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Do you live or operate a business in the Windy City? If so, a Chicago-based web hosting solution could be your ticket to online success. Is it a must that you keep your hosting options limited to the local area? Absolutely not, but there are some compelling reasons why this could be a good move apart from the obvious convenience factor.
| Rank | Web Hosting Provider |
|---|---|
| 1 | Web Hosting Hub (155 Reviews) |
| 2 | Inmotion Hosting (886 Reviews) |
| 3 | iPage Hosting (483 Reviews) |
| 4 | HostGator (66 Reviews) |
| 5 | GoDaddy (246 Reviews) |
Chicago is the largest city in the state of Illinois and the third largest city in the United States. Home to nearly three million people, it is also the most populous city in the Midwest region. The Windy City has a thriving finance community, one that has earned it a spot as one of the top 20 Global Financial Centres, according to London-based market research group Z/Yen. (1) Although the financial sector is a driving force, it is far from being the city’s only revenue generator. Manufacturing, publishing, and food processing are among the industries that contribute to Chicago’s reputation as one of the most diverse and balanced economies in the country.
The city of Chicago is growing as a regional market for IT hosting, mainly due to its prominence as a global financial trading capital. Over the years, it has become a central hub that sees international companies such as First Traders, Merrill Lynch, and Rosenthal Collins Group utilizing local data centers to carry out their electronic trading operations. These organizations and others benefit from the city’s superior internet infrastructure, which is provided by world-class facilities, such as the Lakeside Technology Center on E. Cermak. Boasting 1.1 million square feet in floor space, the Lakeside Technology Center is the largest data center in the world, according to Data Center Knowledge. (2)
A robust internet infrastructure alone is enough to make Chicago-based web hosting worth the consideration. There are also some additional benefits that should be taken into account as well. For example, if you run a local business, being in close proximity to the hosting company’s data center means your customers are almost guaranteed to enjoy a superb performance when they visit your website. Furthermore, having the ability to drive to the company’s office and discuss matters in person could prove invaluable from a support perspective.
Although there are some advantages to local web hosting, going with a national company is ultimately the best decision you can make. We believe there are significant advantages in selecting a firm that is established beyond Chicago. This type of national company will have the state of the art infrastructure and technology to effectively service customers from Milwaukee to Los Angeles. Make the right choice, and the company with a national presence can provide you with a lower price, better security, and service that is more reliable overall.
If supporting the local economy is something you’re solely focused on, then choosing a web host located in Chicago makes sense. However, if getting the best possible return on your investment is important to you, then the national company is the smartest choice every time. Always remember that despite their good intentions, that local company you have been eyeing hasn’t obtained nationwide exposure for a reason.
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