If you’ve ever wondered how your website becomes accessible to people all over the world, the answer starts with one thing — your IP address.
It’s the invisible key that links your domain name to your web hosting server.
Without it, the internet as you know it wouldn’t work. It’s the invisible engine behind websites, emails, apps, and more.
Let’s break it all down into simple, clear steps so you understand exactly how an IP address fits into the world of hosting and domains.
What Is an IP Address?
An IP address (Internet Protocol address) is a unique number assigned to each device or server connected to a network. It’s the digital version of your home address.
Every time your phone, laptop, or server connects to the internet, it gets an IP address — so other devices know where to send data.
There are two common types:
| IP version | Example | How it works |
| IPv4 | 192.168.1.1 | Uses four sets of numbers (up to 255 each) |
| IPv6 | 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334 | Uses longer strings to support more devices |
Now, if these numbers seem complicated, don’t worry. You don’t need to memorize them.
That’s what domain names are for.
IPv4 is older and widely used, but because we’ve nearly run out of these addresses, IPv6 was created to support trillions of new devices.
Why You Don’t Type IP Addresses to Visit Sites
Typing 142.250.191.46 every time you want to access Google sounds ridiculous, right? That’s where domain names come in. They’re like nicknames for IP addresses.
So instead of typing a long string of numbers, you simply type google.com. Behind the scenes, your browser uses a system called DNS (Domain Name System) to find the IP address that matches that domain.
Think of DNS like a giant phonebook. It takes the name you know (like a domain) and looks up the correct number (IP address) to call.
How IP Addresses Work Behind the Scenes
Whenever you:
- Open a website
- Stream a video
- Send a message, etc
…your device sends a request to another device’s IP address. That device responds, and data flows between them.
IP addresses come in two types:
- Public IPs: Used to identify your device on the internet
- Private IPs: Used within your home or office network
They can also be:
- Dynamic: Changes every time you connect to the internet
- Static: Always stays the same
Why You Need IP Addresses for Hosting and Domains
Now let’s talk about how IP addresses relate to web hosting and domain names.
A domain (like example.com) is just a name. A web host stores your website files. But the two don’t connect until an IP address enters the picture.
Think of a domain as your business name, hosting as your office, and an IP address as your office’s street location.
The Role of IP in Hosting
Buying a domain name means you’ve registered a name that you now own. But on its own, it doesn’t do anything.
To do something, you will the domain, dns, and hosting.
When you buy a hosting plan, your provider stores your files on a server. That server has an IP address — which is what people use (indirectly) to visit your site.
But since nobody wants to type a string of numbers to find your site, we use domains.
Here’s how it all comes together:
- You host your website on a server that has a public IP address
- You register a domain name from a provider like Namecheap or Truehost
- You connect the domain to the IP address using DNS settings
- When someone types your domain, DNS looks up the IP and directs them to your hosting server
The DNS System: How Names Connect to Numbers
DNS (Domain Name System) is the middleman that matches domain names to IP addresses.
So instead of typing 172.217.160.68, you just type google.com, and DNS handles the rest.
In your domain’s settings, you’ll see terms like A record, CNAME, or MX record. Don’t let them confuse you.
Here’s a simplified breakdown:
| Type | What it does | Example |
| A | Maps a domain to an IPv4 address | example.com → 198.51.100.23 |
| AAAA | Maps to an IPv6 address | example.com → [IPv6 address] |
| CNAME | Makes one domain act as an alias of another | www.example.com → example.com |
| MX | Directs emails to your mail server | mail.yourdomain.com |
These settings are what let your domain connect to your host’s IP address, allowing people to visit your site or send you email.
Shared IP vs Dedicated IP: What’s the Difference?
When you host your site, your provider will assign it an IP address. That IP might be Shared or Dedicated:
a) Shared IP
Used by multiple websites on the same server. Cost-effective and common for small sites.
b) Dedicated IP
Used by only your site. Ideal for private SSL certificates, email deliverability, and high-performance sites.
At Truehost, we offer a Dedicated IP when you buy any of our vps hosting plans.
| IP type | Best for | Consider if you… |
| Shared | Budget-friendly basic websites | Don’t need private SSL or custom email configs |
| Dedicated | E-commerce, apps, business email hosting | Run a store or send bulk emails |
Server Location and IP Address Geo-Impact
The location of your server, and therefore your IP, affects:
- Speed: Visitors closer to the IP get faster load times
- SEO: Search engines prioritize locally hosted content
- Compliance: Some countries require data to be hosted locally
If your audience is mostly in Kenya, host your site in Nairobi or Mombasa for the best experience.
As of April 2025, Truehost has been offering Kenyan Servers, with Nairobi Data Centers
SSL Certificates and IP Address Needs
Want to show that little padlock in your address bar? You’ll need an SSL certificate.
Thanks to SNI (Server Name Indication), you can now use SSL on shared IPs. But some setups still require a dedicated IP, especially if:
- You’re using old browsers or systems
- You need a wildcard certificate
- You must meet strict payment compliance rules
Must-Have Tools to Manage IP and DNS Settings
Here are some helpful tools to diagnose or verify your IP-related setup:
- DNS Checker — Check how your domain resolves worldwide
- MXToolbox — Analyze IP, mail, and DNS records
- WhatIsMyIPAddress — See your current public IP
- ICANN WHOIS — View ownership of a domain or IP
Bringing It All Together
To keep your website online, three things must work in sync:
- Your domain (what people type)
- Your host (where your files live)
- Your IP address (the invisible route that connects the two)
To recap, here is what you need to know:
- Your domain is your name
- Your host stores your site
- Your IP address is the exact location where your site lives online
- DNS connects it all together
Without an IP address, your domain can’t find your hosting server. Without DNS settings, your domain doesn’t know where to point.
So when someone types your site into a browser, DNS looks up the IP, connects to your host, and loads your website. It all happens in milliseconds—but the chain starts with your IP address.
If you’re setting up a website, make sure your DNS settings correctly point your domain to your hosting IP. That’s what brings your site to life.