Advancement continues in the management of .ie internet domain names
In 2016, the Dot-IE Domain Registry, which manages the .ie domain and is the official internet address for Ireland, reported a 6% increase in revenues, totaling over €3,000,000. This growth came despite a slight decrease of 1.7% in the number of new domain registrations compared to the previous year.
The IEDR, the organisation responsible for the Dot-IE Domain Registry, also oversees a database of domain names, promotes its use, provides dispute resolution, and offers a directory service. In 2016, the registry invested in marketing and promotion activities, expanding its range of services.
Despite the revenue growth, the Dot-IE Domain Registry continued to make a loss in 2016, amounting to €126,519. Mr. Curtin, the CEO of the IEDR, acknowledged this loss as a result of ongoing efforts to expand the usage of the .ie domain amongst businesses. He emphasised the importance of a .ie website for businesses looking to develop their online presence, as it allows them to control their development and expansion, which is not possible with a Facebook presence alone.
Mr. Curtin also highlighted a trend of reduced database sizes in some registries across Europe. In light of this, he views a website as an important step for businesses, as it is crucial for displaying a business's range of products to customers online. He also suggested that a .ie website complements a Facebook presence, with the latter being essential for online sales.
However, the increased competition in the domain registry industry is not only due to the loss in 2016. The availability of new domain options like .irish and the liberalization of the international domain system have also attracted users away from the .ie option. Mr. Curtin acknowledges this increased competition, but remains optimistic about the future of the .ie domain.
Facebook, on the other hand, offers a low barrier of entry for businesses looking to establish a web presence. It is often the initial point of contact and primary means of communication for businesses online. However, Mr. Curtin stresses the importance of a separate .ie website for businesses, as it provides them with the control and flexibility they need to grow and develop their online presence.
In summary, while the exact financials of the Dot-IE Domain Registry are not detailed in these results, its revenue and losses would logically be influenced by domain registration trends, competitive dynamics with other TLDs, and regulatory developments impacting domain sales and abuse management. For precise and current figures, Dot-IE’s own financial disclosures or performance reports would need to be consulted.
The Dot-IE Domain Registry, in an effort to expand its range of services, invested in marketing and promotion activities in 2016, utilizing technology to reach more businesses. Despite the revenue growth, the registry still incurred a loss due to the continuous emphasis on financing the expansion of the .ie domain's usage among businesses, relying on finance to maintain its competitive edge in the technology-driven domain registry industry.
