Have you ever tried to locate a house without an address? Taxing, isn’t it? 

If you are a website owner, visitors find your site through a hidden number combo called an IP address. Think of it like digital GPS coordinates to your website.

Without an IP address, you cannot access a website. 

What is an IP Address? (In Simple Terms)

An IP address is a unique number assigned to each device connected to the internet that identifies it and allows it to send and receive data.

It tells other computers where to find you and where to send data — like a return address on a letter.

Here’s the simple breakdown:

• IP stands for Internet Protocol.
• It’s a unique number (like 192.168.1.1) assigned to your phone, laptop, or any device connected to the internet.
• Without an IP address, your device wouldn’t know where to send or receive information.

Think of it like this:

Real World	Internet
Your home has an address	Your device has an IP address
A letter is sent to your home	A webpage is sent to your browser
The postman uses your address to deliver	The internet uses your IP to deliver data

Two Types of IP Addresses:

1. IPv4: Older, shorter version (e.g. 66.249.66.1)
2. IPv6: Newer, longer version (e.g. 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334) — made because we were running out of addresses!

Public vs Private IP:

• Public IP: Seen by the internet. Assigned by your internet provider.
• Private IP: Used inside your home network (like your Wi-Fi).

In short: An IP address is what helps computers talk to each other online. It’s your device’s unique ID for

Why Does the Type of IP Matter For Your Website?

If you have a website for your business or corporation, the type of IP address can impact accessibility, speed, and the potential for future growth. 

When selecting a hosting provider, it is crucial to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of IPv4 and IPv6. For example, IPv4 is popular but is running out of addresses. On the other hand, IPv6 is a modern standard, but many networks and devices still lack sufficient support for it. 

In this case, choosing a service provider that supports both IPs is crucial. For example, Truehost services support both IPv4 and IPv6, ensuring that your website is future-proof and accessible, which is vital to the success of your business. 

Do You Need To Know an IP Address to Access a Site?

The numerical nature of IP addresses can be intimidating and complex to remember. 

If you are worried about memorizing which number comes before the first dot in an IP address, you can rest. You do not need to know an IP address to access a site.

Domain names exist so you do not have to have a paper with an IP address on it to access any site. 

To simplify a user’s access to a site, the Domain Name System (DNS) connects a domain name, such as truehost.co.za, to an IP address, allowing any user who types the domain name into a browser to access the website. 

So, when do you need an IP address? 

• When testing a server
• When you need to access a site due to DNS problems

If you need to use a website for everyday browsing, you do not have to stress about knowing the IP address. 

How IP Addresses Work with Domains & Hosting

To enable you to simply browse a domain name and have everything on a site appear on your screen, a behind-the-scenes process occurs when the small circle is loading on your device.

This entire process relies heavily on the collaboration between IP addresses and the Domain Name System. 

If you have a smartphone and want to make a call, you simply type the person’s name, and your device will find the correct number to dial.

This is the same process that happens when you type a domain name and your device knows how to locate the correct address. 

The DNS is like your phonebook. It keeps the memory of the correct internet address for every domain name.   

This is how the behind-the-scenes process of communication between domain names and IP addresses looks step by step: 

Step 1: Browse the domain name

If you browse yourdomain.co.za, you enter the domain name in your browser. However, your computer does not recognize this format of the digital address.

Step 2: DNS Translation

Since your browser does not understand the domain name version of a digital address, it asks the DNS servers to interpret the address of yourdomain.co.za.

DNS then looks up the IP address and ensures it matches the domain name. 

Step 3: The Browser connects to the hosting server

With an IP address, the browser sends a request to the web hosting server to find the website files, process any code, and send back the data. 

Step 4: Back to you

Finally, your browser receives files and assembles them into what you see when you browse a domain name.

How Does DNS Link a Domain to Your Hosting IP?

DNS translates your domain name to an actual IP address. Without DNS, visitors would have to memorize the IP address to access a site. 

If you have ever come across a term records in your domain settings, this is the simple breakdown of what they mean: 

Record	Purpose
A Record	Links a domain to an IPv4 address
AAAA Record	Links the domain to an IPv6 address
CNAME	Creates aliases (e.g., www to root domain)
MX Record	Directs emails to your mail server

Shared vs. Dedicated IPs

There are 2 types of IP addresses on the market today:

• Shared, and
• Dedicated IPs

a) Shared IP Address

A shared IP address is when multiple websites hosted on the same server use the same IP address. It is a budget option for websites offered by most standard hosting plans.

One of the advantages of using a shared IP address is its cost-effectiveness. It also allows multiple SSL certificates to be used on a single IP address. 

However, a shared IP address can tamper with email reputation because of other sites. Additionally, it provides you with limited autonomy over specific IP configurations. 

b) Dedicated IP Address

This IP address is exclusive to your website. If you are looking to have more control, this is an excellent option for you. 

The dedicated IP address features enhanced performance for high-traffic sites. It is reliable for big businesses, corporations, and e-commerce platforms.

Also, if you are running a custom mail server, this is the best option for you. 

If you have a business that requires PCI compliance, Truehost offers a VPS hosting package with a dedicated IP address as an option. 

Comparison Table: Shared IP vs Dedicated IP

Features	Shared IP	Dedicated IP
Performance	Great or small sites	Suitable for massive traffic (big sites)
Cost	Included in the hosting package	Comes at an extra fee
SSL certificate	Works with modern SSL	Needed for private SSL
Email	Can be affected by other websites	Reliable for business email

How Server Location Affects Your IP Address

The server location can impact your IP address in terms of SEO, speed, and compliance. For example, content featured on locally hosted websites has the potential to rank well in search engines. 

Also, being closer to the server can improve the user experience due to faster loading times. 

To enhance user experience and SEO, consider using a hosting package provider located in the region where you receive the majority of your traffic.

Conclusion

Your website’s IP address is not just a string of numbers separated by dots. It is the invisible GPS that enables your visitors to find you. 

If you are using IPv4, you have the advantage of a budget. On the other hand, IPv6 makes your website future-proof. Every website owner needs to understand IP addresses to make wise choices for their business.

Here are the things you should remember about an IP address: 

• The IP address connects your domain name to the server
• DNS translates domain names into IP addresses
• Shared IP is suitable for businesses, while a dedicated IP is excellent for boosting business security and performance
• Hosting your website closer to your audience can improve user experience and SEO.

Need help building a fast and reliable website? Explore our hosting plans or register a domain with the help of our 24/7 support team.