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If you are an Australian business, your journey into the digital world likely started with one simple task: registering a domain name. It feels like a straightforward first step, right?
But what if that first step was not on solid ground? What if this seemingly simple decision was actually a foundational choice, filled with hidden complexities that could have major consequences for your organisation and brand down the track?
Online is Easy video explainer: 5 Domain Name Truths for Australian Businesses
Okay, I will admit it -- I added '2026' to the title for a bit of new year clickbait. Of course I’ve used AI to generate images, after all, it saves time, it’s fun, and I’m still only human! 😊 But in all seriousness, if you you’ve been operating your organisation for years or your just starting out, the truths in this article are timeless.
The core principles of domain management have not really changed in over a decade. In fact, the video I often reference from ASIC is now over 11 years old! But I still see people getting caught out every day, so this advice remains as vital today as it was a decade ago.
I’ve seen many local businesses and groups start on shaky ground because they did not fully understand the rules of the Australian domain space. Your domain name is the 'concrete foundation' of your entire digital footprint. It is the plot of land on which you will build everything else. Get it wrong, and you risk serious cracks appearing in your business structure later on.
Getting your registration right from day one ensures your brand's structure remains solid as you grow. I have put together five of the most impactful and often misunderstood truths about domain names to help you build your side-hustle, business, NFP organisation, or local club on solid ground from day one (or to correct it now, even if you’ve been operating for years).
Many business owners mistakenly believe that registering a domain and a business name with ASIC gives them exclusive rights. It does not. As legal experts from ASIC and IP Australia point out, business name registration simply gives you the right to trade under that name, but it does not protect your brand from others using it.
Think of it this way: a domain is like leasing land, while a trademark is the official title deed that proves you own it. However, for a new business, we recommend a "Flash Iteration" strategy for immediate brand protection. As a sole trader, once you have your ABN, you can immediately register the .com.au, .au, and .com extensions. This creates a digital defensive perimeter - an Minimum Viable Product (MVP) version of IP protection - that stops others from squatting on your name while you launch, deferring the significant cost and time (minimum 7 months) of a trademark application until your business proves its viability.
The only way to gain exclusive legal rights and turn your brand name into a defensible, valuable business asset is by registering a trademark with IP Australia. Without a trademark, your foundation is built on rented land. But by securing your domain "bundle" first, you protect your digital storefront today, allowing you to go through the formal (and more costly) IP Australian Trademark process later once your business has launched successfully.
Among the many details involved in setting up your business online, one crucial best practice is frequently overlooked: maintaining absolute control over the email address associated with your domain registration, known as the “Registrant Contact Email”
This email address is the master key to your domain's ownership and administration. All vital communications, renewal notices, and security alerts are sent here. I often see new business owners go wrong by allowing a web developer or third party to use their own email address for the registration. This effectively hands over control of your most critical business asset.
To be honest, way too much of my time is spent on domain recovery for small businesses due to questionable domain management practices. By ensuring the registration email is one you personally control, you guarantee that you remain the rightful registrant and receive all vital communications. It is a simple step that prevents you from ever being locked out of your own digital foundation. This simple step means your digital footprint work is delegated, not abdicated.
A .au domain extension is far more than just the end of a web address; it is a powerful signal of trust and credibility that resonates deeply with Australian and overseas consumers. It acts as a 'secret handshake' that tells customers you are a legitimate local operator.
auDA produces The Digital Lives of Australians research report annually.
Research in 2025 from auDA (the administrator of Australian domains) highlights just how much this matters:
Trust factor: Three in four Australian consumers are more likely to trust a business if its website ends in .au.
Purchasing habits: Half of all Australian consumers will only purchase from a business online if they have an Australian website ending in .au.
This trust is built on a regulated framework. Unlike some badly regulated international domains, like .tk and even .com, and vanity domains, like .xyz & .top, which harbour malware, phishing, and general cyber attack threats with minimal or no recourse. I often describe theses as the 'wild, wild west,' and the .au space as a safe harbour.
Back when the direct .au domain space was being released to the public in 2022, I was interviewed by The Guardian Australia and I noted that buying a domain in Australia was a 'level playing field' because of these strict rules. I truly believe that 'Australia is actually leading the way with an ethical, open and fair internet'.
Furthermore, a .au extension provides a distinct SEO advantage by signalling your geographical relevance to search engines, helping your business rank higher in local Australian search results and giving overseas shoppers a clearer signal of your business location and credibility.
In the excitement of starting a new venture, it is tempting to rush out and register the perfect domain name first. This is a common mistake. Think of it like trying to pour the concrete foundation before you have surveyed the property lines or gotten a building permit.
We recommend you follow these steps in chronological order to avoid eligibility headaches and to firmly establish your professional digital identity in Australia:
Decide on your business structure: Are you a Sole Trader or a Pty Ltd Company? This determines your legal obligations.
Obtain an ABN, ACN, or BN: This is mandatory proof of eligibility required for .com.au and .net.au domains.
OR, confirm your NFP and/or ASN status: have your registered not-for-profit and/or your Australian club/associations number. This is mandatory proof of eligibility required for .org.au and .asn.au domains.
