{"id":13314,"date":"2025-03-15T19:26:02","date_gmt":"2025-03-15T19:26:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.qualitycompanyformations.co.uk\/blog\/?p=13314"},"modified":"2025-03-18T11:23:27","modified_gmt":"2025-03-18T11:23:27","slug":"reduce-small-business-digital-footprint","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.qualitycompanyformations.co.uk\/blog\/reduce-small-business-digital-footprint\/","title":{"rendered":"How to reduce your small business\u2019 digital footprint"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Every click, search, and stored file contributes to your digital footprint. While this might seem insignificant, the environmental impact of our digital activity is growing. For small businesses, reducing their digital footprint isn\u2019t just about sustainability \u2013 it\u2019s about cutting costs, improving efficiency, and enhancing brand reputation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">In this guide, we\u2019ll discuss practical strategies small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can implement to minimise their digital footprint, including energy efficiency, digital minimalism, green technology, and website optimisation.<\/span><\/p>\n            <div class=\"key-takeaways-shortcode\" role=\"alert\">\n                <h3>\n                    <span>Key Takeaways<\/span>\n                <\/h3>\n                <div class=\"key-takeaways-shortcode__content\">\n                    <\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">If your business wants to be more digitally sustainable, start by conducting a digital footprint audit. Assess your website, data storage, and IT infrastructure.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Explore eco-friendly hosting and sustainable IT solutions. Look for providers committed to renewable energy and efficiency.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Implement at least 2-3 strategies from this guide. Start with quick wins like optimising your business website and switching to greener IT practices.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        \n<h2><span class=\"TextRun SCXW121391035 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-GB\" xml:lang=\"EN-GB\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW121391035 BCX0\" data-ccp-parastyle=\"heading 3\">Understanding your digital footprint<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Before diving into technical solutions, Keziah Cowan, Associate Director at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.qualitycompanyformations.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Quality Company Formations<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">, emphasises: &#8220;<\/span>Businesses should always be aware of their carbon footprint. Understanding their current impact is the first step to making necessary reductions. They can use environmental consultants for this.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"flourish-embed flourish-number-ticker\" data-src=\"visualisation\/21713739\"><script src=\"https:\/\/public.flourish.studio\/resources\/embed.js\"><\/script><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/public.flourish.studio\/visualisation\/21713739\/thumbnail\" width=\"100%\" alt=\"number-ticker visualization\" \/><\/noscript><\/div>\n<h4 aria-level=\"4\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">What is a digital footprint?<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">A digital footprint refers to the trail of data and energy consumption created by online activity. It can be classified into two types:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>Active digital footprint<\/strong>: Information intentionally shared online, such as social media posts, emails, and website content.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>Passive digital footprint<\/strong>: Data collected without a user\u2019s direct input, such as website visits, cookies, clicks on links, and stored server logs.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 aria-level=\"4\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">The environmental impact of digital growth<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Digital technologies are responsible for an estimated <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.telefonica.com\/en\/communication-room\/blog\/impact-of-technology-on-energy-efficiency\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">8-10% of global energy consumption<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\"> and contribute 2-4% of total greenhouse gas emissions. Livestock directly contributes about 5% of emissions, roughly double the share of the aviation industry. These figures highlight the often-overlooked environmental footprint of our digital world.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-13324 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.qualityformationsblog.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Digital-footprint.jpg\" alt=\"Person in the background wearing a bright yellow jumper with green, grass-textured footprints appearing in the forefront, hovering over a tablet placed on the table in front of them\" width=\"1500\" height=\"650\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.qualityformationsblog.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Digital-footprint.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/www.qualityformationsblog.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Digital-footprint-600x260.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.qualityformationsblog.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Digital-footprint-692x300.jpg 692w, https:\/\/www.qualityformationsblog.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Digital-footprint-768x333.