In web hosting, a process limit refers to the maximum number of simultaneous processes a user account can run on a server. This is a crucial resource control mechanism that ensures server stability and fair resource distribution among all hosted accounts.

Each time your website performs an action—like executing a PHP script, connecting to a database, or handling a visitor request—it starts a process. Common examples include:

• PHP-FPM or CGI processes for dynamic content
• Cron jobs running scheduled tasks
• Email delivery processes sending newsletters
• Background applications or custom scripts

When your account hits its process limit, new processes cannot start until existing ones complete. This typically results in:

• Website errors (like 508 Resource Limit Reached)
• Slow loading pages or timeouts
• Failed email deliveries
• Cron jobs not executing

To optimize process usage, consider these strategies:

1. Optimize your code and database queries to run efficiently
2. Space out cron jobs instead of running them simultaneously
3. Use caching mechanisms to reduce PHP execution
4. Monitor your process usage through your hosting control panel

If you consistently reach your limit, you may need to upgrade your hosting plan or work with your provider to identify and resolve the specific processes consuming excessive resources. Understanding and managing your process usage is key to maintaining optimal website performance.