What Are The New Australian .au domains6 min read

If you want to make a splash in the Australian market, you need to get familiar with .au domains. 

Whether you’re looking to establish your online presence within the country to build your brand, or you simply want to shorten your domain name to keep up with the latest eCommerce Aussie trends – switching to a .au direct domain can only further your business’s success.

Want to hear more about the new Australian domains and how they can benefit your Aussie-based business? Then read on.

What Is a .au Domain?

In short, domain names are the unique names that identify websites on the internet. It’s the part of the website’s URL that comes after ‘www.’ and before the top-level domain extension, such as ‘.com,’ ‘.org,’ or ‘net.’

For those of you down under, the .au domain in Australia is the country’s code top-level domain, divided into several subdomains. The most common Australian domains include:

• .com.au for commercial companies
• .org.au for non-profit organizations and charities
• .net.au for internet service providers
• .edu.au for educational institutions
• .gov.au for governmental agencies
• .asn.au for political parties and trade unions
• .id.au for personal websites

Each of these .au domain names has its own eligibility criteria and registration requirements, and they are all managed by the Australian Domain Name Administrator (auDA). 

So if you’re interested in registering your business with the new Australian domain, you’ll need to choose a domain name most appropriate for your organization or business type. 

Why You Should Consider Securing a .au Domain

There are many benefits to securing your business online with .au domains. Some of the most compelling include:

Improved Search Engine Rankings

Switching to the new Aussie domain can drastically improve your search engine rankings since search engines like Google use domain names as a factor in their ranking algorithms. 

For example, when a search engine detects that a website has a country-specific domain name, such as a .au domain, it assumes that the website is targeting users in that country. It then gives it a higher ranking in search results for users based within that country. 

So if you’re still using a ‘.com’ domain as an Australian business, you could be missing out on a lot of traffic compared to companies that made the ‘.au’ switch!

Better Brand Recognition

Moreover, your business will have better brand recognition. Unique and memorable .au domains can help establish your brand identity as an Australian business and make it easier for customers to find and remember your website. 

This, in turn, helps to create a sense of trust and credibility with Australian citizens, as it shows that you are a legitimate business based in Australia. 

Protection of Intellectual Property

Getting behind the signature .au domain helps protect your intellectual property by making it more difficult for others to use your brand name or trademark within Australia. 

To be more specific, when you register a domain name with a domain registrar, you gain exclusive rights to use that domain name for your website and online activities. This means that other businesses aren’t allowed to use your domain name or a similar name that might cause confusion with your trademark or brand. 

For example, say you have a specific brand name that you want to protect in Australia. Registering with .au domains can help you secure your online presence and prevent others from using your brand name or trademark in their domain names. 

If you want to maintain the integrity of your brand and establish your Australian presence – register your business with this Aussie domain as quickly as you can!

How to Secure Your .au Domains

If you’re convinced by the benefits above, the next step is to secure your business online with a .au domain. To do so, you’ll need to follow the below steps:

1. Choose a domain name: Choose a unique domain name that reflects your business. 
2. Check availability: You can search for available domain names using a domain registrar. If the domain name you want is already taken, you may need to choose a different name or try a different top-level domain extension.
3. Register your domain name: Once you’ve found an available .au domain name that you want to use, register it with a domain registrar. You’ll need to create an account and provide contact and billing information.
4. Verify your registration: After registering your domain name, you may need to verify your registration by responding to an email or phone call from the domain registrar. 
5. Set up your website: Once verified, you can set up your website by choosing a host website provider. 

By following the above steps, you can safely secure your business with the new .au domain and establish your business within Australia.

Priority Allocation Process

The priority allocation process was held for eligible individuals that held an existing domain with an Australian domain extension, allowing them to register the equivalent .au domain  name before it was made available to the general public. 

Priority applications for .au domains were made during the priority allocation period (March 24 to September 20th, 2022). However, it’s important to note that registering within this period was not a requirement to secure the new Aussie domain. 

Anyone can register now, so long as that domain name is still available. So, if you’re looking to establish your Aussie brand online and wondering if you’re still eligible – yes, you are. 

Things to Keep In Mind With .au domains

With any new online business practice, there are always things to be aware of before jumping in head-first. Here are some essential factors to keep in mind before securing your domain name:

• Availability: As discussed, all Australian domain names are subject to availability. You’ll need to double-check all existing domain names before registering.
• Renewal: Australian businesses must renew their domain names on a regular basis, usually every 2 years. 
• Cost: The cost of registering an Australian domain name web address can vary depending on the registrar you choose and the length of the registration period. Be sure to shop around and compare prices.
• SEO: It’s important to note that simply switching to .au domains does not guarantee improved search ranking. You’ll also need to implement good SEO practices to attract more traffic to your site. 

Secure Your Aussie Domain Name

To conclude, registering with the new .au domains is a smart move to make if you’re a business operating in Australia.

Not only will you improve your search rankings, but you’ll also put yourself at a huge advantage against other competing businesses in your industry. 

So, why wait? Don’t miss out on this valuable opportunity and secure your au domain today!