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">The amount of data generated annually has also grown each year since 2010. According to estimates, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/explodingtopics.com\/blog\/data-generated-per-day\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">402.74 million terabytes<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\"> of data are created each day. In fact, it\u2019s estimated that 90% of the world\u2019s\u00a0data was generated in the last two years.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 aria-level=\"3\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">How can your business minimise its digital footprint?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">A hidden cost of digital growth is rising energy consumption and carbon emissions. Our digital habits significantly impact the environment, from the data centres we use to our everyday online activity. The good news? Businesses can take control of their digital footprint and drive meaningful change.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">                                                    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.qualitycompanyformations.co.uk\/blog\/uk-business-climate-hub\/\" class=\"related\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\"><span class=\"related-title\">UK Business Climate Hub &#8211; helping SMEs save money and go green<\/span><\/a>\n                                                                        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.qualitycompanyformations.co.uk\/blog\/corporate-citizenship\/\" class=\"related\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\"><span class=\"related-title\">What is corporate citizenship?<\/span><\/a>\n                                                                        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.qualitycompanyformations.co.uk\/blog\/retain-top-people\/\" class=\"related\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\"><span class=\"related-title\">8 tips to retain the top people in your business<\/span><\/a>\n                    <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">By optimising energy efficiency, reducing unnecessary data storage, and making smart IT choices, companies can lower CO2 emissions, cut costs, and improve operational performance. In the following sections, we\u2019ll explore key strategies, such as digital decluttering, eco-friendly hosting, and sustainable hardware practices, which help businesses create a more sustainable digital presence.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4>Virtualisation<\/h4>\n<p>Virtualisation is a smart solution for small businesses looking to reduce their digital footprint and operate more sustainably. By running multiple systems on fewer physical servers, businesses can cut energy use, reduce electronic waste, and utilise their IT resources better. This lowers costs while helping companies meet their sustainability goals. Virtualisation also improves flexibility, disaster recovery, and overall efficiency, making adapting to changing business needs easier.<\/p>\n<p>As Daniel Papachan, IT Systems Engineer at Quality Company Formations, explains:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"quote--breakout\"><p>Adopting a sustainable model for legacy applications isn\u2019t always straightforward. In some cases, upgrading them for cloud migration isn\u2019t worth the effort. But by virtualising them, businesses can achieve a quick win until they\u2019re ready to rearchitect with cloud-native technologies.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h4 aria-level=\"3\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Energy efficiency<\/span><\/h4>\n<p aria-level=\"3\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Data centres, cloud computing, and heavy device usage consume vast amounts of energy. As of October 2024, data centres alone consume approximately <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.iea.org\/commentaries\/what-the-data-centre-and-ai-boom-could-mean-for-the-energy-sector\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">1% of global electricity<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">. Their annual energy use equates to nearly half of the total electricity consumed by household IT devices like computers, phones, and TVs. In the UK, <a href=\"https:\/\/bionic.co.uk\/business-energy\/guides\/wfh-vs-work-from-office\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">Bionic\u2019s research<\/a> revealed that a small business\u2019 average energy consumption is between 15,000 and 25,000 kWh.<\/span><\/p>\n<p aria-level=\"3\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">First, businesses can optimise their energy consumption by using energy-efficient devices and preferring ENERGY STAR\u00ae-certified hardware. ENERGY STAR\u00ae-certified computers and imaging products use <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ladwp.com\/publications\/newsletters\/articles\/smart-energy-saving-solutions-your-office\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">up to 35% less energy<\/a> than standard equipment, meaning your company can enjoy savings on its utility bills while reducing its overall carbon footprint.<\/span><\/p>\n<p aria-level=\"3\"><span data-contrast=\"none\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-13322 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.qualityformationsblog.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Energy-star-certified-devices.jpg\" alt=\"Corner of a laptop screen with a blue ENERGY STAR sticker illustrating that it meets energy-efficiency specifications\" width=\"1500\" height=\"650\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.qualityformationsblog.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Energy-star-certified-devices.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/www.qualityformationsblog.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Energy-star-certified-devices-600x260.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.qualityformationsblog.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Energy-star-certified-devices-692x300.jpg 692w, https:\/\/www.qualityformationsblog.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Energy-star-certified-devices-768x333.