Eco-Hosting: Scam or 'Net Sustenance
Some may say that saving a buck or two during a month is not worth the effort. Some may also say it will never amount to enough to really go against debt. However, if you save $4/month for a year you are saving $48. That is enough to pay half my cell phone bill or more than the minimum on my AMEX or a host of other things. If you add that monetary savings to energy savings it isn’t that bad of a deal. That is why I am seriously considering switching my current web hosting from Total Choice Hosting (which has been an outstanding company) to GoodAvocado Eco-Hosting.
GoodAvocado boasts pretty standard web hosting service for $4.95/month. The difference is that as a company they advertise, “We believe your needs can be balanced with the needs of our planet. Sustainability is our way of life and not just a slogan. We are 100% carbon-neutral so our footprint is small. To ensure that we take out commitment one step further we are helping to offset and curb global warming emissions by planting a tree for every account we establish.”
Here is my question though. What are your thoughts on this? Is it a clever marketing plan taking advantage of all the “going green” hubbub or is it a truly reliable new form of web hosting? Do you have any personal experience with Eco-Hosting? Please do let me know.
December 2nd, 2008 at 11:21 am
I think it’s okay. From a business sense, sure make money, take advantage of the current green situation. I guess if they boast their product like they do, then they better deliver. I can’t stand a mediocre product promising everything, but not delivering.
I also get frustrated when people are all about “going green” but when someone makes an effort to bring attention to the cause, they get criticized. (I’m not picking here, you just asked my opinion)
I’m new at this going green stuff, but I’m convinced that it is our responsibility to take care of this planet and not knowingly or willfully harm it.
thanks for making me think, buddy!
December 2nd, 2008 at 5:28 pm
Depends if they make great quac! haha.
I think its great that they are doing this, and its smart marketing to boot. However, I still will go with asmallorange over an avacado, due to their proven track record and amazing customer service. Avacado doesn’t sell me on their server farm, how they power renewably, or how long they have been in business (nothing mentioned on all fronts!).
December 2nd, 2008 at 5:30 pm
Oh yea, and there is this:
You may terminate this Agreement at any time by contacting the support department at GOOD AVOCADO, who will then provide you with a form that must be completed and returned before your account can be cancelled. No refund shall be issued. GOOD AVOCADO must receive all completed and correct termination requests by midnight on the end of the previous month in order to avoid paying for the next month’s service and account to be cancelled must be paid in full at the time of cancellation.
Love the “submit the form first” thing as well as the “no refund if we suck” thing…smacks of shadiness for me.
December 2nd, 2008 at 5:33 pm
ASO doesn’t save me any money. I could just as well stay with TotalChoice as they have been AMAZING to me over the years with as many as 15 sites at one time on one reseller account. I did notice that Avocado had not mentioned anything about when they were founded, how they were financed, etc. Those are all points of concern.
I did not notice the “submit form” thing. That is crap and keeps me from pursuing them any further. Oh well, I shall keep looking. Thanks for doing MY homework Chris. hahahahaha
December 2nd, 2008 at 9:36 pm
no problem bud!