AND/OR, secure your .au direct domain: .au direct domain names can be registered by anyone with a validated connection to Australia. This includes citizens, permanent residents, Australian trade mark holders and organisations registered in Australia. It can be a personal choice or a shortened version of your domain name, yourbusiness.au - if nothing else, it helps lock down your brand protection (as well as registering the .com.org. or .net versions or your domain)
Register your domain name(s): With the correct registration and certification in place, you can register your chosen domain(s), confident that you meet the eligibility criteria and that you are protecting your business brand.
Following this order ensures you are legally entitled to the domain and secures your brand identity correctly from the beginning.
IMPORTANT!! if you incorrectly register your .au domain(s), they can be taken off you!
The most immediate benefit is a professional email address (e.g., hello@yourbusiness.com.au). This instantly conveys a level of trustworthiness that a generic @bigpond.com, @yahoo.com, @gmail.com or @outlook.com address cannot match. It shows your prospective customers you are an established, serious organisation. It is part of your brand image and a custom email address implies you’re not a backyard setup, but a professional business.
At Online is Easy, we consider your domain name to be the bedrock of your digital footprint and one of the '5 steps to Digital Strategy success' we use, alongside your digital workspace, website, legal compliance, and SEO/AIO.
Your domain is the foundation for both your 'storefront' (website) and your 'engine room' (digital workspace). Using a professional email as part of your engine room reinforces your brand's credibility with every communication you send.
Follow the flowchart steps:
Registering a domain name is a critical business decision that requires a bit of strategic thought. It is about ensuring your most important digital asset is registered correctly to the right person, with the right credentials.
1. Register your business at business.gov.au
2. Decide if Trademarking is right for you and review your exposure.
3. If you’ve done that, you’re ready to Search and Register your domain.
Selecting the search bar will open a new window for you to search and buy a domain name in Online is Easy’s secure console.
CRITICAL!! Make sure you use an email address YOU OWN to setup your domain account. If you already own a domain name, check; do you control it? Use the auDA WHOIS domain lookup tool (whois.auda.org.au) to ensure an email address you control is the correct ‘Registrant Contact Email’. Ask your web designer or IT provider why if it’s not!
4. Setup a custom email address for your business. Our advice is to use the Google Workspace productivity suite. Once you have your business email setup, is your domain and custom email protected from cybercrime & malware? Read more in our blog post Email Hacking: is your business protected?
BONUS TIP!! Are you ready to setup your website?
Once you’ve worked through the above steps, the next step is your website. We can help, or you can do it yourself with Squarespace. Use this link to get a 20% off your first subscription payment and a longer trial.
I want to setup a Squarespace website myself >
Do you need a hand? No stress 😊👍🏼
At Online is Easy, we specialise in helping Australian SMBs and community groups build secure digital foundations without the confusing technical jargon. As an Australian Domain Name Reseller, authorised Google Workspace Reseller and Squarespace Expert, I focus on making sure your digital 'engine room' and 'storefront' work together perfectly.
If you are unsure if your domain is registered correctly or if you are worried about your digital workspace setup, let's have a chat. Book a Discovery Call today to ensure your digital foundation is built to last.
Sources:
auDA 2025 Research: https://www.auda.org.au/news-insights/research-reports/digital-lives-of-australians/
ASIC Business Names vs Trademarks: https://www.asic.gov.au/for-business-and-companies/business-names/register-a-business-name/business-names-vs-trade-marks/
Guardian Australia: Launch of .au domains will allow Australians to drop ‘.com’ from web addresses (Anthony Mayer interview): https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/mar/21/launch-of-au-domains-will-allow-australians-to-drop-com-from-web-addresses
Business.gov.au Registration Guide: https://business.gov.au/registrations/register-your-business-name
Email Hacking: is your business protected? https://www.onlineiseasy.com.au/news/business-email-compromise
The 5 Steps to Digital Strategy Success: https://www.onlineiseasy.com.au/news/5-steps
Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links above are affiliate links. This means that if you choose to make a purchase, Online is Easy may earn a commission. This commission comes at no additional cost to you. We only recommend tools, like Squarespace CMS and Google Workspace, because we are Experts in their use and believe they provide genuine value to our Australian clients. See our full statement: onlineiseasy.au/affiliate
Anthony Mayer, Digital Strategy Consultant & Founder, Online is Easy
Anthony Mayer established Online is Easy in 2014 to serve as an expert mentor and guide for Australian small businesses, community groups, and NFPs. Based in Gippsland, Victoria, he specialises in bringing human capability and emerging technology together through a practical, hands-on approach.
As a Google Cloud Partner, Authorised Google Workspace Reseller, and Squarespace Expert, Anthony ensures your business "engine room" is built to industry best-practice standards. He is also an Authorised MembershipWorks Developer and Squarespace Trainer, helping organisations streamline their digital workflows with clarity and good humour.
A pioneer in cloud-based workspaces, Anthony helps clients leverage Google AI tools, including Workspace Studio, Gemini, Opal, and AI Studio to automate, enhance productivity, and scale operations. He combines over a decade of strategic leadership with technical expertise to help you secure your digital foundation and lead with confidence in the AI era.
