Dedicated IP vs Shared IP: What are the Differences?
When buying web domain hosting services, it is important to be familiar with the common terms and concepts. One such concept you must be aware of is the IP address and its significance. Whether you are starting a new website or scaling an existing one, choosing between dedicated IP vs. shared IP impacts your online presence.
In this blog, we discuss the difference between shared IP and dedicated IP to help you make an informed decision.
What is an IP Address?
An IP address, i.e., an Internet Protocol address, is a non-identical and unique string of numbers that acts like an identifier of your website. All the devices connected to the Internet are assigned an IP number. You can think of this number as your website’s house address, enabling servers to locate and communicate with your website.
Shared Vs. Dedicated IP: Definitions
Dedicated IP
A dedicated IP address is unique to a single website or domain. This type of IP provides exclusive access to your server’s IP address. This offers multiple benefits such as email functionality and security.
If you buy a VPS or dedicated server in Singapore, you get or can opt for a dedicated IP address.
Shared IP
A shared IP address is a unique identifier that is used by multiple websites that are hosted on the same server. The most common example of a shared IP address will be found with shared web hosting users. This approach is comparatively cost-effective and suitable for small websites.
Difference Between Shared IP and Dedicated IP
| Parameter | Shared IP Address | Dedicated IP Address |
| Security | With a shared IP, you may experience potential security risks. If a user engages in malicious activities and gets blocklisted, your website will also face the same rejection, tarnishing your website’s reputation. | A dedicated IP address offers enhanced security and isolation. Hence, it is a better choice for handling sensitive data. |
| Impact on SEO | Search engines want to keep their users safe, and hence, the lack of security with shared IP can affect your website’s search engine rankings. If a noisy neighbour faces a penalty, you will do too! | With a dedicated IP address, you have better security and performance. While it is not a huge factor in the search engine rankings, it matters a lot. |
| Website Speed | If you share the same server and IP address as a heavy webpage, you are more likely to experience poor website speed. However, shared IP does not directly translate to a slow website. It is more dependent on the server performance and load. | This ensures stable performance, as server resources and IP addresses are exclusive to your website. This leads to a faster-loading website. |
| Email Hosting | Email deliverability can be compromised. Suppose another website using the same IP sends spam and is blocked. You will be blocked, too. | Between a shared vs. dedicated IP, it is recommended to opt for a dedicated IP address when it comes to email hosting and deliverability. This is mainly due to the isolation it provides. |
| Pricing | A shared IP address is cost-efficient. | A dedicated IP address can be expensive. |
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between shared IP and dedicated IP address is essential for making a wise decision for your website. If you have a limited budget and performance requirements, you can opt for a shared IP address. However, with high SEO ranking and security demands, you need a dedicated IP address.
Evaluate your hosting needs with careful consideration to make an informed decision regarding shared hosting and dedicated IP choice.
