Without an IP address, it would be impossible to communicate or transfer information from one device connected through a network. IP addresses serve as unique fingerprints that serve as identifiers of internet users.
Businesses or individuals with an internet service plan can have private or public IP addresses. Public IP addresses are often assigned to your router by an internet service provider. In contrast, a private IP address uses a private address space that allows devices that are connected to the same network to communicate.
Dedicated IP is yet another important IP address terminology used to define an IP address used by an individual or enterprise through a Virtual Private Network. To understand dedicated IPs better, it's essential to first grasp the concept of IP addresses in general. For more information, check out our article on What is an IP Address?.
What does having a dedicated IP address mean?
Having a dedicated IP address means that a single hosting account, which could be your business account, is assigned an exclusive address.
Having a dedicated IP address allows you to use File Transfer Protocol to access your account during domain name propagation, where your domain name will be mostly inaccessible. You can also view your shared hosting website through its IP address.
You also get to enjoy faster responses if you have a dedicated IP address when there is a high traffic load.
Benefits of a dedicated IP address
There are several benefits of using a dedicated IP for businesses and individuals.
1. Better email performance
Mail services like Gmail trust emails from a dedicated IP, more than ones originating from a shared IP. This means that email traffic from a dedicated IP address will be given priority. Emails originating from shared IP need to be double-checked by the mail services. Owing to this, they may end up taking longer to get to the recipient or even end up in the spam folder.
By investing in a dedicated IP, you will set apart your website and emails from other websites, thus protecting your emails reputation and enhancing your email capabilities. The deliverability and send rates of your emails will increase.
2. Access to your website
You may need to access your website’s files from your computer through FTP. The advantage of having a dedicated IP address is that it supports such a capability. You can access your website from anywhere and anytime you want to.
Accessing your website via FTP is particularly useful when you are yet to launch your website to give it a preview before going live. With a dedicated IP address, you don’t need to tweak the DNS settings for your domain, as it gives you direct access to the servers.
3. Supports remote work
A dedicated server can support businesses with flexible work cycles, whether in-office, hybrid, or remote. Note that some networks may only be accessible through a specific IP address. Companies do this for security purposes. It limits access to sensitive and critical business documents for people within the office space.
While this system may have security benefits, it can be limiting for remote teams. However, this will be the least of your worries with a dedicated IP. Your remote team will be able to access a business file any time and wherever they are. Dedicated IP will help your team connect to the business network through a VPN and ensure that the connection is safe.
4. Protection of business reputation
Your IP address is less likely to be blacklisted when you are using a dedicated IP. Note that dedicated IP is used by only one individual or business. Therefore, this system of identification raises no suspicion since it is easy to trace the account.
This changes how websites receive your IP. With a dedicated IP, you will freely access different websites, platforms, and services without the fear of being blocked. You can run your email campaigns and effectively reach your target audience with zero restrictions.
Since you will also not be blacklisted, individuals and other businesses will trust your brand.
5. Security and SSL installation
One of the critical benefits and reasons businesses opt for a dedicated IP address is security. Websites require SSL certificates to verify the ownership of the website keeps data secure. Most hosting servers require websites to have a dedicated IP for an SSL installation.
The certificates utilize encryption during data transfer from the users and servers hosting a website. E-commerce platforms with SSL certificates protect users’ login data and payment details. To provide security to your visitors, you will require a dedicated IP that will support SSL certificates.
6. Higher server control
You can access more on your server if you have a dedicated IP address. Direct server access gives you more freedom to customize. The other capability is direct server access through FTP. It allows easy file editing on your website and sharing of files across different systems.
You can also run your own IP-based server environment with a dedicated IP.
The benefits of having a dedicated IP address outweigh the disadvantages. The main drawback is the high cost. For one, dedicated IP services usually come at a cost. In addition, you may be required to pay more for VPN services if you want to access your website and files remotely.
Dedicated IP also, to some extent, affects anonymity. Websites may be able to build a profile of you based on your online activities then swamp you with ads.
To maintain greater control over your online presence and improve your anonymity, you might consider learning how to change your IP address.
How do I get a dedicated IP?
Having a dedicated IP significantly enhances your security and improves your network performance. To get connected to a dedicated server, you will need to make a subscription with a trusted provider.
If you are looking to enjoy improved speed, better security, and direct access to your server, upgrading to a dedicated IP would be wise. Whether you're opting for an IPv6 VPS for modern, scalable IP support or considering a residential IP VPS for added legitimacy and reliability, businesses need to weigh the benefits of dedicated IP with the associated costs to determine if it is a worthy investment. If you feel that you could benefit from the advantages of a dedicated IP address, proceed to find a hosting provider. Prices may vary across providers; therefore, choose a trustworthy provider that offers a subscription plan that fits your budget.
