You can also look for a Chrome extension to modify HTTP headers. A normal web request sends the HOSTNAME of the site you are trying to visit as part of the request. If you just go to the site using the IP address (and it's a shared IP by many different hosts), the hosting site won't know what website you are actually trying to reach.
This is why the HOSTNAME in the HTTP request is important.
Yes, a host file will accomplish this as well.