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<h4 aria-level=\"3\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Cloud migration to reduce CO2 emissions<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Data centres are among the most energy-intensive elements of the internet, but cloud migration can make this significantly more efficient.<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Explore eco-friendly or green hosting providers powered by renewable energy. To help your search, consider resources like the guide on the \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/tinyeco.com\/best-green-web-hosting-uk\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">7 Best Green Web Hosting Companies UK<\/a>\u201d by Ben Hardman, founder of Tiny Eco, for recommendations on sustainable website hosting.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">It\u2019s important to recognise that your business can\u2019t\u00a0reduce every emission. For processes that can\u2019t be eliminated entirely, consider offsetting your remaining carbon footprint with services such as <a href=\"https:\/\/carbonneutralbritain.org\/pages\/become-a-carbon-neutral-business\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\">Carbon Neutral Britain<\/a>, which we use at Quality Company Formations, or solutions tailored to digital emissions like Cloud Carbon Footprint.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Optimising cloud storage practices also plays a critical role. Why not switch to a renewable-powered cloud service like Google Cloud, which offers eco-friendly hosting?<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 aria-level=\"4\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Krystal: A web-hosting provider and UK leader in sustainable digital infrastructure<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/krystal.io\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Krystal<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\"> is a UK web-hosting provider that\u2019s\u00a0a pioneer in sustainable digital infrastructure. Transparency and long-term sustainability underpin the company\u2019s values, and since 2017, Krystal has powered its entire hosting infrastructure with 100% renewable energy. Krystal works with Ecotricity to source electricity from wind, solar, and marine power and has partnered with Ecologi to ensure its own workforce offsets work-related emissions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Krystal\u2019s impact doesn\u2019t stop there. The company funded 38 global carbon avoidance projects, including preserving critical biodiversity in Guatemala and supporting clean hydropower in Uganda. Its latest milestone \u2013 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/krystal.io\/blog\/post\/krystal-becomes-a-certified-b-corp\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">achieving B Corp Certification<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\"> \u2013 cements its commitment to ethical, sustainable business practices.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">The company has also taken an industry-leading stance in reforestation efforts. With an ambitious pledge to conserve, restore, or grow 1 billion trees by 2030, Krystal demonstrates that digital infrastructure can be innovative and environmentally responsible.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 aria-level=\"3\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Digital decluttering<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Businesses often store more data than needed. This results in increased server loads and energy use. Digital minimalism refers to cutting unnecessary consumption and improving efficiency. In its <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.netapp.com\/media\/83312-data_waste_research_report_final_for_submission.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Data Waste Index report<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">, NetApp revealed that the average organisation spends \u00a3300,000 per year storing data. However, 41% of the data stored by organisations in the UK is unused or unwanted.<\/span><\/p>\n            <div class=\"revolut_shortcode\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/revolutbusiness.ngih.net\/daV2kQ\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn-brand.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/assets\/images\/revolut_mobile.png\"\n                        alt=\"Revolut Business & Affiliates.\"\n                        class=\"revolut_shortcode-mobile\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn-brand.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/assets\/images\/revolut_desktop.png\"\n                        alt=\"Revolut Business & Affiliates.\"\n                        class=\"revolut_shortcode-desktop\">\n                <\/a>\n            <\/div>\n            \n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">The report also highlighted that only a fifth of IT professionals are working to identify unused and unwanted data yearly, despite 74% of IT leaders believing that better data management could reduce carbon emissions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">If your small business is looking to minimise its digital footprint, we recommend:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:279}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">conducting regular audits of digital storage<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">deleting redundant emails, old backups, and unused applications<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">implementing automated deletion policies for temporary files<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">using lightweight, cloud-based tools instead of resource-heavy software<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 aria-level=\"3\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Sustainable IT hardware<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">To reduce your business\u2019 environmental impact and promote responsible resource management, your IT team should implement sustainable hardware practices. These can involve the following strategies:<\/span><\/p>\n<h5 aria-level=\"4\"><strong>1. Sustainable procurement and lifecycle management<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Adopting a sustainable procurement strategy ensures environmental, social, and economic factors are considered throughout the equipment lifecycle. Your organisation can take steps to reduce its ecological footprint and align with its corporate social responsibility goals.