If you don't have a dedicated IP (Internet Protocol) address, your hosting account shares the server IP address with other hosting accounts. In most cases, that is fine. But, you may need a unique address that the dedicated IP, also known as static IP, provides if you have a dedicated hosting website with SSL encryption or heavy traffic.

For more information, see our technical support page Web Hosting.

There are several reasons for needing a Dedicated IP Hosting, for example:

• Direct access: with a unique IP address you will be able to view your website through the IP address of your hosting, and you will have full access to your files through an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) application or web browser. DNS Propagation: When your domain's DNS record is updated, your site becomes inaccessible for a period of 24 to 48 hours. This poses a serious problem if you need to carry out operations via FTP or review any changes. Instead, with a single IP address you can load content and preview your website without any hassle! You just need to type your dedicated IP address in your browser and your site will be displayed immediately.

• SSL certificates: an SSL certificate requires a unique IP address. This is because websites that request personal information or bank details must be protected with SSL encryption that requires a static IP to function. Thus, with a dedicated IP you can have your SSL redirect your visitors to an encrypted hosting connection. (Our SSL certificates already include a dedicated IP, so you won't have to buy it separately if you add this feature to your site on your shared hosting account.)

A single IP address is unique and secure, compared to shared IP addresses. And is that most domain names share their IP addresses with hundreds of domain names so, if one causes problems, the others can be affected.

In this way, some search engines or internet service providers (ISPs) could penalize an IP address if one of their domain names sends unsolicited e-mails (spam). Thus, with a dedicated IP Hosting you avoid the disadvantages of sharing your IP address with other users.

As if that were not enough, experts believe that a static IP address can improve your site's search engine rankings, since search engines prefer sites with unique IP addresses because their domains are not associated with other domain names.

Acquiring a dedicated IP is very simple. Just go to the top of this page and click Add to Cart. The options of months of service and their prices will be displayed. Select one, log into your account, proceed to payment and voila.

As a general rule, we recommend you acquire your dedicated IP with the same service extension as your shared hosting. This way, you won't have to worry about forgetting any of your IP addresses when it's time to renew your hosting plan.

Once your purchase is finished, go to the Web hosting area in your account manager and apply the credit.

Are you looking for a dedicated IP for your SSL certificate? Needless! Our security certificates already include a unique IP address so, if you add an SSL to your hosting account, we automatically assign a dedicated IP to the server.

To add a unique IP address to your hosting account, simply log into your account. Go to the Web hosting section and click on the Options button, located next to the account you want to work with. A new window will open with a tab titled Personalize, where you will see the Server IP drop-down menu that will allow you to buy a new dedicated IP or apply the credit of one that you have already purchased.

Then add the dedicated IP; it may take 24 to 48 hours before it is activated on your hosting account.

For more information, see How to add a dedicated IP address from your hosting account.