Registering a .com.au domain – without the hassle

Right, so you need a “.com.au domain for your business? Excellent choice.

It tells the world you mean business in Australia. But, of course, this being the land of rules and regulations, there are a few hoops to jump through before you can slap your domain name on a website and call it a day.

1. You Need an ABN or ACN (Yes, Bureaucracy is Involved)

Unlike the Wild West of .com domains, getting a .com.au name isn’t as simple as thinking of something clever and clicking ‘buy now’. No, you need to prove you’re a legitimate Australian business by supplying an Australian Business Number (ABN) or Australian Company Number (ACN). It’s annoying, but it keeps out the scammers and weirdos, so fair enough.

2. Your Domain Name Must Actually Make Sense

You can’t just register BobsSuperCoolWebStore.com.au if your business is actually called Bob’s Plumbing Supplies. The domain name has to relate to your business name, products, or services. It’s a rule. And you know what? It’s a good one. Otherwise, the internet would be full of dodgy names leading to totally unrelated websites.

3. They’ll Want Your Contact Details

You’ll need to hand over your:

• Full name (Yes, your real one, not “BigBoss69”)
• Business address (Somewhere they can find you, not “Middle of Nowhere, QLD”)
• Email address (One you actually check)
• Phone number (Preferably one that isn’t constantly on silent) These details are vital, not just for the admin folk but also for when you inevitably forget to renew your domain.

4. Pick a Domain Registrar

You can’t just register a .com.au domain anywhere; you need to use an accredited .au domain registrar. Some are good, some are expensive, and some are the digital equivalent of a dodgy used car salesman. Do your homework before handing over your hard-earned cash.

5. How Long Do You Want It?

You can register a .com.au domain for one to five years. Personally, I’d go for five – because the last thing you want is for your domain to expire right before a big marketing campaign. Auto-renewal is your friend here.

6. Don’t Lose Your Domain Management Login

This part is probably the most important from my point of view as your web developer.

Once you’ve secured your domain, you’ll get access to a control panel where you can update details, renew the registration, or mess about with DNS settings (whatever those are). Store these somewhere safe or you’re in for a world of pain when it comes time to make changes.

Final Thought – Just Do It Properly

Getting a .com.au domain is easy – if you follow the rules. And, trust me, you want to follow the rules. Otherwise, you’ll be stuck in domain registration limbo, watching someone else snap up your perfect name.

Need a hand? At Tropical Coast Web Design, we know how to navigate the system without the usual headaches. Get in touch, and let’s get your business online – properly.