There is technical jargon involved in the web hosting industry. If you are a seasoned professional in this domain, you might have heard, “What is my IP address?” or “Do I need a dedicated IP address?”. An IP address is a digital address of your website. It builds a unique identity.
Do you have a shared IP that is available on shared hosting? Or else, do you host a website with a dedicated IP address offered in VPS hosting and dedicated hosting? If you have hosted with a dedicated IP address, Kudos! You are on the safer side. And what is a dedicated IP address? Let’s delve deeper into it.
Table Of Content
What is an IP address?
An IP (Internet Protocol) address gives a unique number to the computer or server on the Internet. A dotted-quad number, for ex, 111.111.222.444. No computer or server on the same network can simultaneously work on this IP address.
Humans don’t have higher memory retention. Hence, we use readable domain names corresponding to the server’s IP address. DNS servers automatically translate domains into IP addresses each time using the domain name.
IP4 vs. IP6 are two types of IP addresses on the web, and these differences are mentioned below:
- IPv4: IPv4 consists of four sets of numbers separated by periods like 69.89.31.226 or 12.244.233.165. For more details, read our What is IPv4?
- IPv6: IPv6 uses letters and hexadecimal digits separated by colons, for example, 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334.
IPv4 uses 32 bit addresses, supporting more than four billion different addresses. However, more websites will require larger address spaces. IPv6 uses a 128-bit address, which means it has 1028 times more addresses than IPv6.
How Do IP Addresses Work?
Your devices, network, and the internet use IP addresses to communicate. Now, look at IP addresses when connecting to the internet and devices. Before your device accesses the internet, it should be connected to the network.
This network could be your ISP (Internet Service Provider) at your residence or the public WiFi outside your residence. ISPs assign the IP address to your device. However, it is temporary. It changes according to the network. For ex, if you use hotel Wifi, it shares a different IP address. This is one of many examples of how devices use IP addresses to communicate with each other.
Types of IP Addresses
There are two categories in which IP addresses are divided. Regular (Shared) and dedicated IP addresses are those. Here is the right piece of information to distinguish them.
– Dedicated IP Address
A dedicated IP address is allocated to the single hosting account. In other words, a dedicated IP address serves the website address. Users type their domain name or IP address for accessibility. Pairing a dedicated server with a dedicated IP address gives complete access to resources.
MilesWeb offers a dedicated IP address to a single website with the existing VPS hosting and bare metal server hosting packages.
– Regular IP Address
Regular IP addresses are also known as shared IP addresses, commonly used in shared or WordPress hosting plans. A shared IP address is assigned to multiple websites sharing resources of one server. Your web host ensures visitors are directed to the right website based on the domain name, despite having the same IP address.
Benefits of Having a Dedicated IP Address
Although the website is functional with a shared IP, dedicated IP addresses have unique benefits. Below, we have shared the facts contrasting dedicated IPs with shared ones.
– Email Deliverability
Email deliverability refers to the percentage of emails successfully reaching recipients’ inboxes. IP credibility is one of the factors influencing email deliverability. Internet service providers determine whether the email is spam or not.
A dedicated IP address isolates your data from cyberattacks. Hence, email senders do not have to worry about data theft. Moreover, the dedicated IP address allows businesses to send higher email volumes. But still, it is not recommended to send too many emails as it would be considered spam.
– Website Accessibility through IP Address
Suppose you build a website without a domain name. Still, accessing the website by typing the IP address in the search bar is possible. A dedicated IP address allows you to access your website directly using the IP address, as it’s the only domain mapped to that IP. Such direct access is helpful for developers to test websites or bypass the DNS server issue.
Additionally, in cases where the domain’s DNS records are misconfigured or experiencing downtime, accessing the website through IP will be a temporary solution. In shared hosting, there is no dedicated IP address. So, the accessibility issue may occur.
– SEO
A dedicated IP address is also helpful in enhancing SEO measures. It gives an advantage to controlling a website’s reputation, a crucial SEO factor. Sharing IP addresses puts your website at risk. Harmful SEO practices like spam linking will lead to URL blocklisting. To avoid such penalties, a dedicated IP address is crucial.
Some website owners assign an IP address to multiple domains and create websites that trade links back and forth, also known as a link farm. These measures are counted under black hat SEO, resulting in de-indexing your websites from the SERPs.
– Ultimate Server Control
A dedicated IP address gives the higher server control and access. The control panel interface of cPanel or Plesk allows users to configure the server directly. Also, managing server properties with root access, from uploading and editing files to installing and deleting files, is more manageable through the control panel.
We offer dedicated hosting with a dedicated IP and server, giving users exclusive access to resources. This setup is ideal for running gaming servers and hosting online games, ensuring smooth gameplay without lag or bandwidth limitations.
– Website Performance
Website performance matters and it directly impacts the professional online presence. The higher the performance, the more conversions are. Reports show 40% of users abandon websites that take more than 3 seconds to load.
