Compare Australian Domain Name Costs and Registrars 2023
Our guide explains how to register your .com,au, .com (or any other domain) with the best registrar, pick the right domain name and avoid problems in advance.
We compare Google Domains, GoDaddy, CrazyDomains, MelbourneIT, VentraIP, WebCentral and Vodien
Updated 20 February 2023
Domain registration is a simple process but not something you do every day, and for this reason, there are some essential facts to understand upfront.
Our guide overviews everything you need to know about buying a domain name for your business. We compare the pricing, add-ons, must-know tips and explain business email services. We compare the pricing and service of 7+ trusted domain registrars offering .com.au and .com domains to Australian businesses.
We cover:
Domain registration is a simple process but not something you do every day, and for this reason, there are some essential facts to understand upfront.
Our guide overviews everything you need to know about buying a domain name for your business. We compare the pricing, add-ons, must-know tips and explain business email services. We compare the pricing and service of 7+ trusted domain registrars offering .com.au and .com domains to Australian businesses.
We cover:
How do I Register a Domain Name, and How Much will it Cost?
- First, you'll need to make sure your domain name is available – any domain registrar will show check this first using any domain registrar (you can enter your preferred domain on the homepage and check).
- If the domain is free, you can then register it. The cost per year will be displayed, and you may get a sign-up discount. You can expect to pay around $20 to $50 + GST per year. Many domain registrars offer a bunch of optional add-ons for an additional cost; we don't believe most of them are necessary if you're just looking to secure a domain name.
- You'll need your ABN or other business ID. Australian law requires you to enter your legal entity (for example, company or sole trader name), your business identification type (i.e. ABN, ACN etc.), and the identification number (for example, your ABN).
- Don't forget to renew: Domain registrars accept credit cards and debit cards, as well as PayPal. When you register the domain for the first time, you'll have the option to save these details for renewal purposes. Many domains accidentally expire every year, which causes business disruption, and all can be avoided by noting your domain expiry date.
Three Must-Know Domain Name Tips
1. Keep your domain name simple
No one likes a complicated domain – you need something that people can remember and easy type in. So don't make this hard for people to do. For example, if your business name is Smith & Sons Building Pty Ltd, don't create a domain such as SSBPL.com.au, but instead, look at something like smithsonsbuilding.com.au or smithandsons.com.au.
We suggest avoiding using numbers or hyphens – having either is annoying to type in and can cause errors. They're also increasingly less common - all of the websites of well-known brands and companies don't use them, and we don't think you should do either.
2. Pick a .com.au where possible (for an Australia-focused business)
We have seen many clients go for extensions such as .biz or .marketing, but we don't like them and suggest you consider giving them a wide berth. Instead, a .com.au or a .net.au (just as we have because .com.au was unavailable) are popular starting points.
People ask us about ".com" a lot - we don't think it's suitable for Australia unless you're marketing to an international crowd. However, for everyday use, a .com.au will identify with Australians who see a local domain and give it trust and a higher chance for a click. Please be aware that Google confirms that .com.au is a "popular ending" per its domain registration service.
When it comes to Google ranking, evidence that we have seen over the suggest people click on domains they trust. If your domain and website description is a local business that, at first glance, meets the user's needs, they will click. The right domain extension such as .com.au will certainly help you get as many clicks as possible.
3. Make sure you own your domain name
In our 10+ years of web design experience, we've heard from hundreds of potential clients who have 'lost' their domain name when their web developer shuts down or goes bust. While we register domains and hold them on trust for our clients (and renew them as required), we always recommend clients register their domain and hold them in their accounts. This way, you have 100% protection over your most important website asset. It takes a couple of minutes to register a domain and a second to renew it later.
No one likes a complicated domain – you need something that people can remember and easy type in. So don't make this hard for people to do. For example, if your business name is Smith & Sons Building Pty Ltd, don't create a domain such as SSBPL.com.au, but instead, look at something like smithsonsbuilding.com.au or smithandsons.com.au.
We suggest avoiding using numbers or hyphens – having either is annoying to type in and can cause errors. They're also increasingly less common - all of the websites of well-known brands and companies don't use them, and we don't think you should do either.
2. Pick a .com.au where possible (for an Australia-focused business)
We have seen many clients go for extensions such as .biz or .marketing, but we don't like them and suggest you consider giving them a wide berth. Instead, a .com.au or a .net.au (just as we have because .com.au was unavailable) are popular starting points.
People ask us about ".com" a lot - we don't think it's suitable for Australia unless you're marketing to an international crowd. However, for everyday use, a .com.au will identify with Australians who see a local domain and give it trust and a higher chance for a click. Please be aware that Google confirms that .com.au is a "popular ending" per its domain registration service.
When it comes to Google ranking, evidence that we have seen over the suggest people click on domains they trust. If your domain and website description is a local business that, at first glance, meets the user's needs, they will click. The right domain extension such as .com.au will certainly help you get as many clicks as possible.
