A domain name is the unique address used to access a website, such as “example.com” or “business.gov.au.” It provides a human-readable way to locate online resources instead of using numeric IP addresses. For businesses, a domain name is a critical part of branding and establishing an online presence.

While it’s not mandatory, registering a domain name is highly recommended if you plan to establish an online presence through a website or professional email addresses (e.g., info@yourbusiness.com.au). Owning a domain name also prevents competitors from claiming it and provides credibility and trustworthiness to your business.

“yourname.com.au” is the domain name, “yourname” is the domain and “.com.au” is the domain extension.

You can check domain availability using:

• WHOIS lookup tools: These allow you to see if a domain is registered and, if so, its owner and expiry date.
• Registrar platforms: Most registrars have search tools to check availability instantly.
• auDA WHOIS tool: Specifically for .au domains, this tool provides detailed information about existing domain registrations, however this tool does not show expiry dates of registered domain names.

Make sure to search for variations of your desired domain to ensure comprehensive coverage.

When selecting a domain name, keep the following in mind:

• Relevance: Ensure it reflects your business name or key activities.
• Simplicity: Choose a name that’s easy to spell, pronounce, and remember.
• Uniqueness: Avoid names that are too generic or similar to competitors.
• Avoiding Legal Issues: Check that your domain doesn’t infringe on trademarks.
• Future-Proofing: Consider reserving multiple variations (e.g., .com.au, .net.au) to protect your brand.

You can often use your domain name shortly after registration, but there may be delays due to:

• DNS Propagation: It can take up to 48 hours for DNS records to update globally.
• Service Setup: Your hosting provider or email services must be properly configured before use.
• Verification Requirements: Some registrars or domain categories may require additional documentation or manual approval before activation.
• Payment Processing: If payment has not cleared, the domain may remain inactive.

To minimize delays, ensure all setup steps and requirements are completed during registration.

Yes, you can usually check when a domain name expires using a WHOIS lookup tool. At Melbourne IT, we provide an easy-to-use WHOIS service that displays:

• The current registration status of the domain.
• The expiration date of the domain.

For .au domains, this information is publicly available, but privacy restrictions may apply to certain details, and the auDA WHOIS lookup does not show the expiry date of registered domains.

If the domain is registered with Melbourne IT, you can also find the expiration date in your account dashboard. Feel free to contact our support team if you need assistance with a specific domain!

If you fail to renew your domain name:

• Services Stop: Your website and email services linked to the domain will cease functioning.
• Grace Period: Some registrars offer a grace period during which you can renew without losing the domain, but this varies by registrar.
• Domain Becomes Available: Once the grace period ends, the domain may become available for others to register.
• Potential Risks: A competitor could claim your domain, leading to brand confusion or loss of traffic.

Always set up reminders or auto-renewal to ensure you don’t accidentally lose your domain.