The recently launched .ie Domain Profile Report 2024 gives a glimpse into future economic activity in Ireland, highlighting the value of a strong online presence in response to the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
The report reveals that .ie continues to hold majority share of Ireland’s hosted domains (54%) followed by .com (29%) and .UK (7%) with a 16% increase in the total .ie database over the past five years, despite marginal decrease in total database vs. 2023 (0.5%).
Both nationally and globally, changes in the way consumers engage with eCommerce (for instance via social media platforms) highlights the importance of establishing a stable digital presence via a controlled and secure website.
Now in its tenth year, the report is an annual exploration of the .ie database and is published by .ie, the national registry for .ie domain names. It also highlights the challenges and opportunities faced by internet users, businesses and government within Ireland’s online ecosystem.
Digital Intention vs. Digital Growth
.ie’s flagship Digital Readiness Monitor report published last August revealed that one in three (36%) websites in Ireland have a low or very low level of sophistication. A website and the associated technologies it uses serves as an indicator of how digitally advanced an organisation is. If the website is modern, functional, and user-friendly, it reflects that the overall approach to digital transformation and investment in technology. It is clear from .ie’s Domain Profile Report, and the Digital Readiness Monitor, that there is strong digital intention in Ireland; however websites are under-developed and digital growth is not yet possible.
Overcoming the Digital Divide
The Domain Profile report also emphasises that digital technologies have the “potential to reduce the death of distance” and bridge the gap between rural and urban areas and unlock new opportunities for Irish businesses, regardless of location. However, the report identifies evidence of an ongoing digital
divide based on location, size and sector, in particular for micro-SMEs with fewer than 10 employees.
The digital divide does appear to be lessening in commuter areas such as Kildare, Meath and Limerick where new .ie domain registrations continue to rise, however Connacht and Ulster largely recorded a decline in new registrations in 2024. .ie want to work with government to lessen this divide and ensure businesses can thrive and prosper online regardless of location.
Importance of a Website and Omni-Channel Approach
There has been a notable decline in domain creations on a global scale. CENTR, the association of European country code top-level domain (ccTLD) registries, has highlighted notable shifts in recent years, particularly post-Covid. One potential reason for domain registration decline may be due to a recent surge in social selling where social media apps such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok now have eCommerce capabilities on the app.
A .ie website provides reassurance for business owners that their main point of contact with consumers is safe from cyber threats, as .ie websites boast significantly lower levels of spam and cyber threats when compared to other top-level domains.
.ie continuously works to reduce the impact of security threats to the .ie namespace. This includes manually reviewing .ie applications; continuous security scanning the .ie database; and ensuring consumer protection protocols are in line with national regulators and agencies.
Additional Domain Database Findings
Leitrim recorded the largest percentage growth (+51%) in new .ie domain registrations compared to 2023, followed by Tyrone (+20%) and Meath (+19%). Fermanagh has the smallest number of total .ie domain registrations in the country as just 191 total domains are registered there.
Keywords used in domain registrations continue to provide insight to public interest as Ireland, Dublin, Home, Design and House were among the top keywords used in registrations last year.
The .ie Domain Profile Report 2024 can be viewed at www.weare.ie/ie-domain-profile-report/.
For more information visit www.weare.ie
