When you sign for a hosting service, you get a dedicated IP address and other extras. If you’re new to building a website, you might wonder what that means and whether you really need one. You do.
Let’s look at five advantages of having a dedicated IP, so you can understand why it helps your website.
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1) Better Email Deliverability
A website that runs over a single IP address may experience unforeseen difficulties, which might also affect your email service. If someone sends lots of emails using the same shared IP address as you, your outgoing emails will go straight to your recipients’ spam folders, not their inboxes.
A dedicated IP lets you send emails via your IP address. A dedicated IP can be a fantastic way to protect your online reputation while ensuring emails go to the right inbox.
For instance, someone you’re sharing an IP address with can get you banned or blacklisted for alleged spamming. A dedicated IP address isolates your service from potential abuse and the consequences that come with it.
Most website owners send emails with a branded email address over a dedicated IP, and they rarely experience deliverability issues. If you decide to use a shared IP address, you have no assurance it will end up in your recipient’s inbox.
2) View Website Privately via IP
Using your dedicated IP address, you can access your website remotely. You can technically build and view the website without buying a domain name.
This method might be useful if you’d like to start building your website before you decide what domain name to register or if you don’t want to wait for the domain to propagate.
3) More Server Control
Your dedicated IP address gives you better access to your web server than standard web administration tools like cPanel. You can upload files, create file sharing, and manage your resources remotely.
You can also create a dedicated gaming server, which can host your online games, allowing you to make custom virtual environments to run high-performance apps.
It’s impossible to gain more server access or enjoy customization tools while using a shared hosting service. To enhance server control and customization, pair your dedicated server with your dedicated IP.
4) SSL Requirements
Many hosting services require new customers to install SSL certificates on their websites. Major browsers like Firefox and Chrome also mark sites with no SSLs as insecure. You’ll need SSL if you’re processing sensitive information like user passwords and credit card details. SSLs encrypt any private information exchanged between your server and a visitor’s browser.
Some years back, a dedicated IP address was a requirement for obtaining SSL certifications. Shared users nowadays use Server Name Identification (SNI). However, some hosts don’t support this technology. You might have to upgrade or acquire a dedicated IP address to use higher-level SSLs.
5) Potential App Requirement
If you intend to run custom software on your server, you may find a dedicated IP address necessary. Some custom software servers also require a dedicated IP to function correctly.
A shared IP address may cause a page to re-load as the script is running. Eventually, the script will malfunction, and you won’t see sections of your website or some functionalities. Having a dedicated IP prevents these issues and helps your website run the way it should for all visitors.