Build and manage your website

Your domain name is part of your URL (unique resource locator). A URL is a website's address on the internet. It makes it possible for customers to get to your website.

A URL is made up of the following parts:

• HTTP or HTTPS: if a website has a security certificate (SSL), the first part of the URL will be HTTPS. If there’s no security certificate, it will be HTTP
• www: shows that this is a website displayed on the World Wide Web
• domain name: the name of your website, for example, mydomainname
• domain name extension: the part of the URL following the domain name, for example, .com or .au.

When building your online presence, it's very important to maintain brand consistency. Your domain name should ideally be identical to, or as close as possible to, your business name.

Referring to your business in the same way online:

• creates a professional online presence
• helps your customers find you online
• helps your business maintain a strong brand image
• prevents confusion between your brand and other brands
• limits development costs for logos, packaging, and printed materials.

Use your business name across all digital platforms, including your:

• website domain name
• social media usernames
• email addresses
• usernames on other online platforms.

Find more information on how to do this below.

Your domain name should be easy to remember and type into a browser.

Don't:

• make it too long (for example, thebestcarsinbrisbane.com.au)
• use hyphens or underscores (for example, the_best-cars-in-brisbane.com.au)
• use unfamiliar acronyms (for example, TBCIB.com.au)
• use zeros or numbers in place of the letters (for example, th3_b3st_c4rs_in_brisb4ne.com.au)
• use incorrect spelling (for example, bstcarsinbrisban)
• use slang or jargon (for example, thebestcarsin_Brissy.com.au), unless this matches your business name.

You can check if your chosen domain name is available:

• on websites that sell domain names
• the auDA's domain search.

To maintain brand consistency, also check if it's available as a username on social media platforms. The fastest way to check domain-name and username availability is to use a name-checker service like Namecheckr.

Once you've selected your domain name, you'll need to choose a suitable domain name extension. A domain name extension is the part of the URL that shows where the domain name is registered.

The most common choice for Australian businesses is .com.au. It:

• shows a business is registered in Australia
• is trusted by the local market.

Note: To use .com.au, you must have a registered Australian business with an Australian Business Number (ABN).

Other standard domain name extension are:

• .com: Short for 'commercial'. Used by American or international businesses. Suitable for international trade, where trust from the local market is not as relevant
• .org: Short for 'organisation'. Not a restricted-use extension, but it's strongly associated with not-for-profit organisations and is recommended for businesses with this structure
• .co: Short for 'company'. Not very commonly used. Not the most recommended choice
• .biz: Short for 'business'. Not very commonly used. Not the most recommended choice
• .net: Short for 'network'. A business extension that is used by some service providers and technology companies. It's generally not the first choice for a standard business format
• .edu: Short for 'education'. A restricted extension, only available to official education institutions
• .gov: Short for 'government'. A restricted extension, only available to official government institutions
• .au: Introduced in 2022 for Australian businesses as an alternative (or additional domain) to .com.au. Read more about .au direct.

There are also other extension options (for example, .tv), but the renewal costs can be much more expensive than the standard ones mentioned above.

Many businesses buy more than one domain name extension for their domain name. If customers enter .com instead of.com.au, for example, it will still take customers to your site. Buying both extensions can also help prevent online confusion about which company is yours. The administrator of Australia's .au top level domain offers a list of accredited providers to buy your domain name from.

Renew your domain

Your domain name will need to be renewed so it doesn't expire. The renewal period is set when you buy the domain name. You can often choose an initial term of 1, 3, 5, or 10 years.

If your domain name expires:

• your website won't work
• customers won't be able to find you
• your business will be vulnerable to cyber crime
• your domain name may be relisted for sale
• you may lose your domain name.

You'll also need to renew your site's secure certificate (SSL) if you have one.

