Domain name FAQ
What’s the best domain name for me?
If your business is located in Australia and you mostly deal with local customers, a .com.au or .net.au domain is the best option as this identifies your location in the global network. If you are registering an organisation or club, then a .org.au is the most economical choice and a .org.au identifies you as an organisation rather than a business.
What do I need to do to register a domain name?
You will first need to come up with a domain name that hasn’t already been registerd and one that suits your business or organisation. Choose your domain name carefully because there are no refunds! The Australian Domain Name Administrator (auDA) administers all Australian domain names and once you have registered a domain name it’s yours for the duration of the registration period. Double check the spelling of your new domain name when you are placing your domain name order… you cannot make corrections later on!
Do I have to have a website once I register a domain name?
No…you do not need a web site if you register a domain name. Some organisations register a domain name just to prevent others from using it. You can also register a domain name just for the purpose of having a unique email address. For web sites and email you will need a web hosting provider to allow setting up both or either of these services for you. In some cases, if you are planning a website, it is a good idea to get in early and register your domain name. This can save disappointment later on when your website is ready to launch.
How do I choose the best domain name for my business?
Write down a few domain names that match your business or organisation name or a name that matches the main activity your organisation carries out. Look at them carefully and check that they don’t contain hidden negative words.You can use abreviations or acronyms too!
You can have a domain name containing letters (a-z) and numbers and a hyphen (-), such as my-website.com.au or 123sales.com.au. The domain name for Radio Station C91.3, www.c913.com.au is okay. You can not include special characters such as #, &, %, +, in a domain name.
Remember, you will be using your domain name in your email address as well as giving people your website address (domain name) over the phone. A long difficult domain can work against you. Can you imagine trying to pass on the email address for a website with a domain something like this one? www.thebestsalesteaminaustralia.com.au – james.citizen@thebestsalesteaminaustralia.com.au
What information do I need to provide to register a domain name? Do I need an ABN or ACN?
To enable registration of a .com.au (dot com dot au) domain name you will need an ABN (Australian Business Number), or a registered organisation number for .org.au domain names. You will also need to provide a contact address, phone and fax number, an email address and a main contact person’s name.
Make sure that you have long term access to the email address you use, as this email address will be used to send your domain renewal notices and other very important information. Domain renewals are rarely ever sent by post as most domain registration systems are automated as required by the auDA. In short, keep your contact and billing details up to date!
Can I transfer my domain name to someone else?
Your domain name becomes part of your intellectual property, however, you can transfer your domain name to a new owner by filing a domain transfer through your domain reseller or the auDA. There are fees associated with transferring a domain name to a new owner so it’s best to check when you are applying for a transfer.
What happens if my domain name registration expires?
IMPORTANT! If YOU ignore or don’t receive your domain name renewal notices and pay your invoice on time, your domain name will expire. This is an automated process and a requirement for domain registrars set in place by the auDA, NOT the company you register your domain name through. When your domain name expires your website and domain email addresses will cease to work. You may still have access to FTP and your website management tools but people wanting to send you an email or access your website will be presented with error messages.
Generally once your domain name has expired you have a 30 day grace period in which you may still have the option to pay for the renewal. After the grace period has lapsed your domain name will become available for purchase by another party. If you own a domain name and wish to keep it active you should commit to managing it correctly.
Domain name renewal notices are sent to the contact person on file with the registrar usually at intervals of around 90 days, then another notice at 60 days then 30 days and finally 7 days prior to expiry.
We have had cases where businesses have failed to update their domain name contact details and their domain name has expired without their knowledge, well at least until their email stops working. This has left them without a website and email, services that become critical to the daily functioning of millions of businesses. There is no point in contacting your registrar and complaining if YOU failed to keep your records up to date. Simply pay the renewal, update your contact details and all will be back to normal…
