A dedicated IP address provides businesses with higher website stability, control and protection. IP stands for Internet Protocol and is the unique address that is assigned to each computer that is connected to a certain network. The address provides the location of a machine or website in a given network.

The difference between shared and dedicated IP addresses is quite simple. Shared IP addresses are single addresses that are used by multiple websites within one web server, and a dedicated IP address means that a website has its own address to use when accessing the web.

Businesses who share a single IP address risk facing unpredictable difficulties. When a user, who shares the same IP address with a business, gets banned or blacklisted for spamming, this affects the connected business’ reputation as well. However, this risk can be reduced when only a small number of websites are placed on a single IP address.

Dedicated IP addresses allow full control of a website’s reputation, by isolating a business’ service from being affected by the consequences of abuses made by others. It also grants access to a website at any time. The ability to access a server directly means businesses don’t need to change the DNS settings for the domain name.

Dedicated IP addresses are also good for a business’ online identity. Businesses who want to transact online must have a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate. A dedicated IP address is a requirement before having an SSL installed on a site.