Continuing our exploration of country code Top-Level Domains (ccTLDs) around the globe, we shift our focus to Estonia’s .ee domain. Esteemed for its pioneering role in digital innovation, Estonia stands as a beacon of technological advancement and e-governance. The .ee domain serves as a critical component of Estonia’s digital identity, offering a gateway to one of the most digitally advanced societies in the world. In the next installment of our series, we will delve into the intricacies of .ee Whois, the regulatory body behind .ee ccTLD, and the significance of establishing an online presence in Estonia through a .ee domain.
Estonia’s embrace of digital technology extends beyond mere convenience, symbolizing a national commitment to efficiency, transparency, and security. The country’s digital infrastructure, including its e-residency program, digital ID cards, and e-government services, is underpinned by the .ee domain, which facilitates a secure and accessible online environment for businesses, citizens, and e-residents alike.
Managed by the Estonian Internet Foundation, the .ee domain is more than a web address—it’s a mark of participation in Estonia’s digital ecosystem.
Our article will explore how the .ee Whois service provides crucial information about domain registrations, the advantages of securing a .ee domain for local and international entities, and how Estonia’s digital policies create a conducive environment for online businesses. We’ll also examine the challenges and opportunities presented by Estonia’s digital landscape, including navigating the legal and regulatory framework, leveraging the nation’s extensive digital services, and engaging with a tech-savvy population.
We are writing this article because our APIs work on .ee domains.
- Domain Availability API allows .ee domain availability checks.
- Whois API gets parsed .ee Whois records.
- SSL API checks if there is an SSL record installed on a .ee domain name.
- Screenshot API will take a screenshot and generate a thumbnail on any .ee domain.
Join us as we dissect the role of the .ee domain in Estonia’s digital domain, highlighting the nation’s commitment to digital excellence and how it opens doors for entrepreneurs and established businesses aiming to tap into the Baltic and broader European markets. Whether you’re an aspiring e-resident, a startup founder, or an investor, understanding the .ee domain and Estonia’s digital ecosystem offers valuable insights into one of the most forward-thinking digital economies in the world.
Whois .EE
Whois is a protocol used for querying databases to obtain the registration information of a domain name or an IP address on the Internet. It provides essential details such as the domain owner’s contact information, the domain’s registration and expiration dates, and the nameservers associated with it. This information is vital for various purposes, including domain purchasing inquiries, legal issues, and cybersecurity investigations.
The .ee Whois service pertains specifically to the country code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD) for Estonia, .ee. Managed by the Estonian Internet Foundation, the .ee Whois database offers a transparent view into the registry of .ee domains.
This service is an integral part of Estonia’s advanced digital infrastructure, reflecting the country’s commitment to open and secure online operations. Estonia, renowned for its digital society and e-governance initiatives, ensures that its Whois service aligns with global standards for accuracy and accessibility while adhering to privacy regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
This JSON Whois record provides information about the domain “shop.ee,” associated with Estonia’s country code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD), .ee. It was obtained with our Whois API.
Here are the key details and what they indicate:
- Whois Server: The record was retrieved from “whois.tld.ee,” which is the official Whois server for .ee domains.
- Domain Status: The domain is registered, currently active (“ok”), and has been paid for, keeping it within the zone file, which means it is resolvable in the DNS.
- Registration Dates: The domain was created on July 4, 2010. The expiration date is set for November 23, 2024. There is no update date provided, which could mean the record has not been updated since its initial registration or that the update date is simply not listed.
- Nameservers: The domain uses three nameservers, “ns.zone.eu,” “ns2.zone.ee,” and “ns3.zonedata.net,” which are responsible for mapping the domain name to the correct IP address, facilitating access to the associated website.
- Registrar Contact: The domain is registered through “Zone Media OÜ,” with a contact phone number provided. The absence of further contact details could be due to privacy policies.
- GDPR Redaction: The contact information for the registrant, administrative, and technical contacts has been redacted due to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which is a data protection and privacy regulation in the European Union. This redaction is standard practice to protect the privacy of individuals.
- Whois Raw Data: The raw output of the Whois query is disabled, which is likely another measure in compliance with GDPR to prevent the disclosure of personal data.
- Whois Name: The Whois service provider is identified as “Tld.”
- Status Description: The processing of the Whois query was successful.
- Domain Name: The specific domain in question is “shop.ee.”
- Cache Status: The record is not cached, which means the data is retrieved in real-time or close to it, ensuring up-to-date information.
- Requests Available: There are 14 requests available, possibly indicating the number of queries that can still be made against the Whois server within a certain timeframe or under certain rate limits.
The .ee Whois database provides a means for individuals and organizations to verify the registration status of .ee domains, understand who holds the registration rights, and facilitate communication with domain registrants for legitimate purposes.
This is particularly useful for addressing technical issues, negotiating domain transfers, or handling copyright and trademark disputes. Given Estonia’s robust digital environment, the .ee Whois service plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity and trustworthiness of its ccTLD, supporting Estonia’s vision of a secure and transparent digital space for its citizens, businesses, and e-residents.
