The OpenSRS blog series on domain registrars continues with the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA), who operate the .CA (Canadian) domain name. They have a renewal rate of 74% and an annual growth rate of 20%.

Some of the statistics they bring to our attention:

• The first .CA domain name ever registered was upei.ca (1988)
• There are 1.2 million .CA domains in existence today
• More than 400,000 times every minute someone initiates an action online that involves a .ca domain name
• CIRA has targeted the small business market with ads appearing in Marketing Magazine, The Globe and Mail, CBC.ca and Yahoo Canada.

CIRA’s Annual Report has more statistics to show why your business should register a .CA domain.

• 70% wanted to show their site was Canadian
• 60% of Canadians prefer .CA for online shopping
• 35% use their .CA for personal use
• 64% use their .CA companies/organizations

If you wish to register a .CA domain name for your business or organising, then start your search now.