Web scraping is essential for business when gathering information on the market and competition. This tool helps business owners and managers stay updated with the latest trends. It also eases the process of collecting customer wants, competitor pricing, and more information. Unfortunately, not everyone uses web scrapers ethically, and so many websites block any scraping bot because of this. Using rotating residential proxies like the ones Smartproxy provides means you never have to worry about that again.
What are Rotating Residential Proxies?
Residential proxies use home IP addresses that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) assign. It’s an actual device’s IP address and looks identical to a natural person connecting. A rotating proxy server is a type of residential proxy that uses a new IP address for each new connection.
As such, when the web scraper sends requests for data, each request will be with a different IP, making it almost impossible to track. It also means the website can’t pick up that the requests are coming from the same server and is unlikely to block them.
Proxies Vs. VPNs
VPNs are generally more suited to individual use, while a proxy server is ideal for business use. Further, since residential proxies use home device IPs, they’re unlikely to become blocked. You can even have the web scraper send in bulk requests without problems. With VPNs, you’ll likely experience the VPN becoming blocked, as a VPN is easily detectable.
How Proxies Enhance Your Web Scraping
Several studies show that web scraping operations increase profits by 300%. This profit increase is because you get higher-quality data in a shorter period. However, that’s not all, as proxies also enhance various other aspects and allow you to scale your business operations.
Automate Data Gathering
You can automate your data-gathering process using a proxy, which frees up resources and workforce. Collecting market information is a process that can take days, if not weeks to months, depending on the information you’re after. However, you can get that information within minutes with rotating residential proxies and a web scraper.
Avoid IP Blocks and Bans
Since your IP address changes with each request, you don’t have to worry about dealing with a blocked IP. This means web scrapers can do their jobs faster. They deliver more accurate market information within as little time as possible.
It also means you can access public data without anyone tracking your activities. With no one able to track you, they can’t use it to hack your servers. You can also send higher request volumes, which will usually get you blocked for suspicious activity.
Gives Accurate Information
Websites can give misleading information if they believe you’re using a VPN or making suspicious requests. That’s why you want the interaction to be as life-like as possible, so it looks like another customer accessing the site. These proxies are the best for that, as your IP address is connected to an ISP instead of a data center IP or simply encrypted.
Access Other Markets
Residential proxy networks are at least 2,000% larger than data center networks and have better security and privacy features. With the size of the residential proxy network, businesses get access to a global data market with a value of over $36 billion. Studies even predict that the market can reach a value of $234.6 billion in 2026. You can set the proxy network to almost anywhere worldwide, so you never struggle to access a specific market.
Keeps Company Information Secure
When you use a data miner with your IP address, it means your IP can be tracked. Hackers and such can see that you accessed a site and used a web scraper with a specific IP if they’re trying to sabotage your business. With a proxy, you’re using an unrelated IP, so they won’t be able to access your servers or find a gap in your cybersecurity due to the data miner.
Collects Accurate Aggregator Data
Proxies allow you to more easily set up an aggregator business, as they provide almost instant access to market information. Aggregator businesses need to have the latest news, and proxies let you collect that information continuously without interruption, coming in the form of bans or data miners working slowly.
Maintains Anonymity
Many websites and social media sites can now detect a corporate data center IP address, which means you can’t access them or get incorrect information. However, a residential proxy hides that you’re using a proxy, which keeps the web scraper anonymous from the website’s detection software.
Web Scraping with Style and Precision
Web scrapers are one of your most critical business tools, but you only use them effectively if you pair them with a proxy. Rotating residential proxies helps you raise the accuracy and quality of your data with faster data acquisition. As such, you gather more and better information to help structure your business dealings and market strategies. It’s also vital when opening a business like an aggregator site.
