Why the Internet Isn’t as Clean as You Think
Every time someone visits a website, data is transferred from servers, images are loaded onto screens, and devices get to work displaying code. All of that takes energy, and at scale, it adds up fast.
Now multiply that across millions of sites running 24/7, often bloated with heavy scripts and oversized media. The result? A surprisingly large carbon footprint, most businesses don’t even realise they have.
What Makes a Website “Green”?
A green website is designed and built with efficiency in mind to reduce energy consumption during use, minimise hosting impact, and be as sustainable as possible over its lifetime.
That usually means:
- Leaner code and faster load times
- Smarter image handling
- Hosting with renewable energy
- Fewer rebuilds, more longevity
The good news? These same practices also improve performance, SEO, and user experience.
What We're Doing to Build Greener Sites
We’re not claiming to have it all figured out but sustainability is something we’re actively building into our process. Here’s how we’re approaching it:
Green Hosting & Infrastructure
We encourage clients to use hosting providers that run on 100% renewable energy such as Krystal, a UK-based provider verified by The Green Web Foundation. These servers help reduce carbon emissions at source and support a more sustainable internet.
We also work with platforms like Cloudflare to improve energy efficiency through CDN caching, which reduces server load and speeds up delivery across the globe.
Smarter Drupal Builds
Because we work primarily in Drupal, we’re able to take advantage of powerful modules that optimise site performance which, in turn, reduces energy use.
Behind the scenes, we regularly use tools like WebP and ImageAPI Optimize to compress images without quality loss. Lazy Load ensures images only load when needed, saving bandwidth.
We also use tools like AdvAgg for code aggregation and BigPipe for faster rendering of visible content. When appropriate, we integrate content delivery networks like Cloudflare to serve static files closer to users, reducing server strain.
Design That Doesn’t Weigh You Down
Our design team aims for clarity, not clutter. We keep themes lightweight and avoid unnecessary animations, autoplay videos or oversized graphics that can bloat a site fast.
When websites are designed to be simpler and more intuitive, it’s not just better for the user it’s lighter on the planet too.
Educating Clients (Without Overloading Them)
We’ve started to include more sustainability messaging in the way we talk to clients, from proposals to audits to handover documentation. It’s not just about ticking a green box we explain how a faster, more efficient site helps with SEO, improves conversions, and cuts emissions.
The Bigger Picture
Being green online isn’t about chasing perfection, it’s about making better choices with what we build and how we host it. Most emissions from a website come from regular usage over time, not the initial launch. That’s why focusing on speed, simplicity, and smart hosting pays off in the long run.
Greener sites aren’t just a win for the planet they’re a powerful advantage for your business. Fast-loading, high-ranking, and future-ready, a green website signals to your customers that you’re committed to progress and responsibility, all while delivering a seamless experience.
Final Word
We’re still learning, but sustainability is on our radar and in our process. If your business is thinking about its environmental impact, your website is a good place to start. A cleaner, faster web isn’t just possible, it’s already happening.
Want a greener, faster website?
Let’s talk about how to make your next build cleaner under the hood and lighter on the planet.
About the Author: With 16 years in hospitality behind him, George now works in web development, helping people make sense of tech and bring their ideas to life online.
