What Is Shared Hosting With Dedicated IP

Shared hosting is a highly cost-effective way to get your website online, making it one of the most popular hosting options available.

Its affordability stems from the fact that multiple users share the costs of maintenance, resulting in lower individual plan prices.

What is an IP Address?

Before diving into what shared hosting with a dedicated IP entails, let's first understand what an IP address is.

An IP address (Internet Protocol address) is a unique sequence of numbers separated by periods or colons that identifies each computer using the Internet Protocol for network communication.

It basically allows devices to find and communicate with each other online.

IP addresses are produced by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), a division of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

These addresses are not random; they are mathematically generated and allocated by IANA.

What’s a Shared IP Address?

A shared IP address is an IP address used by multiple websites or users on the same server.

A shared IP address can host multiple sites on a web server.

Actions by one site owner can impact the IP reputation of all sites sharing that address.

That said, many site owners successfully host their websites on a shared IP without affecting others.

What’s a Dedicated IP Address?

A dedicated IP address is an IP address assigned exclusively to a single website or hosting account.

In other words, having a dedicated IP means your domain has an IP address that you don’t share with any other domains.

Shared IP vs. Dedicated IP Hosting

Now that you know what dedicated and shared IP addresses are, let's see how the two are different from one another.

Benefits of Dedicated IP Addresses

Greater Server Control

With a dedicated IP address, you have direct access to the server, allowing for more customization and flexibility. However, this requires technical skills to manage effectively.

Necessary for Some Applications

Certain applications and scripts, or unique server setups, may require a dedicated IP address.

Nonetheless, most applications run fine on shared IP addresses, which are very common.

Easy Website Access

A dedicated IP address allows you to access your site via FTP anytime, without needing to change DNS settings for direct server access.

No SSL Compatibility Issues

Installing an SSL certificate may require a dedicated IP address, as some hosts still enforce this requirement.

Additionally, a dedicated IP can enhance your site's security and performance

Improved Email Deliverability

Using a dedicated IP address can enhance email deliverability rates.

Shared IPs can have poor reputations due to spammy behavior by other users, but a dedicated IP allows you to maintain control over your email practices.

Enhanced Website Performance

A dedicated IP can improve website performance. Without sharing resources with other sites, you may experience faster load times and more reliable uptime.

Better Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

A dedicated IP can boost your SEO.

Search engines may rank your site higher due to the unique and consistent IP address, reducing the risk of being associated with spam or malicious sites.

What Is Shared Hosting With Dedicated IP?

Shared hosting with a dedicated IP means that while multiple websites share a single physical server, each site is given its own unique IP address.

This arrangement merges the affordability of shared hosting with the advantages of having a dedicated IP, such as enhanced email deliverability, increased security, and better compatibility with specific applications.

What Other Types of Hosting Come with Dedicated IP?

There are several other types of hosting that come with dedicated IP. Let’s quickly review some of them.

Cloud Hosting

Cloud hosting uses virtualization technology to divide a physical server into multiple virtual machines, known as cloud servers.

This allows web owners to access more storage, bandwidth, and computing power beyond a single server's limitations.

As your site grows, you can easily tap into additional resources within the virtual environment.

VPS (Virtual Private Hosting)

VPS hosting, or Virtual Private Server hosting, is among the most popular hosting services available.

Using virtualization technology, it provides dedicated resources on a server shared with other users.

This type of hosting is more stable and secure than shared hosting, as it offers dedicated server space.

Managed Hosting for WordPress

Managed hosting for WordPress is a specialized hosting solution designed specifically for WordPress websites.

It features a dedicated IP address, optimized performance, automatic updates, enhanced security, and expert support specifically tailored for WordPress users.

Reseller Hosting

Reseller hosting allows individuals or businesses to purchase hosting services and resell them to their own clients.

This type of hosting typically provides a dedicated IP address for each reseller account, offering better performance and security.

It's an excellent choice for those looking to start a web hosting business or manage multiple client websites under one account.

Why Should You Add a Dedicated IP to Your Shared Hosting Plan?

When looking for a new web hosting provider, you need to consider various factors.

Beyond deciding on the type of hosting and provider, you also need to think about your IP address.

Purchasing a dedicated IP address ensures your website is the only one using that IP. For instance, entering this IP in a browser will take you directly to your site.

Make informed decisions regarding the IP addresses associated with your domain, choose a reliable web hosting provider, and consider your site's needs

A dedicated IP prevents other sites from impacting your site's performance.

If you're undecided about the security of shared hosting, be sure to read our blog post.

When Not to Use a Dedicated IP Address

While dedicated IP addresses offer numerous benefits, there are certain situations where they may not be the best choice:

1. Limited Budget

If you're working with a tight budget, the additional cost of a dedicated IP might not be justifiable, especially if your website does not require the extra features it provides.

2. Low Traffic Websites

Websites with minimal traffic might not need the enhanced performance and reliability that a dedicated IP offers.

Shared hosting can sufficiently handle low-traffic sites without compromising user experience.

3. Basic Web Presence

For small, personal blogs or informational sites that don't handle sensitive data or require advanced functionalities, a shared IP address is often adequate.

4. No Need for Specialized Applications

If your website does not use applications or scripts that specifically require a dedicated IP address, sticking with a shared IP is a cost-effective choice.

5. No Email Campaigns

If email deliverability and reputation are not critical for your website, such as for sites that do not send newsletters or marketing emails, a dedicated IP may not be necessary.

6. SSL Certificates Not Required

Many modern hosting providers support SSL certificates on shared IP addresses. If your host offers this capability, you may not need a dedicated IP just for SSL purposes.

7. New Websites

For new or experimental websites still in development or testing phases, it’s often more practical to start with a shared IP.

You can always upgrade to a dedicated IP later as your needs grow.

Final Remarks

As you can see, the difference between dedicated and shared IP addresses is quite clear — a shared IP address is used by multiple sites on the same server, while a dedicated IP address is exclusively yours.

A dedicated IP offers benefits such as no SSL compatibility issues, easier website access, greater server control, and support for certain applications.

In addition, it is good for a business identity if you’re hosting an e-commerce related site such as an online store, and improves email sender reputation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find the best hosting plan?

As you begin your journey to find the perfect web hosting for your needs, you will quickly find that there are many different types of hosting options available. The four most common types of hosting are shared, reseller, VPS, and dedicated.

Shared hosting is a great option for those just starting out online or those who have a small number of websites. Reseller hosting is a good option for those who want more freedom over their hosting account, while VPS hosting is perfect for those who are serious about being successful online.

Dedicated hosting is the best of the best and is perfect for those who want the absolute best for their website.

Who benefits most from shared hosting?

Small businesses, bloggers, hobbyists, new startups and people looking to dabble in website development.

Is shared hosting good for eCommerce?

There are several advantages of using shared hosting for eCommerce, like its low cost, security, and user-friendliness. However, if you’re looking for a scalable hosting plan, managed cloud server might be a better choice for you.

Can I switch from a shared IP to a dedicated IP later?

Yes, most hosting providers allow you to upgrade from a shared IP to a dedicated IP as your website's needs grow.

How do I know if my website needs a dedicated IP address?

Consider a dedicated IP if your site handles sensitive data, requires specific applications, needs better email deliverability, or if you run an online store.