What’s the Difference Between IPv4 and IPv6 (and Why Should Small Businesses Care?)
If you’ve got a small business website or you’re thinking about setting one up, you’ve probably come across some techy terms that sound like gibberish. One of those might be “IP address.” Even more confusing? IPv4 and IPv6. What are they? Why are there two? And why should you care?
Don’t worry — we’re keeping it simple. No scary coding or network engineer talk. By the end of this blog, you’ll know what IPv4 and IPv6 are, why IPv6 is becoming more important, and what it means for your website and your business.
What is an IP address?
Let’s start at the very beginning. An IP address is like the address of your house, but for your computer or phone when it’s on the internet. It helps websites, apps, and other devices know where to send information — like directions to your door.
So when someone types in your website’s name, the internet looks up its IP address and sends that person to the right place. No IP address = no website access.
What is IPv4?
IPv4 stands for Internet Protocol version 4. It’s the older type of IP address and has been around since the 1980s. Most devices you use today still use IPv4.
IPv4 addresses look like this: 192.168.1.1
It’s made up of four numbers separated by dots. Each number can go from 0 to 255. That means there are around 4.3 billion unique IPv4 addresses, although not all are available (192.168. addresses and 10. addresses are reserved for use in local networks and can’t be used on the public internet)“““` .
Back in the day, that sounded like more than enough. But we all know how fast the internet has grown. Now, with billions of phones, computers, smart TVs, watches, fridges (yes, fridges!) needing internet access, we’ve run out of IPv4 addresses. Literally.
Why we’re running out of IPv4
IPv4 was created before smartphones, before everyone had a laptop, and before everything from your doorbell to your lightbulb could be connected online. Back then, no one imagined we’d ever need more than 4 billion addresses.
But now, there just aren’t enough to go around. That’s where IPv6 comes in.
What is IPv6?
IPv6 is the next generation of IP addresses — Internet Protocol version 6. It was developed to solve the problem of running out of IPv4 addresses.
IPv6 addresses look a lot more complicated: 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334
That’s a mix of letters and numbers, separated by colons. While it looks a bit bonkers, it allows for a *massive* number of addresses — we’re talking a maximum of 340,282,366,920,938,463,463,374,607,431,768,211,456 total addresses which is more than 340 trillion trillion trillion (that’s not a typo).
Basically, with IPv6, we’ll never run out of internet addresses again. Every device, website, and even blade of grass (if we ever stick Wi-Fi chips in them) could have its own unique IP address.
Why we need IPv6
So, why do we need IPv6? Here are a few key reasons:
- More addresses: Like we said, there just aren’t enough IPv4 addresses left. IPv6 fixes that.
- Better performance: IPv6 is more efficient. It can route data faster and more directly in some cases.
- Built for modern tech: IPv6 is designed with modern security and speed in mind. It’s more future-proof.
- Improves security: IPv6 was made with security features built-in, like better encryption.
Why do we still use IPv4 then?
Good question! If IPv6 is so great, why not just switch everything over?
Well, the short answer is — it’s complicated. A lot of older systems, websites, and devices only work with IPv4. Switching everything over takes time, money, and effort. Some internet service providers (ISPs) and hosting companies are still catching up.
Think of it like changing from petrol cars to electric. Electric is said to be the future, but not everyone can switch overnight. IPv4 is the petrol car — it’s not perfect, but it still works and millions of people rely on it.
So, for now, we’re using both. Most modern devices and websites use something called “dual stack,” which means they support both IPv4 and IPv6 at the same time.
What does this mean for my small business website?
Alright, let’s get real — you’re not running Google. You’ve got a small business, maybe a shop, a blog, or a service website. What does all this IPv talk mean for you?
Here’s how it affects you and what you should do:
1. Make sure your web host supports IPv6
Most good hosting providers today offer IPv6 support as well as IPv4, but not all do. If your host is still stuck in IPv4-only land, you might be missing out on some benefits — especially speed and future compatibility.
Check your hosting dashboard or ask customer support. If they don’t support IPv6 yet, it might be time to shop around.
2. Use dual stack if possible
The best setup for now is to have both IPv4 and IPv6 on your website. That way, anyone visiting your site — no matter what type of connection or device they use — can get there smoothly. Remember that there are many people that use IPv4 to connect to the net.
Most managed hosting platforms and CDNs (like Cloudflare) offer dual stack without you needing to do anything complicated. It’s often just a tick box or setting.
3. IPv6 could improve loading speeds
IPv6 connections can sometimes route traffic more efficiently, especially in certain regions or with mobile networks. That could mean faster website loading times — and we all know how important that is for keeping visitors around.
If you’re running an online shop or service, a faster site can mean more customers and better sales.
4. Don’t panic — IPv4 isn’t disappearing overnight
If your site only runs on IPv4 right now, don’t stress. Most of the internet still uses it, and it’s not going anywhere for years. But getting ready for IPv6 now is a smart move, especially as more devices and networks start prioritising it.
How to check if your website supports IPv6
Want to see if your site is ready for IPv6? There are some easy tools online like:
Just pop in your website’s URL and it’ll tell you if IPv6 is active. If it’s not, contact your host or web developer and ask about enabling it.
What about emails and other tools?
It’s not just websites. Email servers, databases, APIs, and other tools your business might use can also support IPv6. As with hosting, the same advice applies — check your provider and update where needed.
If you’re using business emails through services like Google Workspace or Microsoft 365, they already support IPv6. You’re sorted.
Future-proofing your small business
Running a small business means juggling loads of things — marketing, customer service, product design, and more. Techy stuff like IP addresses can seem low priority, but it’s actually about making sure your digital foundation is solid.
By understanding the difference between IPv4 and IPv6, and making sure your website is set up for both, you’re giving your business the best chance to grow online without hiccups down the line.
Quick Recap
- IPv4 = older, simpler, running out of space
- IPv6 = newer, more secure, loads more addresses
- We need IPv6 for the future — but IPv4 is still around
- Use both (dual stack) for the best compatibility
- Check your hosting provider and website setup
Final Thoughts
IPv4 and IPv6 might sound like technical jargon, but it’s all about how the internet finds your website. As a small business owner, it pays to be a little curious about this stuff. You don’t need to be an IT expert, but knowing the basics helps you make smarter decisions.
If you’re setting up a new site or reviewing your current one, ask about IPv6. It might seem like a small detail, but it’s one that can help your business stay future-ready and reach customers around the world — even if they’re using the newest tech.
And hey, if you ever end up selling smart fridges or Wi-Fi doorbells, you’ll be glad you got in early!