Do I need a .ie or a .com?
Your domain is your web address. It's what people type in, and what appears after the @ in an email address. The two you'll hear about most are .ie and .com. Both work, and the right one depends on your business.
The short version
- A .ie is Ireland's own web address ending. It tells visitors your business is Irish.
- A .com is the most widely used ending and isn't tied to a country.
- A domain usually costs about €15 to €30 a year, which depends on the ending and where you buy it.
- You can choose either, or have both.
Who it suits
If your customers are mostly in Ireland, a .ie is a natural fit, because it shows people straight away that you're an Irish business. If you work across Ireland and the UK, or further afield, or you simply find a .com easier to remember, a .com may suit you better. Some businesses register both and point one at the other.
We don't promise that either ending helps you rank higher in Google. We'd choose on who your customers are and which name is available.
What a .ie involves
The .ie registry may ask you for one document, such as a bank statement with an Irish address. You send it to them directly, and we do this at the very start of your project so nothing is held up later. It's much easier to do this early than to find out about it just before you want to go live.
What a .com involves
A .com has no checks, so there's no document to send. The only requirement is that the name isn't already taken.
Whose name is it in?
Your domain should be in your name. That's how we do it. The first step on any job is registering the domain with you as the holder, either through us or by you buying it yourself. Once the website is paid for, it's yours, and the domain has been in your name from day one.
It matters because the person named on a domain is its owner. If a domain is registered in someone else's name, you may have trouble moving it later. That's why we set yours up in your name from the start.
Renewing your domain
A domain is registered for a set period and then needs to be renewed. On a care plan, your domain is included, so we look after the renewal. Without a care plan, you pay your own domain renewal. Our guide What a care plan actually does explains what's covered.
If you already have a domain
Tell us where it was bought and who it's registered to, and we'll talk through the best way to use it. There's no need to buy a new one if you already have a name you're happy with.
If you're not sure
Think about where your customers are, how easily you can say the name out loud, and whether the name you want is free in each ending. If you're still undecided, send us the names you have in mind and we'll talk you through it.
Want a clear price?
Send us your ideas, however rough, and we'll come back with a straight answer. Quotes are free, with no obligation.