What is a Domain Name? and how to choose the right one!
Choosing the right domain name from day one
Your domain might feel like a small admin task. But choosing the right one, and securing it early, could be the difference between growing your brand or scrambling to recover it later.
Because once someone else registers your domain (or a version of it), it’s no longer yours. Even if it matches your business name.
Let’s make sure that doesn’t happen to you.
What is a domain name?
Your domain is your online address. It’s what people type in to find you: www.karenahl.com.au
Think of it like locking in your shopfront – even if your business is still being built behind the scenes.
You can buy the address (domain) before you’ve built the house (website). In fact, you should.
.com.au vs .au – What changed?
Until late 2022, only registered businesses could get .com.au or .net.au. You needed an ABN, and your domain had to match your business name.
Then .au direct domains launched, and the rules changed.
Now, anyone with an Australian presence can register a .au domain. No ABN or business registration needed, just an address, licence or passport.
Why this matters:
- A competitor (or scammer) can register the .au version of your name.
- You might not even know it’s happened until a customer asks “is this you?”.
- Scammers can copy your branding and redirect people to a fake site.
- Domain privacy can make it harder to track who owns it.
Karen’s advice: If you already own the .com.au version, register the .au too. It’s like locking the back door as well as the front.
Quick domain name checklist
Use this before you register:
- Is the .com.au and .au available?
- Does it match your actual business name?
- Is it short, simple and easy to say?
- Does it look odd when written as one word?
- Could it be confused with a competitor?
- Are the social handles available?
Pro tips:
Say it out loud. Write it down. Type it into Google. Get a mate to read it back to you. If anything feels clunky, rethink it
4 domain tips that’ll save you stress
And help keep your online presence aligned with your brand
- Match your name | Avoid confusion, build trust and support your brand SEO.
- Skip the hyphens | Saying “dash” or “not underscore” gets tiring real quick. Keep it clean.
Trust me, I actually did this for my web design agency Web-Sta Web Design back in 2006. I am 100% speaking from experience!
- Register both .com.au and .au | I know I sound like a broken record, but it’s the best way to future-proof your brand. Customers are dropping the “.com” already.
- Double-check the spelling | You’d be surprised what your domain spells when written in lowercase with no spaces.
Where to register your domain (and who to trust)
When it comes to domain names, not all providers are created equal. You want a registrar that’s trustworthy, easy to deal with and knowledgeable.
Here’s what to look for:
- A clean, easy-to-use dashboard.
- Good customer support.
- DNS access (so your web developer isn’t locked out after).
- Clear ownership details.
I recommend, of course Web-Sta Web Design. Web-Sta is my own web design agency I created closed to 20 years ago. You can either register your domain name/s through us yourself HERE or, reach out to me HERE and we’ll ensure you’re ticking all the right boxes.
Domain registration tip:
Make sure YOU are listed as the registrant. Not your web designer. Not your IT mate. You. If you’re not the official registrant, you don’t truly own the domain, and that can get messy fast.
What happens after you register your .au?
You don’t need to build a second website.
Instead, set up a 301 redirect – this tells search engines and browsers to send people from your .au domain name to your main .com.au (or the other way around, depending on which one you’re using).
This means:
- People will find you no matter which domain they type.
- You keep your SEO and traffic tidy.
- There’s no confusion around which site is the “real one”.
Using Squarespace, Wix, Shopify or similar?
You can usually add a second domain in your settings and set it to forward automatically.
Using WordPress?
Ask your developer or hosting provider to set up a 301 redirect through your hosting dashboard.
Glossary – domain terms in plain English
Domain name | Your online address
Registrar | Company you buy your domain from
Registrant | You – the official owner of the domain
Reseller | Third party who sells domains via a registrar (e.g. Web-Sta)
DNS | Settings that connect your domain to your website/email
301 redirect | A permanent redirect from one domain to another
Domain FAQs
Q: Can I register a domain without a website?
Yes, and you should. It protects your brand while you get everything else sorted. Pair with email hosting, you can also get your business emails set-up before you even start planning your website.
Q: Is .au better than .com.au?
Not better, just different .com.au builds trust and .au is shorter and trendier. Owning both is the safest move.
Q: What if someone already owns my .au?
You can try to buy it from them. If they’re misusing your brand, legal options may be available, but it’s not guaranteed.
Ready to protect your brand with the right domain name?
Book a free Clarity Call and I’ll walk you through exactly what to register, where and how to make sure you own it.
Domain Names Still Got Your Confused?
I am more than happy to assist. You can either book a 1:1 Clarity Call to discuss your domain name concerns and questions.
