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Alva Digital Downloads

Storage Limits & Quotas

Understand your storage allocation, how to monitor usage, and how to manage your storage effectively.

Understanding Storage Quotas

Section titled “Understanding Storage Quotas”

Every Alva Digital Downloads plan includes a storage allocation for your digital files. This is the total amount of data you can store in the cloud.

Storage by Plan

Section titled “Storage by Plan”
PlanStorage AllocationMax File Size
Free/Starter1.5 GB1.5GB
Basic35 GB35 GB
Pro350 GB350 GB
Enterprise1.5 TB1 TB

Note: Plans and limits may vary. Check your current plan in the app dashboard.

What Counts Toward Storage

Section titled “What Counts Toward Storage”

Included in Storage Quota ✅

Section titled “Included in Storage Quota ✅”
  • Uploaded Files: All individual files you upload
  • Pack Files: Files included in packs (counted once, even if in multiple packs)
  • ZIP Cache Files: Generated ZIP files for product downloads
  • File Versions: Multiple versions of the same file count separately

NOT Included in Storage Quota ❌

Section titled “NOT Included in Storage Quota ❌”
  • Shopify Data: Product images, store data
  • Email Logs: Email delivery records
  • Metadata: Database records, order information
  • Temporary Files: Processing files (deleted after processing)

Checking Your Storage Usage

Section titled “Checking Your Storage Usage”

From Dashboard

Section titled “From Dashboard”
  1. Open Alva Digital Downloads app
  2. View Storage Used card on dashboard

Displays:

  • Current usage in GB
  • Total allocation
  • Percentage used
  • Color-coded status:
    • 🟢 Green: Under 75%
    • 🟡 Yellow: 75-90%
    • 🔴 Red: Over 90%

From Files & Packs Page

Section titled “From Files & Packs Page”
  1. Navigate to Files & Packs
  2. Storage meter appears at top of page

Shows:

  • Total files uploaded
  • Total storage used
  • Breakdown by file type (Documents, Images, Videos, etc.)

Detailed Storage Breakdown

Section titled “Detailed Storage Breakdown”

View storage by category:

**[Image: Storage analytics showing:

  • Documents: 8.2 GB (54%)
  • Images: 4.1 GB (27%)
  • Videos: 2.5 GB (16%)
  • Audio: 0.5 GB (3%)]**

Access via:

  1. Settings → Storage
  2. Or Files & Packs → Storage Details

Storage Warning Alerts

Section titled “Storage Warning Alerts”

The app automatically alerts you when approaching storage limits:

75% Capacity

Section titled “75% Capacity”
  • Informational alert
  • Time to start planning
  • Review large files

90% Capacity

Section titled “90% Capacity”
  • Warning alert
  • Upload may slow down
  • Upgrade recommended

100% Capacity

Section titled “100% Capacity”
  • Critical alert
  • Cannot upload new files
  • Must free space or upgrade

Managing Storage Efficiently

Section titled “Managing Storage Efficiently”

Strategy 1: Delete Unused Files

Section titled “Strategy 1: Delete Unused Files”

Identify and remove files no longer needed:

Find Unmapped Files

Section titled “Find Unmapped Files”

Files not linked to any products:

  1. Go to Files & Packs
  2. Open file details for each file
  3. Check “Associated Products” section
  4. If empty and no recent downloads → safe to delete

Find Old Versions

Section titled “Find Old Versions”
  1. Search for files with version numbers in title
  2. Sort by date (oldest first)
  3. Delete outdated versions
  4. Keep only latest version

Find Duplicate Files

Section titled “Find Duplicate Files”
  1. Sort files by name
  2. Look for similar filenames
  3. Compare file sizes and dates
  4. Delete duplicates

Strategy 2: Optimize File Sizes

Section titled “Strategy 2: Optimize File Sizes”

Reduce file sizes without deleting:

For Images

Section titled “For Images”

Before optimization: 5 MB After optimization: 500 KB (90% reduction)

