.IE Domain Report 2020: Key Findings
.IE have recently published their .IE Domain Report for 2020. The emergence of COVID-19, combined with two lockdowns, a cease in international travel and the mass closure of brick and mortar businesses across the country has made 2020 like no other year.
As people are forced to stay at home, and businesses are forced to close their doors, .IE domains have emerged as a way for businesses to secure clear lines of communication with their customers. Having a website has enabled businesses to advertise their products/services, communicate pandemic operating procedures and operate click-and-collect or direct-to-door delivery services.
Below are some of the key findings from this report:
Overall .IE Domain Registration Numbers
.IE domains have seen a 10% increase in 2020, compared with 2019. This can mainly be attributed to COVID-19 and the subsequent lockdowns that restricted travel and forced businesses to close nationwide.
May 2020 and November 2020 saw the biggest leaps in .IE domain registrations. These statistics line up with the first and second lockdown, showing that businesses that had no presence online saw the value in securing a .IE domain name and website to continue selling their products/services to their customers.
.IE Domain Registrations per county
For the very first time, .IE domains have increased in every country, compared with 2019. This stat suggests that businesses nationwide have recognised the need for an online presence. Counties such as Clare, Derry, Monaghan, Tyrone, Carlow, Leitrim, Mayo, Offaly, Sligo, and Tipperary have seen a massive 40% increase in .IE domain registrations compared to 2019.
As the statistic above shows, .IE registration was strong across the entire country, not just in urban centres.
.IE Domain Registrations per Country
The following numbers are the total registered .IE domains on the Island of Ireland.
Republic of Ireland: 278,042
Northern Ireland: 4,532
Island of Ireland: 282,574
Great Britain comprises the majority of .IE domains registered internationally, with a total of 1,578 being registered in 2020.
A local .IE domain has been key to many businesses mitigating the worst effects of the physical lockdowns here in Ireland. It has advantageously positioned many businesses for a more digitally integrated post-COVID 1-19 economy.
To view the full report, click here