130 new festive .ie domains registered this year ahead of Christmas period
A total of 130 new Christmas-themed domains were registered on the .ie database this festive season.
Our data reveals that there are a total of 706 Christmas-themed domains registered on the .ie database. Of those, 130 were registered as new domains this year. The continued move to online shows that Christmas-themed Irish businesses are preparing for another year of digital trade as many consumers continue to shop online this festive period.
According to the data, some of the most popular festive terms to feature in .ie domain registrations for 2021 include ‘Christmas’, ‘Xmas’ and ‘Santa’.
Consumer trends
Our .IE Tipping Point Report found that the way Irish consumers spend online and in-store is changing: 68% of consumers reported that they spent more online in 2020 than they did in 2019.
Encouragingly, 81% of consumers believe that buying Irish is important1, a positive note for Irish SME’s this Christmas season.
Shoppers buying online this Christmas are encouraged to support local businesses by buying Irish, but they have been advised to stay vigilant to ensure a safe and positive online shopping experience.
Tips for shopping online safely
Below is some useful advice for consumers in order to shop safely online this Christmas:
- Shop with trusted retailers and recognisable brands. If you are suspicious, do your research to see if other shoppers have the same concerns or have had bad experiences.
- Before making a purchase online, check the address and location of the retailer.
- If prices seem too good to be true, they most likely are. Avoid clicking on unsolicited links and use your common sense when it comes to deals and prices.
- Always look for delivery details so that you know all the costs associated with the delivery of your items, including taxes and charges.
- Shop early to avoid disappointment. In the lead-up to Christmas, there can often be delays in receiving items due to increase in demand, potential supply issues, and delivery delays.
- Always look for the returns policies so that there are no surprises or hidden costs if you need to return the item later.
- Shop with websites whose addresses begin with a https:// (as opposed to a http://). In simple terms, look for the lock icon. The lock icon ensures your data is protected and your transaction is safe.
Shop local this Christmas
Commenting, our CEO David Curtin, said: “This Christmas, we are encouraging Irish consumers to continue to shop local and support Irish businesses during the holiday season.
“When we look at the .ie database, there is an abundance of Christmas-themed Irish businesses trading this festive season, ensuring that consumers have access to a wide variety of Christmas gifts and experiences to choose from.
“According to our data, Irish businesses are offering everything from virtual Santa visits, sustainable Christmas trees, festive party venues and even the turkey for your dinner, online this year so Irish consumers should be spoiled for local choice.
“For those shopping online this year, websites with a .ie address are the easiest way of finding businesses with an Irish connection.”
“Though it might not be physically located on the island of Ireland, all .ie websites must have a proven connection to Ireland. Furthermore, consumers can be assured that 91% of .ie websites are registered by businesses and individuals that are located here.”
For further insights on digital business during Covid, read our .IE Tipping Point Report.
Naomi Temple is our Marketing Specialist working within our corporate communications team.