A domain name is your website address on the internet and gives you an online identity or brand. It’s a valuable part of your business identity and is an important marketing tool that can help customers find and identify with your business.
A domain usually looks like this:
https://www.customname.com
The components of a URL (website address) are:
- http:// – this is code and means that it is an address on the internet. This is used by various software. For example, your email client will know when you click on a link with http:// to open up your web browser and go to that link.
- https:// – the “s” means it has “SSL” installed. This encrypts the data between the server (website) and the end user’s browser. This is best practice for all websites.
- www – this is used on some domains for technical reasons. Although used widely in the “old days”, most websites do not use www anymore.
- customname – this is your custom name that you choose.
- com – this is the domain (Top Level Domain)
Domains
Domains represent a country, organisation or organisation type. There are many different domains (see this list). Many domains have rules and restrictions and cannot be used while some have very few restrictions.
- .net .com .org are the easiest to register
- .com.au are for Australian brands and organisations. There are more Australian domains available.
- .org.au requires a registered organisation
To buy an Australian Domain (.com.au)you will need your business ABN or ACN to purchase a domain name (although you can register with someone else ABN/ACN)
Australian domains are managed by .auda
More information can be found on the .auda domain page and in this PDF booklet: A business guide to registering a web address
A whole new world of domains
- tlds-from-a-z
- iwantmyname.com/domains
- different pricing structures and rules
- some use custom registrars
Sub Domains
https://www.subdomain.customname.com
You can control this and can have unlimited sub-domains
Search engines
- less of an issue
- DNS based authentication for sub-domains
