Domain Name Registration

The first step in building your online presence is with a domain name. This is the web address that becomes the pivotal reference point for your clients to find your business website.

Things to consider when registering a business name:

Does the name clearly indicate the name of your business?
Example: kaptivmedia-webdesign.com.au is more likely to be remembered and found online opposed to kmwd.com.au

Does the name depict any keywords relevant to your business?
Example www.kaptivmedia-townsville.com.au

Does the name indicate the services provided by your business?
Example: www.kaptivating-webdesign.com

Is the name concise?
Remember that your email addresses will use this domain extension so long names may not fit well on business cards and advertising.

Could you have more than one domain pointing back to the one website?
It is recommended that Australian businesses at the very least own the .com.au and .com domain versions of their business names.
Other options include registering domains associated with your key products and services.

Do you require a separate domain for each location of your business?
Example: kaptivmedia-townsville.com.au, kaptivmedia-cairns.com.au etc

Click the following links to check the availability of a domain name, transfer a domain name, or to register domain names.

Domain Name Extensions

.com, .net, .org, .info, and .biz
Names with these extensions may be registered by any organisation or individual anywhere in the world.

.com.au and/or .net.au
To be eligible, registrants must be:

An Australian registered company or;

Trading under a registered business name in any Australian State or Territory or;

An Australian partnership or sole trader or;

A foreign company licensed to trade in Australia or;

An owner of an Australian Registered Trade Mark or;

An applicant for an Australian Registered Trade Mark 1 or;

An association incorporated in any Australian State or Territory or;

An Australian commercial statutory body.

.org.au
To be eligible, registrants must be a charity operating in Australia, as defined in the registrant's constitution or other documents of incorporation.

.asn.au
To be eligible, registrants must be:

An association incorporated in any Australian State or Territory or;

A political party registered with the Australian Electoral Commission or;

A trade union or other organisation registered under the Workplace Relations Act 1996 or;

A sporting or special interest club operating in Australia.

.id.au
To be eligible, registrants must be:

An Australian citizen or;

An Australian resident.

Please note: To register a .au domain, you must provide a valid ABN, and the domain name must reflect your business name or service.