Question:

For SEO purposes, I understand that being on a dedicated IP is important. I can pay for a dedicated IP each month on a shared plan. Does being on a shared hosting plan hurt you in the SEs or not. I know there is more freedom to do things being on your own box. Is that the biggest draw to being on your own dedicated server?

Asked by: COwebmaster

My Answer:

First there is difference between being on a dedicated server and having a dedicated IP (mainly cost). You can be on a shared hosting environment and still have a dedicated IP address for each of your sites hosted on it.

As for SEO, as long as your host setup has been done correctly I don't see why Google or any other search engine would have a problem with shared environments, although I have seen negative affects on ranking when a server is overloaded and performance has been affected.

Quote: Links to virtually hosted domains are treated the same as links to domains on dedicated IP addresses http://www.mattcutts.com/blog/myth-busting-virtual-hosts-vs-dedicated-ip-addresses/

However if you are selling goods online and taking payments on your site you NEED your own dedicated server not a shared environment where others have access. The only reason for this is security not SEO.

Hope this Helps