, e.g. https://www.rocketdailynews.com?test123 — your browser treats it like a totally new page.

2. The Website’s Cache

If you’re using WordPress, it probably has a caching plugin (like Litespeed, WP Rocket or W3 Total Cache). Sometimes these hang onto old versions a little too long. Purging (or clearing) the cache from your admin panel usually does the trick.

3. The Server or CDN Cache

If your host or CDN stores cached versions of your site, they might also need to be cleared to show your latest updates everywhere. Good tools and plugins will automatically clear all layers of cache when you update your site.

Bottom Line: Cache = Speed

Caching is one of the main reasons your website loads quickly and doesn’t overload your server (which could lead to higher hosting bills). It’s a silent workhorse making sure your listeners get a smooth experience.

If you notice that your updates don’t show up instantly, give it a minute, clear your cache, and you’ll almost always see your fresh content.

The Takeaway: Caching is your website’s best friend — it keeps your station site fast, your listeners happy, and your server running lean. The next time you see an old image or outdated show info after an update, remember: it’s probably just the cache doing its job a little too well. A quick refresh (or a cleared cache) usually sets things right.