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">For example, London-based IT solutions company, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ethicalit.net\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Ethical IT<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">, offers sustainable procurement and hardware lifecycle management services, enabling organisations to enhance their environmental responsibility through zero-waste recycling partnerships. It specialises in delivering high-quality, cost-effective, and sustainable IT solutions to charities, social enterprises, community groups, voluntary organisations, and SMEs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Sustainability is at the core of everything it does. The company uses these guiding pillars:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>Environmental<\/strong> \u2013 minimising its carbon footprint wherever possible, both within its operations and for clients.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>Economic<\/strong> \u2013 ensuring fair pricing and fostering long-term, value-driven client relationships.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>Social<\/strong> \u2013 supporting a healthy work-life balance through flexible working and championing networks like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.onepercentfortheplanet.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">1% for the Planet<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5 aria-level=\"4\"><strong>2. Refurbished and energy-efficient devices\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Choosing refurbished IT equipment extends the lifespan of devices, conserves resources, and reduces electronic waste. Companies like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.techbuyer.com\/uk\/sustainability\/sustainable-it-solutions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Techbuyer<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\"> specialise in providing high-quality refurbished IT hardware, offering a sustainable alternative that meets performance standards and minimises environmental impact.<\/span><\/p>\n<h5 aria-level=\"4\"><strong>3. Responsible e-waste recycling programmes\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Correctly recycling and disposing of end-of-life IT equipment helps stop hazardous materials from harming the environment. E-waste is the most hazardous part of the waste stream, so businesses should partner with certified e-waste recyclers to ensure devices are disposed of responsibly. Services in the UK like XMA\u2019s<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.xma.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Circular Economy Managed Service (CEMS)<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\"> help businesses securely recycle outdated hardware.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-13328 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.qualityformationsblog.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/E-waste-management.jpg\" alt=\"Hand dropping a broken smartphone into a container that is clearly labelled 'e-waste'\" width=\"1500\" height=\"650\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.qualityformationsblog.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/E-waste-management.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/www.qualityformationsblog.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/E-waste-management-600x260.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.qualityformationsblog.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/E-waste-management-692x300.jpg 692w, https:\/\/www.qualityformationsblog.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/E-waste-management-768x333.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">As Luke Bennison, Head of Circular Economy at XMA, says, \u201c[It] isn\u2019t just about reducing waste \u2013 it\u2019s about transforming your hardware lifecycle into a strategic asset that supports both your business goals and the planet\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Website optimisation<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Optimising your website is crucial for minimising its digital energy consumption and environmental impact. Poorly optimised websites load slower, consume more data, and increase server demand, leading to higher energy usage.<\/span><\/p>\n            <div class=\"hubspot_shortcode\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/hubspot.sjv.io\/OrKdGZ\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn-brand.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/assets\/images\/hubspot_mobile.png\"\n                        alt=\"Get Started With HubSpot's Free Tools.\"\n                        class=\"hubspot_shortcode-mobile\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn-brand.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/assets\/images\/hubspot_desktop.png\"\n                        alt=\"Get Started With HubSpot's Free Tools.\"\n                        class=\"hubspot_shortcode-desktop\">\n                <\/a>\n            <\/div>\n        \n<h5><span data-contrast=\"none\">Consider the following best practices to reduce your business\u2019 website energy consumption:<\/span><\/h5>\n<ol>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>Efficient coding practices<\/strong>: Streamline your website\u2019s\u00a0code by removing unnecessary elements, minimising HTTP requests, and optimising scripts. Cleaner code reduces the processing power required to load pages, decreasing energy consumption.