Are web entrepreneurs turning to the .IE domain?

The Irish .IE domain is proving hugely profitable and popular, despite the effects of the global recession in Ireland, the .IE domain registry, IEDR, reported today.

We previously reported on the dramatic increase in the number of .IE domains being registered since the beginning of the recession, and this increase has been reflected by the .IE domain registry data which shows organisations profits increased by 50% in the past year.

Indeed, the recession may be the reason for the growth of .IE domains. The IEDR points to “anecdotal evidence” which suggests that Irish entrepreneurs, including people made redundant during the recession, are turning to the web and the .IE domain.

“New registration growth in 2011 exceeded 10,000 domains per quarter for the first time ever, and in May 2011, exceeded 4,000 domains in one month, also a new record. Despite difficult trading conditions in the Irish economy, in particular the SME community, the company’s current trading performance looks positive,” the IEDR said.

David Curtin, Chief Executive of the IEDR went on to say, “The past year has been an extremely difficult one for the Irish economy so we are particularly pleased to have been in a position to grow registrations, provide new promotional resources and formalise policy development programmes, while increasing operating profit for the Registry in our 10th anniversary year. The operating profit has further strengthened our balance sheet and will enable us to increase investment in the .IE domain by providing new services and DNS infrastructural improvements that will deliver even greater security, stability and resilience of the .IE namespace.”

Turing to the international domains market IEDR says they are closely monitoring the ICANN’s plans to issue generic top level domains (gTLDs), which will allow all any word become top level domain similar to .COM, .NET, or .IE.  IEDR says, “These will undoubtedly represent a challenge for Ireland’s trademark and patent holders, brand managers and the owners of intellectual property rights.”

Looking towards 2012 IEDR says it expects the demand for .IE domains to remain strong, despite of the continued economic difficulties.  The IEDR also says that it will continue to support and promote the .IE domain with price promotions and its €100,000 OPTIMISE Fund, which is designed to encourage Irish SMEs to establish or improve their web presence.

The IEDR reports that there was an increase in the number of lapsed or deleted .IE domains but that this was likely due to the use of short-term promotional domain names.

Read our list of the best, worst, and oddest deleted .IE domains here.