A few months ago I did a short presentation titled “Green Web Design” for AD2 Tucson which covered the basics of green design, encouraging attendees to be more environmentally responsible designers. The presentation began with a short clip of Kermit the Frog singing Bein’ Green followed by exploration into 3 topics to try and answer the questions: What is a green company? What is a green website?

#1 Go green by doing more online

• Save energy by replacing in-person meetings and travel with online tools like Skype, IM, Webex, Gotomeeting, etc.
• Reduce Printing by using web forms for quick feedback and tracking digitally. PDF’s are a step better than printing (especially when people read them on tablets) but not as good as web forms.
• Paper-less management. Improve efficiency, organization and be more green using online organizational tools like Basecamp, Salesforce, Freshbooks, Freeagent, etc.
• Digital Billing. Improve conversion rates and remove hassle using online methods like Paypal, Authorize.net and Google Checkout.
• Build websites, not brochures for promotion. A website has dynamic current content, interactive features, and allows one-click sharing which makes any message easy to go viral to hundreds and even millions of people.

#2 Be a Green Designer

Make green choices for yourself and your clients

• Green web hosting. Self sufficient (AISO.net) vs carbon offsetting
• Save Energy by becoming aware of power usage and waste with a Kill-a-Watt meter, LED bulbs and GreenWatts electricity.
• Transportation. Cycling, walking, bus, proximity to work instead of driving 100% of the time.
• Work Environment. Through telecommuting you can work from anywhere and should not be tied to a corporate office every day.
• Co-working office spaces, like Spoke6 in Tucson, give you shared resources and the chance to work with like-minded people. “Saving the planet together”
• Be a master of efficiency. Make your website save paper and let customers be more efficient with Mobile themes, SEO, Google Local, Online Reviews, Application Forms, etc.

#3 Be a Green Beacon

Educate others and promote green choices

• Watch out for greenwashing. Be authentic.
• Creative Slice has started a Green Choice program to promote green choices for our clients. Making the choice is 1/2 the battle, by demonstrating your choices you can inspire, connect and attract others.
• Show off your green choices and associations and let them promote you.  1% for planet, local first az, green america, etc.
• Green Marketing.  Green is great for marketing, people WANT to be good/green.  Let them know they can be that way by working with you.
• The web is a gateway to other green practices. Awareness is the first step and can grow throughout a business
• Be conscious. A green company is one that is conscious of the environment.  Be aware of consequences and improve through understanding.

This presentation generated a strong discussion about what it means to be green and helped serve as a starting point for those in attendance who were just starting to become more eco-friendly and green designers. Please leave a comment below with your thoughts on Green Website Design.