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The best green web hosting companies not only provide quality service but also help you reduce your carbon footprint. Due to rising climate issues and resource depletion, it has become more important than ever to take care of the planet.
If you’re bringing your existing business online or simply launching a website, there are green hosting providers you should consider. Traditional hosting and data storage centers consume large amounts of energy and typically rely on non-renewable sources of energy. On the other hand, green hosting leverages renewable energy sources for their operations.
In this post, we will guide you on choosing the best eco-friendly web hosting services for a green online business. This guide also includes the top 7 best green hosting services in 2024.
Page Contents
What Is Green Web Hosting Services?
Green web hosting is commonly known as eco-friendly web hosting services. Its name ‘green’ refers to a strong commitment towards sustainability.
In simple words, green hosting is a type of hosting services that prioritize sustainability in their businesses. They typically tend to use renewable energy systems or green technologies (wind, solar, hydro) to fuel their data centers’ work efficiently.
They do not rely on traditional energy generation sources (burning of fossil fuels) that would emit large amounts of greenhouse gases (GHG) into the atmosphere. Some companies take many more initiatives to implement sustainability in their web hosting businesses. For example, ‘GreenGeeks’ is one of the best green hosting company committed to planting a tree after every successful deal.
Why Use Green Web Hosting?
There is no performance issue with using green hosting services for blogs, websites, or any online services that demand data centers. It is completely worth choosing a green company to host your online business. They can provide the same features and functionality as traditional hosting companies provide.
Green hosting companies use renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydroelectricity to run their servers while minimizing the environmental impact. These companies often implement energy-efficient yet effective technologies in their systems, further reducing carbon emissions.
Many green web hosts occasionally plant trees and invest more in renewable energy technologies to compensate for the carbon emissions they produce.
With the rapid increase of websites and the use of data, storage centres resulted in more carbon emissions into the environment. According to 8billiontrees.com, data centers account for 2.5% to 3.7% of global greenhouse gas emissions in our environment.
How To Choose Green Web Hosting?
As there is so much buzz in the hosting world, it is common for many brands to be fake out there. We understand the core values of eco-friendly people like you, and we’re here to help in your journey.
These tips not only give you a wealth of knowledge to differentiate between green and non-green but also help you pick the best one from hundreds of options out there.
1. Identify Your Needs: Identify your needs and what type of hosting fits the best for it. For instance, a Portfolio website may demand minimal features and bandwidth compared to a website with anticipated millions of traffic.
2. Types of Hosting: There are different types of hosting plans available with different prices, features, and support. Basically,
- Shared Hosting: It is a hosting service where multiple websites share the same server. In simple words, shared hosting hosts multiple websites on the same server and shares all the resources including RAM, storage space, and CPU. This hosting is best for beginners starting an online business and has a cheaper budget for hosting.
- VPS Hosting: VPS stands for Virtual Private Server. It provides a dedicated virtual space for each user within the same physical server. With this hosting plan, you will get separate storage, RAM, CPU, and security features that perform better than shared hosting.
- Dedicated Hosting: Like its name, it is a dedicated hosting service where you’ll get an entire physical server with the ultimate level of control and accessibility. You are allowed to control and customize every aspect of the server. This hosting model comparatively costs much more than shared and VPS hosting and is less eco-friendly.
- Managed WordPress Hosting: This hosting is specifically designed for WordPress sites to provide optimal performance and security.
3. Performance and Security: Choose a hosting provider that delivers excellent performance and security. Look for these features:
- 99.9% uptime
- SSD Storage
- Regular Backups Services
- CDN Services
- DDoS Protection
4. Green Certification: Look for hosting providers that are certified with Energy Star, Green-e, or LEED which indicate that they meet the environmental standards.
5. Sustainable Practices: Investigate the company’s overall commitment to sustainability like their goals, initiatives, and policies. Support a brand that incorporates renewable technologies in its business operations and how it compensates for its carbon footprint with green initiatives.
6. Scalability: It would be a smart move to leave room for future scaling whenever required. Choose a company that provides easy upgrade options as your website grows. Ensure you can easily migrate to any other hosting provider with simple steps at any time you want as some companies restrict it.
7. Customer Support: As a beginner, it is obvious you’ll have to face many challenges related to hosting or servers. That’s why you need to ensure a 24/7 support system from the company. You can check reviews, complaints, and chats of existing and past users to find out the supportiveness and reliability of the company.
