Eco-Friendly Clicks: Navigating The World of Green Web Design
Ever imagined the internet emitting greenhouse gases? It might sound out of reach, but if the internet were a nation, it would rank as the 7th highest emitter, rubbing shoulders with the aviation industry (yikes).
In a Green Web Design workshop spearheaded by the eco-conscious maestros at Thoughtful Web & Climax Community, we delved into the nitty-gritty of minimizing our digital carbon print. The takeaway? A greener web is a win-win for Mother Earth and our businesses.
It’s science, but it’s not rocket science. Curious how you can get started? Below are three eco-friendly stepping stones to kickstart the voyage:
1. Spring-Cleaning The Digital Abode
Who knew tidying up the backend of your site could contribute to a greener planet? Streamlining your website not only accelerates load times but also lowers its environmental impact.
🌿 Take out the digital trash by emptying the trash folder on your website’s backend.
🌿 Say goodbye to obsolete files, images, libraries, trackers, tags, and the likes.
🌿 Channel your inner coder and simplify the code. A little throwback to the Myspace era, perhaps?
Each webpage should be a step forward for your audience. If a page isn’t nudging them closer to a purchase, newsletter sign-up, or a discovery call, it's prime time to bid adieu to such digital excess.
2. Lighten The Load
In the digital domain, less is more. The lesser the file size, the lower the carbon print (who would’ve thought).
👏 Opt for text (HTML) and WEBP images.
👏 JPEG is your friend, while PNG, not so much.
👏 Embrace off-white and darker hues, as lighter colors guzzle more power.
A picture might paint a thousand words, but on the flip side, one image equals the data transfer of a whopping 150,000 words!
3. Amplify Your Green Voice
It’s time to wear the green advocate hat and engage in eco-dialogues with clients and teammates. If each of us infuses these green principles into our digital practices, the collective impact could be monumental. And hey, if your website resides on platforms like Squarespace, Wix, or Shopify which are yet to offer a green hosting option, shoot them an email advocating for a greener site.
Looking to dive deeper into green web practices? Check out @thoughtful.web & @climaxcommunity for everything eco-centric web - from insights and community offerings, to consulting and conversations. 🌿
Sun & Sol Co. is on a mission to marry the digital and natural realms harmoniously and believe our digital footprints don’t need to be carbon footprints.
