The year 2009 saw record levels of .ie domain registrations, which were up 8pc on 2008, bringing the total number of .ie domains to 136,000.
According to Ireland’s managed domain registry IEDR, the organisation reported its strongest annual registration performance to date.
The number of .ie domain registrations reached 37,055 for the year, representing an increase of 8pc on the previous year’s total of 34,263. The total number of .ie domains now stands at almost 136,000.
Strong Q4
Despite the tough prevailing economic climate, the IEDR also recorded strong registration figures for Q4 2009. The latest figures show a total of 8,533 .ie domains were registered between October and December last year, representing an 11.5pc increase on the same period last year.
The previous highest number of .ie registrations recorded in any fourth quarter dates back to 2007 when numbers were boosted by the launch of personal domains and a total of 8,074 .ie domains were registered.
The 2009 registration figures indicate continued demand from Irish sole traders and limited companies, who account for more than 80pc of new registrants, for the trusted .ie namespace.
Safe domain
Last month it was ranked the second safest domain in the world after Japan (.jp) by the international security specialist McAfee. Just over 98pc of the growth in registrations was generated by .ie resellers.
“It is more encouraging still to report that overall, 2009 was our strongest year ever for .ie registrations; an 8pc increase on last year’s figure is significant against the backdrop of economic difficulty for businesses and consumers everywhere,” said David Curtin, chief executive of the IE Domain Registry.
“It is important that Irish entrepreneurs now recognise and seize opportunities for growth online. The IEDR is committed to safeguarding registrants and providing an environment that is world class in terms of the safety, security and resilience it offers Irish businesses and their customers online,” Curtin said.
By John Kennedy
