Dedicated IP Address?

Advantages?

[zulufox]

I have been looking at <a particular web company> for my hosting needs, but I need some help from you guys...

One of the differences between two plans is that the more expensive one has "Dedicated IP Address" for the account.

I know what an IP address is, but what are the advantages to this over a non-Dedicated IP Address

Thanks@!

[edited by: tedster at 4:16 am (utc) on Dec. 9, 2003]
[edit reason] no specifics, please [/edit]

[vrtlw]

Hi Zulufox,

There are a few advantages to having a dedicated IP address.

Firstly (as with any other address) a shared IP address means that some of your resources and presence 'appear' to certain entities (search engines, sometimes users or customers) to be bundled together with other websites (or companies). This can lead to problems if the hosting company has you on a shared address with people agressively spamming. It has been said on this board that certain search engines can block spammers on a 'per IP address' basis. If your hosting company has you sharing an address with thousands of other sites the chances of this happening is multiplied exponentially. I can sticky you with a tool I use to determine how many other sites are on a particular address.

This brings about another disadvantage. If people can see you on an individual address then you will appear to be more serious about your project. Also, if you are wanting to do commerce online a SSL certificate (encryption) is a must. You will need an individual IP address for this fuctionality.

Finally, depending on your website/business you may want to consider also getting your own name servers (DNS). While you will not gain really in the functionality provided the appearance to your customers or users of having your own DNS means you take your online presence seriously.

HTH

Paul

[richlowe]

Single IP verses shared IP makes absolutely no difference of any kind to a web site. It can make a different with email, as a spammer can get an email server blacklisted - this does not apply to search engines and such. Contrary to popular belief, customers don't care (how would they know), search engines don't care (shared IPs are the norm now, not the exception), and basically, no one cares.

The caution is, however, that unless you own the box, you do not know who else is on the same BOX. This could make a difference for performance.

And performance is what customers care about.

I have never heard of a customer checking out WHOIS data, seeing if there are other sites on the same IP, seeing if a site has it's own DNS server or any silly notions like that. These things impress other webmasters, but customers care about ease of use, performance and products. Never, ever, never will a customer care about anything technical.

[vrtlw]

Never, ever, never will a customer care about anything technical.

I disagree, I guess I am in a more technical market as I have had many customers do that. I suppose it depends upon your target audience.

How can you be so certain and definate when specifics are not allowed to be discussed?

[Chris_R]

Go with the dedicated IP. Otherwise you will always wonder "hmm, I wonder if it was the shared IP I am using".

It is worth it for your piece of mind if nothing else.

Some search Engines have banned based on IP. You never know what will happen in the future either.