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>Optimising media<\/strong>: Compress images and media files to reduce their size. This lowers the amount of data transferred during page loads, leading to faster load times and reduced energy use.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>Choosing green hosting providers<\/strong>: These are powered by renewable energy sources, so your website\u2019s\u00a0energy has a lower carbon footprint.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>Implementing caching systems<\/strong>: Use browser and server-side caching to temporarily store frequently accessed data. This reduces repeated data retrieval from servers, decreasing energy usage.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>Responsive web design<\/strong>: Your website should adapt to different devices and screen sizes. This enhances user experience and avoids multiple site versions, conserving resources.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Beyond technical website optimisation, consider streamlining your digital communications. Reducing what is sent \u2013 such as by segmenting email campaigns and deploying targeted PPC ads \u2013 helps focus resources and energy on high-conversion audiences only.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, using cloud-based collaboration tools instead of lengthy email chains can reduce your digital footprint while enhancing team productivity. At Quality Company Formations, we use tools like Trello to manage assignments and collaborate on projects, as these leave a smaller digital footprint compared to long email threads.<\/p>\n<h4 aria-level=\"2\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Leveraging content delivery networks<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">A content delivery network (CDN) is a smart way to boost website speed and reduce energy use. It serves content from the nearest server instead of continuously requesting data from the primary hosting site. This reduces data travel, lowers energy consumption, and improves performance.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Benefits for your small business of using a CDN include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>Faster load times<\/strong>: Content reaches users quicker, improving their experience.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>Lower bandwidth use<\/strong>: Less strain on servers means better performance and cost savings.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>Stronger security<\/strong>: Many CDNs include built-in Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) protection to keep your website secure.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">When exploring CDN providers, ensure they prioritise sustainability. Look for services that:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>Use renewable energy:<\/strong> Choose providers that power their data centres with green energy.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>Have clear environmental policies:<\/strong> Select partners actively working to reduce their carbon footprint. For example, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fastly.com\/blog\/ai-innovation-sustainability-key-takeaways-from-ai-action-summit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-wpel-link=\"external\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Fastly prioritises sustainability<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\"> by optimising data caching and delivery, minimising computational waste, and improving efficiency.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\"><strong>Optimise efficiency:<\/strong> Check for a low <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">power usage effectiveness (PUE) score<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">, meaning the data centres waste less energy.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Switching to a sustainable CDN is good for the planet and your website\u2019s\u00a0speed, safety, and cost-effectiveness.<\/p>\n<h4 aria-level=\"3\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Take action and minimise your business\u2019 digital footprint<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Reducing your business\u2019 digital footprint is a smart business move. A more efficient digital infrastructure leads to lower operational costs, faster performance, and a stronger reputation for your business. As more consumers and organisations prioritise sustainability, SMEs that act now will contribute to reducing environmental harm while gaining a competitive edge.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Small businesses can build a more sustainable digital presence by making thoughtful changes, benefiting both their bottom line and the planet. Looking for expert guidance on building a future-proof, greener business? Check out the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.qualitycompanyformations.co.uk\/blog\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">QCF blog<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\"> or comment with any questions you have.<\/span><\/p>\n            <div class=\"complete_package__shortcode\">\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/www.qualitycompanyformations.co.uk\/fully-inclusive-package\/\" data-wpel-link=\"internal\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\"\n                        src=\"https:\/\/cdn-quality.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com\/assets\/custom\/images\/blog\/qcf-blog_sidebar.png?v=4\"\n                        alt=\"Fully Inclusive Package\"\n                        class=\"complete_package__mobile\"\n                    \/>\n                    <img decoding=\"async\"\n                        src=\"https:\/\/cdn-quality.