Best Green Web Hosting Services In 2024:
You already know all the required consideration when purchasing a hosting service, let’s move toward a list of the best green web hosting services in 2024:
1. Green Geeks
Green Geeks is our first choice when it comes to an eco-friendly web hosts. They provide the most green web hosting services at affordable prices making it easily accessible for small businesses. They claim to be a leader in eco-friendly web hosting services for valid reasons.
The company has been in the business for more than 16 years with more than 600,000 websites hosted on it. With extensive work experience in hosting technology and as an eco-conscious person, Trey Gardner started GreenGeeks in 2008 to bring positive change to the unsustainable hosting industry.
It has been also recognized by the United States Environmental Protection Agency since 2009 as a green power partner. The company purchases 3 times more renewable energy which is used by their servers. It is a perfect and reliable choice for those looking for carbon-neutral web hosting services with great customer support.
Green Geeks Plans and Pricing:
- Shared Hosting: (Lite: $2.95/month, Pro: $4.95/month, Premium: $8.95/month)
- WordPress Hosting: (Lite: $2.95/month, Pro: $4.95/month, Premium: $8.95/month)
- VPS Hosting: (2GB: $39.95/month, 4GB: $59.95/month, 8GB: $109.95/month)
- WooCommerce Hosting: (Lite: $2.95/month, Pro: $4.95/month, Premium: $8.95/month)
- Reseller Hosting: (RH-25: $19.95/month, RH-50: $24.95/month, RH-80: $34.95/month)
2. Inmotion Hosting
InMotion hosting has been in the hosting business for more than 20 years which was launched in 2001. Therefore, it is a well-established and reliable hosting company out there. It is committed to eco-friendly practices that use green data centres and leverage renewable energy technologies to reduce its ecological footprint.
InMotion Hosting is known for its fast, secure, 24/7 customer support hosting services. As soon as you face any difficulties while accessing their hosting, you can contact customer support via phone, live chat, or email for quick solutions. InMotion hosting provides a 90-day money-back guarantee on most of their plans to win customers’ trust. They provide hosting solutions for small to big businesses that often seek a dedicated server.
Overall, InMotion Hosting is a trustworthy and green web hosting company worth purchasing.
Inmotion Plans and Pricing:
- Shared Hosting: [Core: $2.69/mo, launch: $3.99/mo, Power: $3.99/mo, Pro: $9.49/mo]
- WordPress Hosting: [WP Core: $3.19/mo, WP launch: $4.49/mo, WP Power: $4.49/mo, WP Pro: $9.99/mo]
- VPS Hosting: [VPS 4: $9.99/mo, VPS 8: $19.99/mo, VPS 12: $31.99/mo, VPS 16: $44.99/mo]
- Dedicated Servers: [Essential: $99.99/mo, Advanced: $169.99/mo, Elite: $219.99/mo, CC-1000: $250/mo, CC-2000: $599.99/mo, CC-3000: $799.99/mo, CC-4000: $1599.99/mo]
- Reseller Hosting: [R-1000N: $0.99/mo, R-2000N: $39.99/mo, R-3000N: $49.99/mo, R-4000N: $59.99/mo]
3. Host Papa
HostPapa is a renowned name on the radar of the best eco-friendly web hosting companies. Founded back in 2006, HostPapa is committed to providing quality service and support to every customer.
They’re known for their extensive 24/7 support system with comprehensive guides through phone, live chat, email, and content resources.
The hostpapa green hosting is powered by 100% renewable energy sources that showcase their sustainability values. Overall, it is a perfect choice for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and bloggers at an affordable price.
HostPapa Plans and Pricing:
- Web Hosting: [Essentials: $2.95/mo, Growth: $6.95/mo, Premium: $6.95/mo, Elite: $14.95/mo]
- Optimized WordPress Hosting: [WP Start: $2.95/mo, WP Plus: $5.95/mo, WP Pro: $5.95/mo, WP Ultra: $12.95/mo]
- Managed WordPress Hosting: [MWP Start: $19.95/mo, MWP Plus: $49.95/mo, MWP Pro: $64.95/mo, MWP Ultra: $114.95/mo]
- VPS Hosting: [Mercury: $19.99/mo, Venus: $59.99/mo, Earth: $109.99/mo, Mars: $169.99/mo, Jupiter: $249.99/mo]
- Reseller Hosting: [Bronze: $31.99/mo, Silver: $41.99/mo, Gold: $66.99/mo, Platinum: $91.99/mo, Titanium: $121.99/mo]
- PapaCare: [$9.95/mo]
4. Site Ground
Site Ground implemented several initiatives to make itself green and eco-friendly. Here are some points, how they contribute to environmental sustainability:
1. Renewable Energy Usage: The site ground hosting company incorporates data centres that are powered of renewable energy sources like solar, wind, hydro electricity sources.