Tools:

  • TinyPNG (PNG/JPG compression)
  • ImageOptim (Mac)
  • Squoosh (Web-based)

Methods:

  • Reduce resolution (e.g., 4000px → 2000px)
  • Lower quality slightly (95% → 85%)
  • Convert PNG to JPG where appropriate
  • Use WebP format

For PDFs

Section titled “For PDFs”

Before: 15 MB After: 3 MB (80% reduction)

Tools:

  • Adobe Acrobat (Reduce File Size)
  • Online PDF compressors
  • Print to PDF with lower quality

Methods:

  • Compress embedded images
  • Remove hidden data/metadata
  • Reduce image resolution
  • Remove unnecessary pages

For Videos

Section titled “For Videos”

Before: 500 MB After: 100 MB (80% reduction)

Tools:

  • HandBrake
  • Adobe Media Encoder
  • Online video compressors

Methods:

  • Use H.264 codec
  • Lower bitrate (e.g., 2000 kbps → 1000 kbps)
  • Reduce resolution if acceptable (1080p → 720p)
  • Adjust frame rate if appropriate

For Audio

Section titled “For Audio”

Before: 50 MB After: 10 MB (80% reduction)

Methods:

  • Use MP3 instead of WAV
  • Lower bitrate (320 kbps → 128 kbps)
  • Convert to mono if stereo not needed
  • Use variable bitrate (VBR)

Strategy 3: Archive Old Files

Section titled “Strategy 3: Archive Old Files”

For files you want to keep but rarely use:

  1. Download to local storage

    • Keep personal backup

  2. Delete from app

    • Free up cloud storage

  3. Re-upload if needed later

    • Upload when customer requests it

Best for:

  • Seasonal products
  • Limited-time offers (expired)
  • Legacy products (no longer sold)
Section titled “Strategy 4: Use External Links (Advanced)”

For very large files:

  1. Host large files on your own server or cloud storage
  2. Provide download links in product description or separate email
  3. Use Alva for smaller complementary files

Pros:

  • No storage limits
  • You control files

Cons:

  • More manual work
  • Less integrated experience
  • Requires technical setup

Understanding ZIP Cache Storage

Section titled “Understanding ZIP Cache Storage”

What is ZIP Cache?

Section titled “What is ZIP Cache?”

When you map multiple files to a product, the app generates a ZIP file for download. This ZIP is cached (stored) to avoid regenerating it for every download.

How ZIP Cache Affects Storage

Section titled “How ZIP Cache Affects Storage”

Each unique product mapping creates a cached ZIP:

Example:

  • Product A: 3 files (2 GB total) → ZIP: ~2 GB cached
  • Total storage used: 4 GB (original files + ZIP)

Managing ZIP Cache

Section titled “Managing ZIP Cache”

ZIP files are automatically:

  • Regenerated: When you change mapped files
  • Versioned: Old versions deleted, new version cached
  • Optimized: Compression applied to reduce size

To manually clear ZIP cache:

  1. Edit product mapping
  2. Save without changes (forces ZIP regeneration)
  3. Old cache deleted, new one created

Upgrading Your Storage Plan

Section titled “Upgrading Your Storage Plan”

When to Upgrade

Section titled “When to Upgrade”

Consider upgrading if:

  • ✅ Consistently above 80% capacity
  • ✅ Uploading large files regularly
  • ✅ Growing product catalog
  • ✅ Can’t delete more files
  • ✅ Storage alerts affecting workflow

How to Upgrade

Section titled “How to Upgrade”
  1. Click Upgrade button in storage alert
  2. Or go to Settings → Billing
  3. Select new plan
  4. Confirm upgrade
  5. New storage limit applies immediately

Upgrade Benefits

Section titled “Upgrade Benefits”
  • More Storage: 2x to 10x increase depending on plan
  • Larger Files: Higher max file size limits
  • Advanced Features: May unlock additional features
  • Priority Support: Faster support response