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com\/assets\/custom\/images\/blog\/qcf-blog_banner.png?v=4\"\n                        alt=\"Fully Inclusive Package\"\n                        class=\"complete_package__desktop\"\n                    \/>\n                <\/a>\n            <\/div>\n        \n"},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Every click, search, and stored file contributes to your digital footprint. While this might seem insignificant, the environmental impact of our digital activity is growing. For small businesses, reducing their digital footprint isn\u2019t just about sustainability \u2013 it\u2019s about cutting costs, improving efficiency, and enhancing brand reputation. In this guide, we\u2019ll discuss practical strategies small&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":28,"featured_media":13319,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"categories":[114],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13314","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business-advice","category-114","description-off"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.7 (Yoast SEO v24.7) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How to Reduce Your Small Business\u2019 Digital Footprint<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Find out strategies small businesses can implement to minimise their digital footprint, including energy efficiency and green technology.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.qualitycompanyformations.co.uk\/blog\/reduce-small-business-digital-footprint\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to reduce your small business\u2019 digital footprint\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Find out strategies small businesses can implement to minimise their digital footprint, including energy efficiency and green technology.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.qualitycompanyformations.co.uk\/blog\/reduce-small-business-digital-footprint\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Quality Formations Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-03-15T19:26:02+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-03-18T11:23:27+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.qualityformationsblog.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/How-to-make-your-online-presence-more-sustainable.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1500\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"750\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Amelia French\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Amelia French\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"10 minutes\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"How to Reduce Your Small Business\u2019 Digital Footprint","description":"Find out strategies small businesses can implement to minimise their digital footprint, including energy efficiency and green technology.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.qualitycompanyformations.co.uk\/blog\/reduce-small-business-digital-footprint\/","og_locale":"en_GB","og_type":"article","og_title":"How to reduce your small business\u2019 digital footprint","og_description":"Find out strategies small businesses can implement to minimise their digital footprint, including energy efficiency and green technology.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.qualitycompanyformations.co.uk\/blog\/reduce-small-business-digital-footprint\/","og_site_name":"Quality Formations Blog","article_published_time":"2025-03-15T19:26:02+00:00","article_modified_time":"2025-03-18T11:23:27+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1500,"height":750,"url":"https:\/\/www.qualityformationsblog.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/How-to-make-your-online-presence-more-sustainable.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Amelia French","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Amelia French","Estimated reading time":"10 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.qualitycompanyformations.co.uk\/blog\/reduce-small-business-digital-footprint\/","url":"https:\/\/www.qualitycompanyformations.co.uk\/blog\/reduce-small-business-digital-footprint\/","name":"How to Reduce Your Small Business\u2019 Digital Footprint","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.qualitycompanyformations.co.uk\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.qualitycompanyformations.co.uk\/blog\/reduce-small-business-digital-footprint\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.qualitycompanyformations.co.uk\/blog\/reduce-small-business-digital-footprint\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.qualityformationsblog.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/How-to-make-your-online-presence-more-sustainable.jpg","datePublished":"2025-03-15T19:26:02+00:00","dateModified":"2025-03-18T11:23:27+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.qualitycompanyformations.co.uk\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/bed73883ca11839634a1e75d9c8ed8d0"},"description":"Find out strategies small businesses can implement to minimise their digital footprint, including energy efficiency and green technology.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.qualitycompanyformations.co.uk\/blog\/reduce-small-business-digital-footprint\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-GB","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.qualitycompanyformations.co.uk\/blog\/reduce-small-business-digital-footprint\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/www.qualitycompanyformations.co.uk\/blog\/reduce-small-business-digital-footprint\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.qualityformationsblog.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/How-to-make-your-online-presence-more-sustainable.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.qualityformationsblog.