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Are you a Columbus business or non-profit organization looking to create a website and build awareness online? If the answer is yes, the solution for you could lie in a localized web hosting service. While there are literally thousands of service providers scattered throughout the country, being in ear shot of your host is just one of several factors that makes this option worth the consideration.
| 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) |
With a population of nearly 800,000, Columbus is the capital city of Ohio and currently the fifteenth largest city in the United States. Although its greater area is smaller in comparison to the metropolitan areas of neighboring Cleveland and Cincinnati, it is overall the largest city in the state of Ohio.
Columbus has a vibrant business environment, one that named it the seventh “Best Place to Do Business” in the country by MarketWatch in 2008. (1) The city is home to a strong and diverse economy, as education, banking, aviation, steel, and health care are among the myriad of industries that bring in revenue.
Another emerging area that has a strong pulse in Columbus is the IT field. There are a number of technology companies headquartered in Greater Columbus, with Emerson Network Power, Furh Software Inc., and not for profit group the Online Computer Library Center being some of the most recognizable.
The city also houses some of the finest data centers in the nation, including the fully redundant Tier-4 facility iBeam Solutions maintains down on East Town Street. According to the Data Center Map, there are currently 13 data centers located in the Columbus area. (2)
The fact that the city oozes technological sophistication makes Columbus an ideal place for local web hosting. Being in the same location as your web host means you are probably in close range of their data centers as well. This alone typically results in a website that performs exceptionally well for local users and visitors.
Local support could also serve as an added benefit. If urgent matters arise, you can meet up with the support team to address them in person, or at the very least, handle issues via phone on the same time zone. These are luxuries you may not have when your host is located out of state.
Although a solid case can be made for Columbus web hosting, national web hosting is the better choice, mainly because it gives you more options. When setting your sights on a Columbus-based service, you are essentially limiting yourself to the options that are available in the city and its surrounding areas. While there may be a few companies to choose from, this number will pale in comparison to what you find on the national scene.
As far as support goes, a national company can deliver from across the country. Whether it’s via toll-free phone, email, live chat or a combination of the three, they will provide the support you need to feel comfortable with your web presence, regardless of location.
Though it often seems like a simple matter of choosing, deciding on a web host is never an easy feat. There are so many factors to take into consideration, and adding location into the mix only complicates matters. You can make this process a little less stressful by realizing that the established hosting company with the national presence is almost always the best possible solution for your needs.
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