In most cases, no-one really wants to restrict access to their website. If you want your website visible to the general public, and you want people to be able to contact you via your website, you certainly can't restrict access to your contact page. This idea dramatically changes when somebody repeatedly spams your contact forms or blog posts. If you have been a victim of receiving spam messages on your website, you are probably thinking; "I know exactly what you mean!"
In my search to see what I could do to help my client stop the hundreds of spam contact form submissions they were receiving, I learned that blocking an IP Address can only really be done if you are using a "server-side language", such as PHP, something that can't be used on a lot of web builders such as Weebly.
The good news is, there are services out there that can provide you with an embeddable code that will work, by simply copying the code that they provide and pasting it into the <Head> code section of the site, or page.
Well, I found a solution. One that not only worked, but it also provides a few other features that can be helpful. Like the ability to direct blocked users away from your website, to somewhere like Google.com
The IP Address Approval system will work with a number of website builders such as Blogger, Wordpress, Squarespace, Wix and Weebly, to name a few. And what more, you can block IP Addresses, for free. (Read More)
If you're using Weebly, like I am, while editing your Weebly site simply visit the Weebly App Center by clicking on the "App" link at the top of the Weebly editor, in the navigation menu, or in the Settings > My Apps > and click on the "Go to App Center" link in the upper right corner. *If you are a student or a teacher using the education platform you may not have access to the App Center.
In the App Center the search feature to search for "IP" or "IP Approval", and click on the card for that app and on the app page click the Add the button and then continue, and then sign up to connect your account. Make sure to publish your site when you are done. (see step one below)
If you're not using Weebly, here are a few simple instructions to set this up on your own site. Keep in mind these are basic instructions, but should be enough to get you started!
1. Sign Up
2. Access the IP Address Editor
Once you have successfully created your account, log in and click the 'Manage IP Addresses' link, or the IP Editor navigation link.
3. Add the Banned IP Addresses4. Set the Site/Page to redirect the Banned Users
Keep in mind that changing this setting, so the unwanted visitor is redirected to http://www.google.com or a different website, would require that you upgrade to the paid version of this service.
5. Copy Embeddable Code6. Add Code to your Site
Scroll down in the Advanced Settings, and paste the embeddable code into the Header Code section.
7. Create a 'Banned' page
Click the Save & Edit button, and add a message to the content area of your Banned page.
Then, make sure to Publish the changes to your site.
For this example, I've created a "IP Address Test Page" and I am using the IP Address Approval systems 'other' feature that allows you to Close your website but Remain Open for specific IP addresses.
Note: Because your IP address is NOT on the list of allowed IP addresses, you are not going to have access to the "IP Address Test Page". But give it a try, by clicking the link below...
14 Comments
Maurice
10/31/2016 10:26:00 pm
I just wanted to say thank you for this post. You deserve a gold medal! It saved me a lot of headaches
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devid
12/8/2016 09:31:24 am
Can I use it on blogger site?
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Jeffrey
12/9/2016 01:41:27 am
I do believe that you can! While I'm not familiar with Blogger, as long as they provide a place to add code to the 'head' of the page or site (where you would place meta tags), you can add it there. Or, worse case, you could add it to the content area by embedding the code if they only offer that. Note: its best to add it to the top of the page (preferably in the head section).
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Jeffrey
4/10/2017 05:03:16 pm
Hi T,
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K
7/24/2017 01:02:13 pm
Hi there ,
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Jeffrey
7/24/2017 01:34:03 pm
Yes, this will work with any hosting platform that allows you to add JavaScript to the 'Head' code section of the website.
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Hi Jeffrey , I’ve added an ip number that I want banned but is that all there is to it? I’ve left the other fields in default - Access Denied Page and - Banned IP Page. But it says I should make a page that says banned on my website, I don’t understand, because this page shows up when on my website and doesn’t look good.
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Jeffrey Kastner
6/21/2018 06:48:42 pm
Hey Craig, I've sent you an email with answers to your questions. If you don't see that in your email inbox, please be sure to check your spam or junk folder.
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Fai
7/10/2018 07:11:50 am
Hi, thank you so much for sharing this post with us. Have you experienced slow loading after adding the code? It seems to slow down my website.
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Jeffrey Kastner
7/10/2018 04:06:14 pm
Hi Fai, I have not experienced that. It's possible there is an issue with your settings, some broken code, or maybe something temporary with IP Approval site or your account? I didn't get your website URL, to test, but if you are still experiencing problems it would probably be best to reach out to their support for assistance.
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By: Jeffrey T. Kastner
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