.IE Domain Profile Report H1 2022

An urgent call for post-Covid data on digital adoption The .IE Domain Profile Report is an analysis of new .ie domain registrations and the .ie database. During the two years of the pandemic more than 120,000 new .ie domain names were registered. This is a very significant development. This report clearly illustrates the nation’s digital intent, county-by- county, in 2020 and 2021, reflecting a narrowing of the digital divide. However, there are major gaps in our understanding of the full extent of digital transformation across the country during the two years of on/off lockdowns. “Any pre-2019 data we have on digital usage is chronically out of date. Post-Covid data is essential for policymakers and local leaders, to help them understand what has happened, and make better decisions around resource allocation, development of programmes and supports needed for SMEs and towns during the digital decade…..” David Curtin, CEO at the .IE Digital Town Awards ceremony June 2022, issuing an urgent call for post-Covid data. We urgently need updated data in order to: u Measure SME productivity - SMEs are now using websites, apps, digital banking, platforms in the Cloud. They are selling using click & collect, outsourcing fulfilment & deliveries. These eliminate wasteful commuting, paper workflows and queuing by their customers. u Measure consumers’ preferences and behaviours - they are alternating between digital and in-store buying and browsing. u Measure the extent of the transformation of professional service delivery – estate agents, architects, designers, legal professionals, pharmacists, GPs - are all digitally transforming their businesses by using single-purpose apps, platforms, Zoom & mobile commerce. u Measure citizen’s forced adoption of digital tools and websites - they are accessing for religious services, virtual entertainment events, social gatherings and financial transactions online – and in particular to measure the remaining digital divides between old and young, urban and rural – so that digital skills training can be targeted and focused. Contents An urgent call for post-Covid data on digital adoption Timeline of new .ie 2 registrations 2017 – 2022 Cybersecurity – 3 a key focus for the .ie namespace Analysis of .ie domain 5 database and growth Analysis of .ie domains 6 by geography Analysis of .ie domains 7 by county Analysis of .ie domain 8 ecosystem About .IE 10