The importance of a .ie to me | ThirstFree
Introduction
Tiernan Lowney and Georgie Reilly, two young and enthusiastic entrepreneurs, set out on an exciting journey in September 2023 with the launch of ThirstFree. This isn’t just another promotional company; ThirstFree reimagines advertising by using premium spring water cans as a unique platform for marketing opportunities. These personalised cans, featuring numerous brands, are then distributed for free throughout Ireland and at major events, ensuring that they attract the attention of a wide audience.
ThirstFree uses branded premium spring water cans as an innovative promotion platform. Targeting companies and events in Ireland, the company earns revenue from ad placements and sponsorships. The cans are distributed for free at busy locations, offering high visibility.
Developing The Business
A key part of ThirstFree’s success is their strong digital presence, which is crucial for connecting with and engaging their audience. At the heart of this is them .ie website, which not only builds their brand in Ireland but also boosts their credibility and makes them more accessible in the local market. By choosing a .ie domain, ThirstFree can emphasise their Irish roots and build trust with customers here at home.
In just a short time, ThirstFree has gained incredible momentum, partnering with a wide range of businesses—from furniture stores to racecourses—showing just how versatile and effective their approach is. Looking ahead, Georgie and Tiernan are eager to expand ThirstFree beyond Ireland, bringing their innovative concept to new markets across Europe and beyond. Their goal is to make hydration easily accessible for everyone, while giving businesses a fresh and impactful way to advertise.
Why ThirstFree choose a .ie Domain
As part of their strategy, ThirstFree were keen to have a .ie attached to their business. ThirstFree co-owner, Tiernan Lowney:
We just find that the .ie shows that you’re an Irish business and people would be more comfortable working with a .ie than a .com which can come from anywhere, it is just a front-line form of validation. Especially with social media and emails, they see we are an Irish business and can be trusted which would make them more open to respond back to us.
ThirstFree made a conscious decision to go with a .ie domain to highlight their Irish presence and build credibility with local customers. This local identity has improved their sales and customer engagement. In addition to enhancing their reputation in Ireland, the .ie domain is consistent with their goal of promoting regional companies and benefiting local communities.
Website and Social Media
ThirstFree has built a significant online presence over the past 18 months. The company uses LinkedIn and Instagram as its main social media channels to interact with clients and increase website traffic. Even though they are active on TikTok and X/Twitter, they pay less attention to these networks as they feel that their target audience is more likely to be found on Instagram and LinkedIn.
An important turning point in ThirstFree’s history was the website’s launch. Their website is essential, acting as the main point of contact for questions and setting up appointments. Recognising the importance of having an online presence, Georgie and Tiernan made sure the website launched in tandem with their social media accounts. Fortunately for the ThirstFree owners, they already had good experience with website building and design and it enabled them to produce an aesthetically pleasing and easy-to-use website. The website facilitates customer interactions by acting as a central repository for information and by offering scheduling tools and contact forms.
By using a .ie domain, they subtly reinforce their Irish identity and let viewers know they are dealing with a reliable local company. ThirstFree maintains a dynamic online presence that drives toward keeping users interested and informed.
Customer Interaction and Analytics
Customer interaction is very important to ThirstFree, as the company expands, it is eager to constantly stay up to date with new trends within its operations. They currently manage chats and queries using Wix customer service apps. To improve customer satisfaction and streamline operations, they intend to implement more advanced Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems.
They will also introduce newsletter tools as part of their growth, which will ensure detailed management of both internal and external communications. Their approach puts them in a position to grow quickly while upholding their promising levels of customer support.
ThirstFree plans to get more knowledgeable on analytics as they expand, to gain insights into digital activity. Currently they are focusing on how to analyse engagement and spot trends using Google Analytics and Instagram. They are also exploring tools that will let users create their own water can designs right on the website. This customisable feature intends to improve client satisfaction, accelerate the design development, and reduce trial and error.
Promotions & Marketing
ThirstFree’s marketing strategy is as unique as their product. By promoting on water cans, they’ve created a flexible and very noticeable medium that attracts awareness wherever it moves. To maximise distribution channels, the company has formed partnerships with a wide range of businesses including Currys, Arnotts, Virgin Media, Toyota, The Buddy Cup and many more.
Conclusion
ThirstFree’s digital success demonstrates the critical significance that a.ie domain plays in establishing a solid and trustworthy online reputation. ThirstFree capitalised on the legitimacy and local relevance that a.ie domain gives by regularly engaging customers with regular updates, delivering high-quality products, and embracing automation to optimize procedures. This trustworthy Irish domain not only strengthens their brand’s identity, but also builds a stronger relationship with the local market, helping them stand out in a competitive field. Their capacity to constantly adapt to and understand client needs, combined with the benefits of a.ie domain, has been critical to their continued growth and long-term success in the digital space.
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As the trusted national registry for over 330,000 domain names, .ie protects Ireland’s unique online identity and empowers people, communities and businesses connected with Ireland to thrive and prosper online. A positive driving force in Ireland’s digital economy, .ie serves as a profit for good organisation with a mission to elevate Ireland’s digital identity by providing the Irish online community with a trusted, resilient and accessible .ie internet domain. Working with strategic partners, .ie promotes and invests in digital adoption and advocacy initiatives – including the .ie Digital Town Blueprint and Awards for local towns, communities and SMEs. We provide data analytics and dashboards built by the .ie Xavier team to help with data-led decision-making for the public, registrars and policymakers. The organisation is designated as an Operator of Essential Services (OES) under the EU Cyber directive, and we fulfil a pivotal role in maintaining the security and reliability of part of Ireland’s digital infrastructure.