2. Energy-Efficient Data Centers: The Data centres of Sit Ground are not only leverages renewable energy sources but also they’re more efficient than ordinary data centres, resulting energy conservation.
3. Carbon Offsetting: The company is participating in carbon offsetting programs, as a result they often invest in eco-friendly projects as for compensation of carbon emissions produced by their business operations.
4. Virtualization and Resource Optimization: It uses advanced virtualization technologies which ensures that their servers run efficiently, optimizing resource usage, which indirectly contributes to energy savings.
5. Paperless Office Initiative: Siteground encourages digital documentation to further reduce it’s carbon footprint.
Site Ground Hosting Plans and Pricing:
- Web Hosting: [StartUp: $2.99/mo, Growbig: $4.99/mo, GoGeek: $7.99/mo]
- WordPress Hosting: [StartUp: $2.99/mo, Growbig: $4.99/mo, GoGeek: $7.99/mo]
- Cloud Hosting: (Jump Start: $100/mo, Business: $200/mo, Business Plus: $300/mo, Super Power: $400/mo )
- WooCommerce Hosting: [StartUp: $2.99/mo, Growbig: $4.99/mo, GoGeek: $7.99/mo]
- Reseller Hosting: (GrowBig: $4.99/mo, GoGeek: $7.99/mo, Cloud: $100/mo)
5. Dream Host
DreamHost is another good company which is committed to providing quality hosting service and reducing it’s carbon emissions with several key initiatives. They partner with energy-efficient data centres that use advanced cooling systems and hardware to reduce their power consumption.
DreamHost also invests in renewable energy credits (RECs) to offset their carbon footprint. Additionally, the company participates in carbon offset programs, in which they fund projects that reduce carbon emissions.
DreamHost Hosting Plans and Pricing:
- Shared Hosting: [Shared Strater: $2.59/mo, Shared Unlimited: $3.95/mo]
- WordPress Hosting: [WordPress Business: $2.59/mo, DreamPress: $16.95/mo, VPS WordPress: $10/mo ]
- Cloud Hosting: [6-core: $165/mo. 12-core: 229/mo]
- WooCommerce Hosting: [DreamPress: $16.95/mo, DreamPress Plus: $24.95/mo, DreamPress Pro: $71.95/mo]
- VPS Hosting: [VPS Business: $10.00/mo, VPS Professional: $20.00/mo, VPS Enterprise: $40.00/mo, VPS Premier: $60.00/mo]
- Dedicated Server Hosting: [DreamCompute, DreamObjects]
- Managed WordPress Hosting: [DreamPress: $16.95/mo, DreamPress Plus: $24.95/mo, DreamPress Pro: $71.95/mo]
6. Kualo Hosting
Kualo is a responsible hosting provider that claims to use 100% renewable energy sources in their operations. The data centres of Kualo hosting is energy-efficient and they plant a tree for every hosting package sold.
Overall, they offer green hosting plans that are designed to minimize environmental impact, which becomes a great option for eco-conscious people looking to minimize environmental impact from thriving online business.
Kualo Hosting Plans and Pricing:
- Shared Hosting
- WordPress Hosting
- Business Hosting
- WooCommerce Hosting
- Reseller Hosting
- Cloud, Dedicated, Complex
7. IONOS Hosting
IONOS hosting operates advanced data centres and cooling systems that are optimized for energy-efficiency and quality aervice. Many of IONOS’s data centers are powered by renewable energy sources.
IONOS often invests in carbon offset programs to neutralize the carbon emissions generated by their operations and they also supports projects that reduce or capture carbon dioxide from the environment.
The company is more responsible in terms of waste management as they practice reducing electronic waste by recycling old hardware and responsibly disposing of equipment.
IONOS Hosting plans and Pricing:
- Web Hosting
- WordPress Hosting
- WooCommerce Hosting
- Managed WordPress Hosting
- VPS Hosting
- eCommerce Hosting, more
FAQs
Is Green Web Hosting More Expensive?
Green hosting is not necessarily more expensive than conventional hosting, whereas they’re cost-effective. Where traditional hosting companies pay expensive energy costs, green hosting is powered by cost-reducing and eco-friendly renewable energy sources.
Is Green Hosting Providers Really Minimize Carbon Emissions?
Yes, many companies genuinely reduced their environmental impact through several practices such as using green technologies, supporting reforestation, and by their effective business policies.
What Makes Data Centres ‘Green’?
Data centres are considered green or sustainable when they aim to implement eco-friendly technologies, practices, and strategies to reduce their consequences on the environment.
