Going Green With Your WordPress Website
Here are a few simple ways to make your WordPress Website Greener and more eco-friendly
Learn how to Go Green with your WordPress website by following a few easy steps and your online business and presence will surely grow.
Did you know the Internet contributes two percent of global carbon emissions? That number might sound small but it’s actually the same as the greenhouse-gas emissions of the aviation industry. It’s difficult to imagine something as intangible as the internet effects the environment negatively.
The two main factors that contribute to the effect the web has on our environment are:
- The devices we use to surf online – how and who manufactures the computers, mobiles and IPads that we use and all their components.
- The server farms and data centers that store websites, process search queries and hold the web’s content. This uses energy and, consequently, produces harmful emissions.
What Is An Eco-Friendly Website?
An eco-friendly website partners with hosts that operate sustainably and are designed to run fast. Speed is crucial to lowering usage, thus site speed can be achieved in a number of ways – one of which is to have a simpler design and fewer photos and animation which tend to load slower and slow down website speed.
“Does this mean I have to forego a stylish and professional looking site?” Absolutely not! You can still have the sleek and amazing site you want…..but it will be optimized and designed for efficiency and speed.
Why Should You Have An Eco-Friendly Website?
We all do our best to buy organic and eco-friendly products, recycle, reuse and support sustainable businesses because we know this has a positive impact on the environment.
However, information about the environmental impact of websites, the Internet, and online activity is not readily available to the public but is equally important and is easy to achieve. For that reason, just like in the real world, it is important to take measures to reduce the impact the web has on the climate and environment. And the only place where you can start is with yourself. You should consider Going Green with your WordPress to make the change.
Running An Eco-Friendly Website Isn’t Complicated
Due to its virtual nature, it’s easy to forget that the existence of the Internet has real-life consequences. Since all that data has to live somewhere, everyday technology usage is ramping up its environmental toll.
With more and more people accessing the web and creating new online businesses, this will only increase. As a consequence, there has never been a better time to take steps to reduce your personal footprint and that of your site.
Here’s What You Can Do:
- Choose an eco-friendly web host and work with an eco-minded web designer.
- Use an Eco-Friendly website design.
- Increase the speed of your website.
- Educate others about their carbon footprint
- Monthly Maintenance of your website for continuous optimum performance
5 Ways to Create an Eco-Friendly Website
1. Choose an Eco-Friendly Web Host & Web Designer
One of the biggest steps you can take to reduce your website’s environmental impact is to find a web host that has the same goal.
Hosting companies own the physical data centers that contain your and other people’s websites. How they choose to get their energy needs met has a direct impact on how environmentally friendly your own website is.
The first step in improving your site’s carbon footprint is to choose a green host. That means, their servers are powered by renewable energy, the companies make use of energy use offsets, and adhere to other environmentally-conscious practices.
Green Geeks is a popular choice among many green website owners, including myself! Their pricing and services are competitive and on the same level as many of the most popular hosting providers.
Also, working with a web designer that is knowledgeable about building greener websites is key. They will design and build a website for less energy consumption without sacrificing design and function. Choosing a designer that partners with other like-minded businesses (copywriters, graphic artists, etc.) can help to create your website dream team!
2. Use an Eco-Friendly Website Design
Here’s the long and the short of it: The more complicated your site design is, the more energy it consumes when loaded.
Each element of your site – the graphics, animations, code, etc. has a bearing on the energy footprint. Sites that load slowly draw more energy, and so do frequent server requests. Doing simple things such as using fewer Javascript widgets, reducing the number of images and videos, and making sure that your site loads faster can make a huge difference. Learning how to create an eco-friendly website is really simple and just takes a bit of thought when designing.
In addition to that, by focusing on what is absolutely necessary, you might just make your site more user friendly in the process. Studies have shown that users prefer less complicated websites as they’re easier to navigate.
3. Improve Your Site Speed
As already mentioned, a slow website is one that uses a lot of energy. Besides that, users also really hate slow-loading websites. So much so, that page speed is a ranking factor to Google, including for mobile.
If that is not going to convince you to make page loading speed a priority, I don’t know what will. Bottom line, fast speed = more sales and growth + decreased global footprint. Whether your motivation is based on sustainable practices or not, a faster site will always win and make the sale.
4. Educate – Spread the Word about Eco-Friendly Websites
The thing about trying to save the planet is that you can’t do it alone. There are over seven billion of us and we can only make significant changes if we do it together. So, besides making your own eco-friendly website, another step you can take is to make your users aware of their own carbon emissions and let them know what they can do on their behalf.
5. Monthly Website Maintenance
It’s not enough to build your website and then just abandon it to do its job. Monthly maintenance is crucial. You need to update any apps and plugins, check for any error messages or broken links that cause user problems, and make sure you have the most up-to-date version of your website theme. If your site is updated and running smoothly it will perform better and everything will run faster. This will help you Go Green with your WordPress and maintain it.
Do a quick audit to identify ways to improve your site usability and performance while reducing its digital footprint.
Click on image or go to www.ecograder.com
Want to Learn More About How to Create Greener Websites? Here’s some additional reading:
I work my magic from the far off lands of India where I’ve lived as a US Expat for the last 8 years! I work with clients from all around the globe.
I am an Eco-Minded WordPress Web Specialist who loves working with socially and environmentally conscious brands.
My website studio (www.amyeperez.com) was founded out of a desire to collaborate with purpose-led business owners. My goal is to fully reflect your brand story’s commitment to people and planet, while helping you earn the profit you deserve.
You’ve built a business that creates positive social and environmental change.
BUT DOES YOUR WEBSITE REFLECT A COMMITMENT TO THE PLANET?
I blend art and strategy with environmentally responsible practices to create websites that connect with your audience, tell your unique story, and help you confidently move toward your goals. Each site is strategically optimized to reduce your brand’s environmental footprint and help accomplish your biggest goals.
Amye Perez
WordPress & eCommerce Website Specialist