Starting a small business or refurbishing an old web site? Choose environmentally-friendly web hosting providers to help green a business. Whether a web site is for a professional environmental business or simply for a company that wants to create a green brand, it is important to compare web hosting providers when searching for the greener choice.
How Can a Web Host be Green or Eco-Friendly?

The Internet appears to be something that requires very few materials. It’s not like paper. Paper is something tangible: it can be purchased as recycled paper, then recycled again. Most people understand the basic mechanics of recycling paper, but few people understand what powers the world of the web. There are many computers connected to it, and each of those requires energy, but isn’t a web site environmentally friendly? Not necessarily.

Even though a web site is not printed on paper, it still uses energy and resources. Running a web hosting business requires space, and a space entails office materials and transportation. All of these things use energy and materials, and these create a carbon footprint.
Why Choose Carbon Neutral Web Site Hosting

Web hosting providers have a range of carbon neutral products. The company may actually produce its own energy through solar or wind power, and it might use recycled and reused products. A company may also buy green power that comes from renewable sources. Many companies are also going carbon-neutral by purchasing carbon offsets, essentially donating money to organizations that help people access renewable energy or plant trees. These hosting providers may purchase carbon credits to offset the emissions produced by their office energy use, equipment, supplies, and employee transportation.

Compare Web Hosting Providers

Green is just a color, and it’s easy to claim to be green. What does green web hosting really mean?

* Go Green Web Hosting offers hosting that is powered by Oklahoma wind energy.
* Host Papa purchases green energy credits through the electrical grid.
* Ethical Hosting is powered by green energy purchased through Bullfrog Power and PlanetAir and also purchases carbon offsets to offset other business-related carbon impacts.
* Thinkhost offers wind and solar-powered web hosting. Most of its employees telecommute and they are involved in socially-progressive volunteerism.

The Cost of Environmentally-Friendly Web Hosting

Like many web hosting providers, green or eco-friendly web hosting providers come with extras. These include free domain names, unlimited registration of domain names, and some extras like site builder programs and marketing bonuses. Monthly fees range from $3 per month to over $8 per month.

Many businesses are concerned about the environment, and they want to communicate this ethic to their customers. By reducing and reusing office supplies and using green transportation options and conference calls, businesses can reduce their environmental impact. Using green or carbon neutral web site hosting is all part of this choice, and this adds to a business’s green branding.

SOURCE:-
http://ecommerce.suite101.com/article.cfm/carbon-neutral-and-green-web-hosting-plans

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