So, we know that when you type a domain name into the search bar to open a specific webpage, you type something like www.spinservers.com. The web browser doesn’t see the domain name necessarily, it sees the domain's IP address, which then connects you to the server hosting the content.
If you are on a shared hosting environment (or even a VPS), chances are you are using a shared IP. Meaning, every client on that server is using the same IP address. Nowadays, many web hosting providers offer a free dedicated IP or as an addon. This begs the question, Do you need a dedicated IP? First, let's talk about what a dedicated IP address will do.
What a dedicated IP address will & won’t do
Not all websites are created equal. The requirements for each website aren’t always the same, meaning not all websites will benefit from a dedicated IP address.
Will Do
- Enable PCI compliance for online businesses. If you operate an online business that takes payment information, you will more than likely need to be PCI compliant. This means you will need a dedicated IP and an SSL (which you should have anyway).
- Prevent emails from going to the spam folder during marketing campaigns. It’s important to remember that IPs have a reputation, purchasing a blacklisted IP address is no fun.
- Web application requirements. Some web scripts will require you to have a dedicated IP. This prevents and issues or malfunctions that may arise using a shared IP.
- Viewable via IP. In certain situations, you may want to access your server via IP only rather than a traditional domain name. This will also enable you to start working on a website without purchasing a domain name.
- Better control. Normally reserved for a dedicated hosting environment, you can gain better control and access without using a GUI like cPanel or Plesk.
Won’t Do
- Increase site load time. Your website will not load faster by simply assigning your server a dedicated IP. Site performance is based on many factors, from great coding standards, size of scripts, image sizes, and much more. Focus on great design techniques instead.
- Provide better security (with some exceptions). Nowadays you can get an SSL for next to nothing or even free using LetsEncrypt. A dedicated IP used to be mandatory for an SSL to work. Now since server name identification was created, multiple SSL certificates can be assigned to the same IP address. Removing the need to purchase a dedicated IP for an SSL certificate.
- Better SEO performance. We could go on for hours about SEO performance and the factors that change it. But, something we can all agree on is ‘content is king’. Organic content and great website design techniques are the most important factors in Google ranking. A dedicated IP won't put you ahead of the game, even Google sites run on shared IP addresses.
Conclusion
More than likely, you don’t need a dedicated IP address. So, save yourself the money and focus on your content. If you plan on building a business online and taking payments, and sending large amounts of emails then a dedicated IP is a good idea.
If you have questions about any of our services, please contact us via email at [email protected] or by using our live chat at spinservers.com.
Spin Servers is a US-based provider of dedicated servers & affordable private cloud solutions. Our motto is to let you “spin up servers” fast, seamlessly, and affordably.
