Before you finalise your business name or invest in a logo, there’s one thing you should always check: is the domain name available?

Your domain is your online address, and ideally, it should match your business name.

Choosing the right domain name isn’t always easy. But with a few smart tips and some insider guidance, you can secure a name that’s available, memorable, trustworthy, and SEO-friendly.

 

When searching:

• Start with .com.au if you’re an Australian business. It builds local trust and tells customers (and Google) that you’re based here.
• Secure the .com too if you can. It prevents others from registering it and future-proof’s your brand.
• If you have the budget, consider also locking in related extensions like .au, .online etc

Think of registering multiple extensions as a low-cost insurance policy. It protects your business name and keeps competitors or imitators from getting too close for comfort.

 

Step 3: Register your new Domain Names

Once you’ve chosen a name and checked availability, it’s time to register your domain name, and where you do it matters.

Be careful. Some of the big-name overseas providers make it look cheap upfront, but then hit you with hidden fees, upsells, or complicated renewal processes. You might end up paying extra for things like SSL, privacy protection, email forwarding, or basic support services that should be included or at least transparently priced.

To avoid that frustration, choose a reputable, Australian-owned domain registrar that offers honest pricing and local support.

We recommend VentraIP—a trusted Australian company with no-nonsense pricing, reliable support, and no shady upsells. They make it easy to register your domain and keep full control over it.

Tip: Always register your domain name in your own name with your business name—not your web designer’s. That way, you retain ownership and control.

Bonus Tip. Domain Names are subject to the rules and regulations of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). To register a .com.au, you’ll need a valid ABN, ACN, or registered business name that matches or relates to the domain name. This helps protect Australian businesses and ensures domains aren’t taken by unrelated parties.

It depends!

Most standard .com.au or .com domain names will cost you between $15–$30 per year—a small investment for your business’s online identity.

But pricing can vary depending on:

• Top-Level Domain (TLD): Extensions like .com.au, .net.au, .org.au, and .com are generally affordable and widely used. New or niche TLD’s (like .studio, .tech, or .co) may cost more.
• Premium Domain Names: Short, keyword-rich, or highly brandable domain names (like bestplumber.com) might already be owned and listed for resale at a premium price via a domain broker.
• Domain Parking: Some people register domains with no intention of using them, just to resell later. These parked domains can drive up the price if you’re set on a specific name. As an example, a wise person has registered domain cryptomoney888.com and you can buy it for a mere $8.888 USD.
• Add-ons: Some registrars bundle in or charge extra for things like DNS management, privacy protection, or email hosting. (Tip: use a transparent Australian provider like VentraIP to avoid hidden fees.)

Tip: Once you register a domain, you don’t “own” it forever—you lease it annually. If you forget to renew it, someone else can grab it. So set auto-renew and keep your details up to date!

• Registering only the .com but not the .com.au – or vice versa
• Using numbers or dashes (unless they’re part of your brand)
• Not thinking it through!. Here are some classics
  • https://www.whorepresents.com/.  This is meant to be ‘Who Represents’.  That’s how you read it?
  • http://speedofart.com/ . meant to be ‘Speed of Art’. hmm
• Forgetting to renew it yearly—hello, lost website!