In web hosting, an IP address is the numeric label assigned to a server (or network device) that tells the internet where to deliver requests for your website.
When someone types your domain (like yourcompany.com), their browser does not magically “know” where your site lives. It checks DNS, which maps your domain to an IP, usually through an A record (IPv4, like 203.0.113.10) or an AAAA record (IPv6, like 2001:db8::1). Once that mapping is found, the browser connects to that IP to load your pages, images, scripts, and other files.
How IP addresses show up in hosting
Most small business sites are on shared hosting, which means many websites can sit on the same server and share the same public IP. That is normal and usually fine for brochure sites, local service businesses, and most WordPress sites. A dedicated IP means your site is assigned its own public IP (even if it’s still on a shared physical server behind the scenes).
- Shared IP: common, cost-friendly, works for most websites.
- Dedicated IP: sometimes helpful for niche needs like certain email setups, IP allowlists, or special networking requirements.
Do you need a dedicated IP?
Usually, no. Modern HTTPS can run on shared IPs, and most sites never notice the difference. Where it can matter is when you run business email sending from your hosting stack (or you have strict vendor allowlisting), because IP reputation and access rules can come into play.
Also, your “site IP” is not always the same thing as your “server location.” Many Orlando businesses host in large cloud data centers, and you may also use a CDN or security layer that puts your site behind different IPs. What matters is that your DNS is set correctly and your hosting is stable, fast, and secure. If you want us to handle the technical side, our WordPress hosting covers the DNS, SSL, and server setup pieces that typically trip teams up.
If you’re connecting IP topics to security and rankings, our quick FAQ on HTTPS and SEO explains what to watch for when you switch hosts, add SSL, or change DNS.
