Businesses in Louth built websites and online stores in direct response to locked-down economy, with new figures showing that businesses, organisations, clubs, and individuals across the county, registered 1,266 new .ie domains in 2021.
The figures are from .IE, the national registry for .ie domain names. The 2021 .IE Domain Profile Report, which explores and analyses the .ie database, shows that 36,875 new .ie domains were registered in Leinster and 57,530 on the island of Ireland, making 2021 the second-best year on record for new .ie domain registrations.
The 1,266 new .ie domains registered in Louth, represents an increase of 16.8% compared to pre-pandemic 2019.
According to the report, for most of last year, the rate of new .ie domain registrations largely reflected Government lockdown policy.
“In the months of 2021 when Ireland was in strict lockdown and non-essential retail was closed, new .ie domain registrations surged,” said David Curtin, Chief Executive of .IE.
“Louth businesses are investing in new websites, integrating e-commerce technology, and making use of productivity-enhancing tools all year round because they now recognise the huge role they play in profitability and customer acquisition”, he continued.
However, .IE says that the pandemic’s link to new .ie domain registrations appeared to ‘decouple’ in August as .ie domain registrations once again increased despite the Government’s accelerated reopening plans.
“We believe this decoupling occurred when it did because the Irish economy has, for the most part, exited the ‘acute response’ phase of the pandemic”, said Mr Curtin. “Businesses have factored-in the uncertainty of restrictions and reduced trading ability to their commercial operations and planning.
He continued, “SMEs are also no longer simply reacting to the pandemic. Instead, consumer behaviours are changing, and SMEs are changing with them.
“Businesses in Louth and across Ireland are investing in new websites, integrating e-commerce technology, and making use of productivity-enhancing tools all year round because they now recognise the huge role they play in profitability and customer acquisition.”
