Why this web designer fully opts for Combell’s green hosting: “The foundation for a more sustainable internet”

"Sustainability is the core principle of my business. By choosing Combell's green hosting, I contribute to a more sustainable internet and minimize the CO₂ emissions of my website," says Combell customer Jochem Oomen. As a freelance web designer, he builds sustainable websites. Let’s talk!

It’s undeniable: the ecological footprint of the internet is quite large—gigantic even! That's precisely why Combell, as a hosting company, is fully committed to a more sustainable future.

We do this primarily because sustainable hosting positively impacts the climate, but also because we aim to involve our customers, suppliers, and employees in creating this greener future. One of these Combell customers is Jochem Oomen, sustainable web designer and photographer.

Hey Jochem! Why do you call yourself a sustainable web designer?

Jochem Oomen: "Because I want to create websites that are as 'lightweight' as possible. Call it my mission!

I don’t want to take up too much space on the internet by cramming my websites with heavy data. We don't fully realize yet how polluting some servers that run on fossil fuels can be."

How do you approach this?

"It’s often about making the right choices. I don’t want to compromise my design, but rather make sustainable decisions by uploading images in lighter formats or locally hosting fonts.

Every webpage I publish is intended to be under 1 MB if possible. This way, I limit the climate impact. It also brings other benefits: your website loads incredibly fast and gets indexed faster by Google.

You can even check this yourself. Just like washing machines and freezers, websites also have energy labels. If you scan your site with the Website Carbon Calculator, you’ll get a score. You'll immediately know how 'green' your page is."

Why do you decisively choose green hosting for your own website?

"Green hosting is the first step toward a sustainable website. It reduces my ecological footprint.

As a sustainable web designer, I must lead by example. I want to show that I know what I'm talking about. Walk your talk."

Combell goes the extra mile regarding sustainability. I know you operate local data centers in Brussels powered by green energy.

Jochem Oomen – sustainable web designer and Combell customer

How did you end up choosing Combell’s green hosting?

"Clients of mine who, like myself, prioritize sustainability, recommended Combell. They're very satisfied with your hosting.

Combell goes the extra mile regarding sustainability. I know you operate local data centers in Brussels powered by green energy and communicate transparently about your additional efforts.

Though, in my opinion, you could highlight your initiatives more, such as the Combell forestin Marche-en-Famenne!"

Is that important to you?

"Absolutely! For me, it was the decisive factor in choosing Combell. As a sustainable entrepreneur, I'm wary of greenwashing.

Some hosting companies claim they use green energy, but scanning their websites provides no clear evidence that they genuinely offer green hosting.

Or there are those companies that participate in Digital Cleanup Day, but afterward, sustainability falls by the wayside. Not with Combell—you truly are ambassadors of green hosting."

By choosing servers powered by green energy, you significantly lower your CO₂ emissions.

Jochem Oomen – sustainable web designer and Combell customer

Is it important for your website visitors to know you use green hosting?

"Yes, and thanks to the Green Web Foundation label, I can prove it. I'd love to contribute to increasing awareness about green hosting.

Small business owners—like butchers or shopkeepers with websites—often don't consider the considerable impact of the cloud. It's only when you start explaining that they realize how significant the ecological footprint of those tools is."

What’s your message to other entrepreneurs considering sustainable hosting?

"Don’t hesitate; green hosting is the foundation for a more sustainable internet. For years, we've been told to minimize paper usage.

As a result, the cloud is getting heavier and heavier, and some polluting servers are jam-packed with data. By choosing servers powered by green energy, you significantly lower your CO₂ emissions.

As for Combell, I'm not only very satisfied with the green hosting but also with the support! As a customer, I can still call you the old-fashioned way and don't end up talking to someone different each time!"