Storage Calculation Examples

Section titled “Storage Calculation Examples”

Example 1: Small eBook Store

Section titled “Example 1: Small eBook Store”

Files:

  • 20 PDF eBooks @ 5 MB each = 100 MB
  • 5 Template files @ 20 MB each = 100 MB
  • Total: 200 MB

ZIP Cache:

  • 10 product mappings with cached ZIPs @ ~10 MB each = 100 MB

Total Storage Used: 300 MB (~1.5% of 20 GB plan)

✅ Plenty of room to grow

Example 2: Template Marketplace

Section titled “Example 2: Template Marketplace”

Files:

  • 100 Photoshop files @ 150 MB each = 15 GB
  • 50 Illustrator files @ 100 MB each = 5 GB
  • Total: 20 GB

ZIP Cache:

  • Negligible (most products are single files)

Total Storage Used: 20 GB (100% of Free plan)

⚠️ At capacity, needs upgrade

Example 3: Video Course Platform

Section titled “Example 3: Video Course Platform”

Files:

  • 50 video lessons @ 200 MB each = 10 GB
  • 20 PDF workbooks @ 10 MB each = 200 MB
  • 10 audio files @ 50 MB each = 500 MB
  • Total: 10.7 GB

ZIP Cache:

  • 5 course bundles @ ~2 GB each = 10 GB

Total Storage Used: 20.7 GB (103% of Free plan)

❌ Over limit, must upgrade or optimize

Storage Best Practices

Section titled “Storage Best Practices”

DO:

Section titled “DO:”
  • ✅ Monitor storage regularly (weekly)
  • ✅ Compress files before upload
  • ✅ Delete unused files promptly
  • ✅ Use appropriate file formats
  • ✅ Plan for growth (don’t use 100%)
  • ✅ Upgrade before hitting limits

DON’T:

Section titled “DON’T:”
  • ❌ Wait until 100% to take action
  • ❌ Upload uncompressed/unoptimized files
  • ❌ Keep old versions indefinitely
  • ❌ Store test/temporary files long-term
  • ❌ Ignore storage warnings

Frequently Asked Questions

Section titled “Frequently Asked Questions”

Q: What happens if I exceed my storage limit?

Section titled “Q: What happens if I exceed my storage limit?”

A: You cannot upload new files until you:

  • Delete existing files to free space, OR
  • Upgrade to a plan with more storage

Existing files and customer downloads continue to work normally.

Q: If I delete a file, when is storage freed up?

Section titled “Q: If I delete a file, when is storage freed up?”

A: Immediately. Storage quota updates in real-time when files are deleted.

Q: Do deleted files count toward storage?

Section titled “Q: Do deleted files count toward storage?”

A: No. Once deleted, files are removed from storage and quota is freed.

Q: Can I purchase additional storage without upgrading?

Section titled “Q: Can I purchase additional storage without upgrading?”

A: This depends on your plan. Contact support for custom storage add-ons.

Q: Does downgrading a plan reduce my storage?

Section titled “Q: Does downgrading a plan reduce my storage?”

A: Yes. If you downgrade and your current usage exceeds the new limit, you must delete files before the downgrade takes effect.

Q: How is storage different from bandwidth?

Section titled “Q: How is storage different from bandwidth?”

A:

  • Storage: How much data you can store (file library)
  • Bandwidth: How much data can be downloaded (usually unlimited in most plans)

Storage Monitoring Tools

Section titled “Storage Monitoring Tools”

Email Alerts

Section titled “Email Alerts”

Set up email notifications for storage milestones:

  1. Go to Settings → Notifications
  2. Enable Storage Alerts
  3. Choose thresholds: 75%, 90%, 100%

Weekly Storage Reports

Section titled “Weekly Storage Reports”

Receive weekly summary via email:

  • Current storage usage
  • Week-over-week change
  • Largest files
  • Recommendations

Next Steps

Section titled “Next Steps”