Meanwhile, slow performance causes higher bounce rates and hurts reputation. In shared hosting, thousands of websites share the same server resources. Hence, they are unable to receive the traffic load. It slows down the website and its a performance impact.
– The Price of Dedicated IP
Price is the primary factor when deciding between a shared IP and a dedicated IP address. Getting a dedicated IP address will be an expensive deal. MilesWeb KVM VPS hosting plans are a cost-effective medium for getting a dedicated IP address with the correct server configurations and resources.
Our KVM VPS plans start at $8.79/mo. Every plan includes a dedicated IP address, full root access with up to 400 GB NVMe SSD disk space, and 32TB bandwidth. Host your website with top-tier infrastructure, 24×7 support, and resources to resolve any technical issues.
Do You Need a Dedicated IP Address?
A dedicated IP address is a unique identification assigned exclusively to a single hosting account or website. But is it necessary for you? Let’s explore some reasons!
– Direct Website Access
A dedicated IP address allows you to access a website directly by entering the IP address in a browser. It is helpful for website testing, troubleshooting, or bypassing domain-related issues. Developers often use dedicated IPs to check the website performance before linking a domain for DNS propagation. It ensures continued access in case of domain configurations.
Additionally, having a dedicated IP is beneficial while managing private servers, such as file-sharing systems or internal applications. You don’t have to rely on a domain name to reach your website or server, making it a convenient option for businesses with specific networking requirements.
– Improved Email Deliverability
A dedicated IP can enhance email deliverability by preventing spam blacklisting issues if you send high email volumes. While using the shared IP, other users on the same server send spam, leading to IP blacklisting.
This affects all websites using that IP, causing emails to land in spam folders or get blocked entirely. With the dedicated IP, you have complete control over the reputation of your email. It ensures your business emails reach recipients’ inboxes without being flagged as spam. This is especially crucial for companies that rely on email marketing, customer communication, or transactional emails.
– Better Security and SSL Compatibility
A dedicated IP is essential for websites handling sensitive data, such as e-commerce stores, financial platforms, or login portals. While modern SSL certificates work on shared IPs, having a dedicated IP provides an added layer of security and compatibility for advanced encryption protocols. Some older systems and applications may require a dedicated IP for proper SSL implementation.
Moreover, a dedicated IP reduces the risk of being affected by the actions of other websites. If a website on a shared IP gets hacked, flagged, or blocked, your website might also face restrictions. A dedicated IP helps isolate your site from these potential vulnerabilities.
– Hosting Applications and Gaming Servers
A dedicated IP is necessary if you need to run custom applications, remote desktop services, or gaming servers. It allows seamless remote access and ensures that applications can connect to your server without disruptions. Many multiplayer online games require a dedicated IP for stable connections and low latency.
For businesses, a dedicated IP also supports running FTP servers, VoIP services, or private databases that require consistent access. Investing in a dedicated IP can make a significant difference if your online presence depends on fast, uninterrupted connections.
A dedicated IP address is more than just a unique identifier—it’s a gateway to better security, control, and performance for your website. Whether you’re a business owner looking to protect sensitive transactions, a developer testing websites without domain dependencies, or a gamer running high-performance servers, a dedicated IP provides stability and reliability. It ensures your website remains accessible, your emails reach inboxes, and your online services operate without disruption.
In today’s digital world, where website security and performance matter more than ever, having a dedicated IP can be a game-changer. It eliminates the risks associated with shared environments, giving you the confidence to build, scale, and secure your online presence. If your website demands speed, security, and seamless connectivity, a dedicated IP might be the upgrade you need.
FAQs
Who typically needs a dedicated IP address?
A dedicated IP address is ideal for businesses, developers, and website owners who require enhanced security, direct server access, or better email deliverability. It benefits e-commerce stores, gaming servers, and organisations managing private applications. Anyone needing a stable and isolated online environment can benefit from a dedicated IP.
How does a dedicated IP address enhance website security?
A dedicated IP isolates your website from other users, reducing the risk of blocklisting, hacking, or spam-related issues. It provides better compatibility with SSL certificates, ensuring encrypted and secure transactions for e-commerce and sensitive data. This added security layer helps protect your website from vulnerabilities associated with shared hosting environments.
How does a dedicated IP address impact SEO?
A dedicated IP can improve website performance and uptime, indirectly benefiting SEO rankings. It prevents issues caused by shared IPs, such as slow-loading sites or penalties from blocked neighbors. While not a direct ranking factor, a dedicated IP ensures better control over your site’s reputation and accessibility.
How does a dedicated IP affect remote access to my computer or server?
A dedicated IP allows secure and consistent remote access to your server or computer without relying on changing dynamic IPs. It is essential for businesses running private servers, remote desktops, or FTP services that require a stable connection. You can access your system from anywhere without disruptions with a dedicated IP.