.EE domain is Estonian ccTLD
Country Code Top-Level Domains (ccTLDs) are internet domain name extensions that are specifically reserved for a country, sovereign state, or a dependent territory. These two-letter domain extensions are defined by the ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 country codes and are delegated by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA).
Examples of ccTLDs include:
- .AU as Australia’s ccTLD
- .BE as Belgium’s ccTLD
- .BR as Brazil’s ccTLD
- .CA as Canada’s ccTLD
- .JP as Japan’s ccTLD
ccTLDs are part of the Domain Name System (DNS), which helps users navigate the internet by converting human-friendly domain names into the IP addresses that computers use to identify each other on the network.
Each ccTLD is managed by a designated organization or registry within the corresponding country, which sets the rules and policies for registering domains under that ccTLD. These policies can vary widely from one ccTLD to another, reflecting the diverse legal, cultural, and linguistic environments in which they operate.
The .ee domain is the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Estonia, managed by the Estonian Internet Foundation (Eesti Interneti Sihtasutus, EIS). This domain was introduced on June 3, 1992 (after the dissolution of the USSR), and is now available for registration by entities globally, making it very popular in Estonia and beyond.
As of March 2024, there were 160,059 registered .ee domains. The .ee domain supports registration at both the second level and the third level beneath various second-level labels, including categories for companies, individuals, self-employed people, medical institutions, educational institutions, libraries, and non-profit organizations.
The domain has undergone significant reforms to broaden its accessibility and streamline its management, further solidifying its role as a key digital identifier for Estonian entities.
The use of ccTLDs is particularly important for businesses and entities wishing to establish a recognizable online presence in a specific geographical location. By using a ccTLD, a website can signal its target audience, enhance local search engine optimization (SEO), and potentially increase trust among local customers.
Additionally, ccTLDs are often used for language-specific websites or as a strategic complement to a broader global online strategy involving generic top-level domains (gTLDs) like .com, .org, or .net.
Estonia’s .ee Domain: A Gateway to Digital Innovation and E-Commerce Success
Estonia is a Northern European country, and renowned for its extensive digital transformation and is often hailed as one of the world’s most advanced digital societies. With an internet penetration rate that ranks among the highest globally, Estonia has successfully established a comprehensive digital infrastructure that facilitates access to a wide range of online services for its citizens and businesses.
This widespread internet access has been a cornerstone in the development of Estonia’s e-governance initiatives, including e-voting, e-health, and the pioneering e-residency program, which allows global citizens to start and manage an EU-based company online.
The flourishing digital environment in Estonia has also spurred the growth of e-commerce. Estonians have readily embraced online shopping, driven by the convenience, efficiency, and broad selection of goods and services available at their fingertips. This trend is supported by robust digital payment systems and a high level of trust in online transactions.
For businesses, the Estonian market offers a fertile ground for e-commerce ventures, thanks to the country’s tech-savvy population, high internet usage rates, and supportive regulatory framework that encourages digital innovation and entrepreneurship.
Doing online business in Estonia is further facilitated by the government’s proactive stance on technology and innovation. The country’s legal and operational frameworks are designed to support digital businesses, from streamlined digital registration processes to favorable tax policies. Estonia’s commitment to digital progress is evident in its support for startups and innovation, making it an attractive destination for tech entrepreneurs looking to tap into the European market.
Moreover, Estonia’s e-residency program provides a unique opportunity for international entrepreneurs to access Estonian digital services and establish a business within the EU’s single market, even without physically residing in the country. This blend of high internet penetration (shown in the graph above), a dynamic e-commerce sector, and a supportive ecosystem for digital businesses underscores Estonia’s reputation as a digital leader and an attractive hub for online business operations.
Where Can I Buy .EE Domains?
If you want to play a role in the Estonian digital economy, what better way to start than by registering a domain name with .ee domain extension? Since we know a thing or two about largest domain registrars, we’ve looked at the biggest domain registrars and their domain availability for .ee domains.
We’ve also done similar domain research in the past when we were looking to find out where you can buy .BE (Belgium) domain names.
- Squarespace.com for example offers several European domain extensions, including .it, .nl, .UK and .eu, but not .ee. This is a good example that .ee domains aren’t available everywhere.
- GoDaddy as the largest domain registrar in the World, doesn’t offer .ee domains. Their domain availability checker always returns “unavailable”, no matter what weird domain you type in.
- Lexsynergy – offers trademark protections, and as such, offers domain registration for ccTLDs around the world (1300+ TLDs). We interviewed Daniel Greenberg, their Founder and CEO.
- Marcaria – Marcaria has been our client for several years. Marcaria.com stands as a leading online platform for global trademark and domain name registration and protection. With more than two decades of expertise, the company has successfully provided services to over 180,000 customers across 180 countries and territories.
- European Registrars – Several renowned European domain registrars offer .ee domain name registration, including InterNetX (from Germany), EuroDNS (from Luxembourg), Gransy (from Czech Republic) and several others.
- Complete list – If you want to see the entire list of domain registrars that offer .ee domain registration, click here.