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/How-to-make-your-online-presence-more-sustainable.jpg","width":1500,"height":750,"caption":"Person typing on a laptop with floating green ESG icons, including sustainability, carbon footprint reduction, recycling, and corporate responsibility, symbolising eco-friendly business practices and environmental social governance (ESG) initiatives"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.qualitycompanyformations.co.uk\/blog\/reduce-small-business-digital-footprint\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.qualitycompanyformations.co.uk\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"How to reduce your small business\u2019 digital footprint"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.qualitycompanyformations.co.uk\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.qualitycompanyformations.co.uk\/blog\/","name":"Quality Formations Blog","description":"Company Formation and Company Registration Information and News","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.qualitycompanyformations.co.uk\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-GB"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.qualitycompanyformations.co.uk\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/bed73883ca11839634a1e75d9c8ed8d0","name":"Amelia French","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/www.qualitycompanyformations.co.uk\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/2225856d837fbf51b9dea454b7796bce?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/2225856d837fbf51b9dea454b7796bce?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Amelia French"},"description":"Amelia is Director of Operations at QCF, responsible for managing and developing the operations of all our customer-facing departments. She has a Level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership from the Chartered Management Institute and a Distinction in Company Secretarial Practice and Share Registration Practice from the Corporate Governance Institute.","jobTitle":"Director of Operations","url":"https:\/\/www.qualitycompanyformations.co.uk\/blog\/author\/amelia-french\/"}]}},"views":143,"x_categories":"Business Advice","x_tags":"","x_featured_media":"https:\/\/www.qualityformationsblog.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/How-to-make-your-online-presence-more-sustainable-128x128.jpg","x_featured_media_medium":"https:\/\/www.qualityformationsblog.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/How-to-make-your-online-presence-more-sustainable-600x300.jpg","x_featured_media_large":"https:\/\/www.qualityformationsblog.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/How-to-make-your-online-presence-more-sustainable-600x300.jpg","x_featured_media_original":"https:\/\/www.qualityformationsblog.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/How-to-make-your-online-presence-more-sustainable.jpg","x_date":"15 Mar 2025","x_author":"Amelia French","x_gravatar":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/2225856d837fbf51b9dea454b7796bce?s=96&d=mm&r=g","x_metadata":{"yarpp_meta":{"yarpp_display_for_this_post":0},"_dt_sidebar_position":"right","_dt_sidebar_widgetarea_id":"sidebar_1","_dt_sidebar_hide_on_mobile":"0","_dt_footer_show":"1","_dt_footer_widgetarea_id":"sidebar_2","_dt_footer_hide_on_mobile":"0","_dt_header_title":"enabled","_dt_header_background":"normal","_dt_header_background_below_slideshow":"disabled","_dt_header_transparent_bg_color_scheme":"light","_dt_header_transparent_top_bar_bg_color":"#ffffff","_dt_header_transparent_top_bar_bg_opacity":"25","_dt_header_transparent_bg_color":"#000000","_dt_header_transparent_bg_opacity":"50","_dt_header_disabled_background":"normal","_dt_header_disabled_transparent_bg_color_scheme":"light","_dt_header_disabled_transparent_top_bar_bg_color":"#ffffff","_dt_header_disabled_transparent_top_bar_bg_opacity":"25","_dt_header_disabled_transparent_bg_color":"#000000","_dt_header_disabled_transparent_bg_opacity":"50","_dt_page_overrides_top_margin":"","_dt_page_overrides_bottom_margin":"","_dt_post_options_back_button":"0","_dt_post_options_hide_thumbnail":"0","_dt_post_options_related_mode":"same","_dt_post_options_preview":"normal","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":"114","_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"digital footprint","_yoast_wpseo_linkdex":"80","_yoast_wpseo_content_score":"90","_yoast_wpseo_focuskeywords":"","_yoast_wpseo_keywordsynonyms":"","_yoast_wpseo_estimated_reading_time_minutes":"10","_thumbnail_id":"13319","_yoast_wpseo_title":"How to Reduce Your Small Business\u2019 Digital Footprint","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Find out strategies small businesses can implement to minimise their digital footprint, including energy efficiency and green technology.","_yoast_indexnow_last_ping":"1742296962","views":"143","_wp_old_date":"2025-03-17"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.qualitycompanyformations.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13314","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.qualitycompanyformations.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.qualitycompanyformations.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.qualitycompanyformations.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/28"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.qualitycompanyformations.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13314"}],"version-history":[{"count":35,"href":"https:\/\/www.qualitycompanyformations.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13314\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13540,"href":"https:\/\/www.qualitycompanyformations.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13314\/revisions\/13540"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.qualitycompanyformations.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13319"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.qualitycompanyformations.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13314"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.qualitycompanyformations.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13314"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.qualitycompanyformations.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13314"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}