How to Register a Domain (Without the Overwhelm)
Where to Buy a Domain (Trusted Options)
There are around 30 accredited domain registrars in Australia (as at February 2025). While many businesses offer domain registration, a lot of them use wholesale services from these accredited providers behind the scenes.
Two great options for securing your domain name:
Option 1: VentraIP
One of the biggest and most trusted registrars
Excellent support, reliable and Australian-owned
This referral link may earn me a small thank you, but rest assured, I only recommend what I genuinely use and trust.
Option 2: Conetix
Smaller and more hands-on
Great if you’re setting up email (Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace) yourself without the assistance of an IT company
Need hosting also? – use promo code Webtree30DaysFREE for 30 days free hosting
This referral link may earn me a small thank you, but rest assured, I only recommend what I genuinely use and trust.
Why You Need a Domain
- Three in four Australian consumers will only buy from a business if it has a website
- Half will only buy from websites that have a domain in the .au space – this includes .com.au, which is the standard for Australian businesses. It’s important not to confuse this with just .au, which is newer and often used for personal sites or short branding. For most businesses, a .com.au is the safest and most trusted option.
- Two in five check the domain has .au first when shopping online(Source: auDA).
- Having a domain name helps build trust, makes you look professional, and improves your chances of being found in Google.
Setting Up Your Domain
Registering your domain is usually quick and easy – you just follow the steps on the registrar’s website:
- Use their search tool to check if your domain is available
- Add it to your cart
- Enter your business details (ABN/ACN if registering a .com.au)
- Confirm your contact info
- Pay and you’re done
Most registrars will guide you through each step clearly. Don’t worry about all the extra offers (like hosting, builders or marketing packages) – you can skip those unless you know you need them.
Once it’s registered, set it to auto-renew. If your domain expires, your website and email will both stop working, and getting them back online can be a hassle. Auto-renew helps prevent that – just make sure your contact details and payment method stay up to date.
What Type of Domain Should I Get?
When you register a domain ending in .au (like .com.au, .net.au, .org.au or .au), it’s governed by auDA – the official .au Domain Administration in Australia. This means your domain is protected by Australian regulations, and there is a formal process in place to resolve disputes or contest ownership if necessary. The entire .au domain namespace is classified as critical infrastructure, reflecting its essential role in Australia’s digital landscape.
In contrast, domains like .com are governed internationally. If you ever run into issues – such as someone else claiming your brand or domain – your options for resolution are more limited and generally handled offshore.
- .com.au – best for Australian businesses (“com” = commercial)
- .au – newer, shorter, and more modern; sometimes used for branding or personal sites. It’s available to businesses, but most Australian businesses still prefer .com.au for its familiarity and trust factor with consumers. You may choose to register both to protect your brand
- .net.au – traditionally used by businesses involved in networking, technology or infrastructure services, but also available to Australian organisations as an alternative to .com.au.
- .org.au – typically used by not-for-profit organisations, community groups, and associations operating in Australia. You’ll need to meet specific eligibility criteria to register one.
Domain cost: Around $30 per year for a standard .com.au or .au domain-
Do I Need Anything to Register?
Yes – to register a .com.au domain, you need:
- An ABN or ACN
- A name or service that relates to the domain (e.g., to register greentrees.com.au, your business should relate to green trees – such as landscaping or eco products)
If you’re registering a .au (without the .com), you still need to meet Australian presence requirements, but the domain name doesn’t need to directly match your business name or service.
Can I Get Multiple Domains?
Yes – and it’s a good idea to secure variations:
www.BrownsAccounting.com.au
www.BrownsAccountingServices.com.au
You can have them redirect to your main site so no one else can register and use them. Just be strategic – only register the variations you think you’ll genuinely need or want to protect.
Make Sure the Domain Is in Your Name
When registering your domain, ensure it’s in your registered in your name or your business name, not your web developer’s or IT provider’s. If the domain is registered under someone else’s name, it can cause major issues later – especially if you want to switch providers or sell the business. You should always have full access and control over your domain account.
- Stick to the domain name registration only – avoid upsells like site builders
- Don’t add hosting unless you’re ready to use it
- Use capital letters in printed materials for clarity: www.GreenTreeLandscaping.com.au
Choosing Between www and non-www
Once you start using your domain, you’ll need to choose whether to use the www version (e.g. www.yourdomain.com.au) or the non-www version (e.g. yourdomain.com.au).
For most local businesses, best practice is to drop the www – it looks cleaner, and you’re unlikely to need subdomains later.
For larger organisations or those who may want to build out sub-sites (like portal.yourdomain.com.au or members.yourdomain.com.au), using www is more common, as it helps with future flexibility.
Once you pick one, stick with it consistently on your marketing materials and links. Your web developer will usually set up a redirect from the non-preferred version to the one you choose – but this redirect adds a tiny delay to how fast your website loads. It’s minor, but when it comes to performance, every fraction of a second matters.
Final Thoughts
Making the right decisions about your domain early on can make launching your website smoother and save you time and stress later.
If you’re planning a new website or redesign, feel free to get in touch – I’d love to chat about your goals and how I can help.