Web hosting companies offer different services to support your online presence, including:

• website space: The files that make up your website are stored on the web hosts server. The allocated space must suit the intended size of your site.
• email accounts: An email is a necessary contact form for your customers to connect with you. An email address using your domain name will give a more professional appearance.
• databases: Depending on your type of website/business, you may need to start and maintain a database of information, for example, stock for an online store, or customer information for user accounts.
• back-ups: You should always have your data and files backed up, so you don't lose essential information if something goes wrong.
• website templates: A premade website design is one way to get a website up and running quickly. There are many options available, and there will likely be one to suit your needs.
• website building tools: Most do-it-yourself website solutions will provide easy and intuitive ways to create and manage your website though premade drag-and-drop components.
• plugins: A plugin is a small program designed to complete a specific purpose. Many services offer plugins to add functionality to your website. For example, an advanced shopping-cart system, or a simple product-rating system.
• security certificates (SSL): Security certificates are a way for customers and website visitors to know your website is safe. A secure site can also rank better in search engine results.
• further help: Access to experienced professionals who can help troubleshoot and solve issues to ensure your website is live and functional with minimal downtime.

When choosing a web service or hosting provider, consider the following questions:

• What customer support is available? Select a provider that offers the level of support you need, depending on your
  • level of technical skill
  • familiarity with website management
  • time available.
• How much storage is included? You'll need to select a package that includes the amount of file storage you think you'll need. You may want to start with a smaller package with an option to upgrade as required. If you're unsure, the provider's support contact can likely help you with this.
• How much bandwidth will you need? It's often better to start with lower bandwidth and upgrade as needed. The amount of bandwidth you need will depend on
  • the type of content you have on your website
  • how many visitors you expect.
• Do you value quality over quantity? Providers offering 'unlimited' storage might offer slower website load speeds. This could have negative effects on your business. Check the details of a provider's offerings before making a decision.
• Do you store and protect customer's personal details and payment information? Understand the security options offered by different providers so you can protect your customers' personal details, payment information and buying history.
• Do you own the domain name? To ensure you own your domain name entirely, consider getting it first, through a different party than your website builder or hosting provider. Research all options and choose one that suits your business needs.
• What is the payment cycle? Can you pay your hosting fees weekly, monthly, or annually? Can you easily cancel and change providers?
• How easy will it be to maintain and update your website? Does the provider offer easy-to-use options like dashboards and control panels?
• Do reviews on the hosting company match your needs? Check online reviews before choosing a provider. Other users' experiences can provide valuable insight into the quality of the service you can expect.
• Which content management systems (CMS) do they offer? A good CMS handles the background infrastructure of your website and makes it easy for you to focus on the front-end (the part your customers will see). Research the CMS online, including looking at reviews, to see if it suits your needs.

These programs enable you to build your site yourself. You can choose from a selection of pre-made website templates and add your own content.

Advantages

• It's simple and easy to use.
• You can easily add images and content into pre-designed spaces.
• Budget-friendly options are available.
• Hosting is often included.
• Search engine optimisation (SEO) may already be built in.
• The platform might offer basic technical support through email and chat.
• It's a fast way to get a site live and online.

Disadvantages:

• There's less opportunity to be creative.
• Templates might only offer limited customisation.
• Other businesses may have a similar website to yours.
• It offers only basic website functionality.
• There's less flexibility to give your customers' a personalised experience.
• It may be difficult to save or download your content if you later decide to use a different way to create a website.

A CMS allows you to build a website without knowing or understanding code. You can select a theme for your website and then add content to it.

Advantages

• It offers more opportunities to be creative and to customise your site than a templated site.
• You can use plugins to add functions like shopping and chat.
• Offers different options to fit your budget.
• Offers a range of design templates to work with.
• It's widely supported by web developers if you need support.
• You can manage it yourself and have full control.
• It can be cost effective over the long term.
• It is suitable for larger sites and can be readily expanded.

Disadvantages

• The level of customer support you'll get depends on the hosting partner.
• It requires more technical skills than a template-based site.
• It can feel overwhelming and be time-consuming to build if you have little technical skill.

This option uses the services of a professional to build your website for you.

Advantages

• You don't need any technical skills.
• You have full customer support until the website is launched.
• The website can be customised to meet your needs.
• You have the benefit of professional design ideas and experience.
• Over time, your website can become bigger and more complex website without constraints.

Disadvantages

• It can be expensive.
• It's dependent on the web developer's schedule.
• It's not easy to assess a developer's actual skillset before hiring one.
• Redesign edits back and forth can be time consuming.
• There's often a charge to have edits made after the website has gone live.
• You'll have less control to make changes and will have to pay for ongoing maintenance.