3. Make sure you own your domain name
In our 10+ years of web design experience, we've heard from hundreds of potential clients who have 'lost' their domain name when their web developer shuts down or goes bust. While we register domains and hold them on trust for our clients (and renew them as required), we always recommend clients register their domain and hold them in their accounts. This way, you have 100% protection over your most important website asset. It takes a couple of minutes to register a domain and a second to renew it later.
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Best Domain Registration and Renewal Companies - .com.au and .com Comparison
Our list below includes the most popular and trusted registrars offering .com.au and .com domains.
Our two favourite domain registrars
Our list below includes seven of the most popular and trusted registrars offering .com.au and .com domains. Our view is that the following two registrars offer the best value, service and ease of use (i.e. technical features).
Our two favourite domain registrars
Our list below includes seven of the most popular and trusted registrars offering .com.au and .com domains. Our view is that the following two registrars offer the best value, service and ease of use (i.e. technical features).
- GoDaddy - the international domains giant with 24/7 support and many features serving thousands of Australian businesses 24/7. Support is American-based, but GoDaddy "gets" Australia and offers many features and a simple-to-use dashboard for every domain name owner.
- Google Domains - .com.au and .com domains are competitively priced with instant integration into Google Workspace email (optional), backed by Google's 24/7 support team.
Domain Name Registrar |
.com.au Registration and Annual Renewal Cost |
.com Registration and Annual Renewal Cost |
Free DNS Service? |
Email and Web Hosting Offered? |
$18 |
$18 |
Yes |
Yes |
|
$9.96 (year 1, $34.96 for renewal) |
$3.99(year 1, $34.96 for renewal |
Yes |
Yes |
|
$20 |
$19 |
Limited (no TXT records without paying) |
Yes |
|
$77.99 |
$79 |
Yes |
||
$19.95 |
$21.95 |
Yes |
||
$23.99 |
$26.45 |
Yes |
||
$26 |
$20 |
Yes |
Australian Domain Names - Frequently Asked Questions
If you still have questions, our list below pre-empts common queries we hear from our clients:
Can I change the domain name of my website later on?
Yes, but you'll need to buy another domain and publish your website using that domain. You can then let your existing domain expire or re-direct it to your new domain to avoid losing customers.
How long do you own a domain name for?
This depends on what you buy, but the usual registration period is one year. However, we suggest being cautious around signing up for more than two years unless you're sure your domain will be needed - many domains aren't renewed, and a change in business approach can make a domain surplus to requirements.
How do I renew a domain name?
The process is usually automated - the email you use to register the domain will be sent a domain renewal notice just before it's due. To renew, you'll need to pay the fee before the expiry date to ensure your domain, website, and email service stays live.
How do I host a domain name and build a website?
There are two options - you can either connect your domain to a website building service such as Weebly, Wix or Squarespace. Such services let you create a website and publish it directly onto your domain. The other option is to purchase hosting from a hosting company and upload website files. Both options have monthly or annual charges.
Can I get a domain for free?
Yes, but it's not that common in Australia, and if you get a free domain with a website hosting service, it will usually be a .com or .net and won't be a .com.au, which means it's not helpful for most Australian businesses).
Do I need to buy my domain from Shopify if use their services?
No - and Shopify doesn't offer .com.au domains, so please be aware of that limitation. Shopify can register .com, .net, .org and .co domains.
When I register a domain with GoDaddy, I see many add-ons. Do I need them?
GoDaddy has three common add-ons:
1. Domain Ownership Protection
2. Create an email address that matches your domain.
3. Premium DNS
1. Domain Ownership Protection
- What is it? GoDaddy says this service is "highly recommended". However, domain hijacking, which the service claims to prevent, is uncommon among small business websites in Australia.
- How much is it? Godaddy offers this for $13 - $18 per year per domain.
- Is it worth getting? We don't think so. While your domain will be kept if your credit card expires, renewing your domain every year has the same effect. For most small businesses we work with, such a service is an add-on that is arguably unnecessary.
2. Create an email address that matches your domain.
- What is it? A service that creates an email address for your domain, for example, yourname@yourbusinessname.com.au. You can then store at least 10 GB and connect the email to your phone and computer.
- How much is it? The service starts from around $4 to $10/month per email address.
- Is it worth getting? It depends on what you want to do. GoDaddy is cheaper than Google Workspace's popular email service but may not be as flexible for your needs.
3. Premium DNS
- What is it? A service offering extra DNS features, such as 100% uptime with a 99.999% uptime guarantee, DNS templates and error-checking. The service is a step above the standard DNS service GoDaddy offers with any domain purchase.
- How much is it? The service starts from around $4 to $10/month per account (you can use one Premium DNS subscription for more than one domain).
- Is it worth getting? We believe that most small and medium-sized Australian businesses won't see the value in the additional specialist features. Standard DNS allows you to run domain e-mail and host your website, which is arguably all that's needed in most cases.
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Our two favourite domain registrars
Our list below includes seven of the most popular and trusted registrars offering .com.au and .com domains. Our view is that the following two registrars offer the best value, service and ease of use (i.e. technical features).
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