Registration of .ie domain names is up 15pc year-on-year, according to the IE Domain Registry, which says there is strong demand for internet addresses in the trusted .ie namespace.
The latest figures from the IEDR show a total of 9,398 .ie domains were registered in Q3, up 15pc from the same period last year.
Registration rates have been growing steadily throughout the year, with monthly registrations exceeding 3,000 for nine consecutive months this year. In the first nine months of the year, new registrations, at 28,522, are up by more than 7pc compared to the first nine months of 2008.
The growth in registrations is from sole traders or limited companies, who account for the majority (83pc) of registrations in Q3.
The remainder were registered by clubs, societies and charities.
Registrations through .ie resellers accounted for 98pc of total registrations for the year to date.
The CEO of the IEDR, David Curtin, attributed the continued growth to six consecutive years of price reductions by the IEDR. The cost of registering a .ie domain has fallen by more than 64pc since 2003.
“It is encouraging to see continued growth in .ie domain names, demonstrating that Irish businesses are seeing growth opportunities online despite the more challenging economic environment they face,” Curtin said.
“Voluntary organisations and government, too, are recognising the power of local .ie websites in providing local information and in connecting with local communities. Their .ie websites are easily found by Irish people on a busy and congested internet.
“Our reseller community has been effective in driving registration growth and judging by the growth experienced so far this year, their messages and their value proposition are making an impact with businesses and consumers,” Curtin added.
By John Kennedy
Photo: David Curtin, CEO of the IEDR.
