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Written by: Hayden Morris
Managing Director at Digital Nomads HQ
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Choosing the Right Domain: .com vs. .com.au for Your Australian Business
When setting up your online presence, one of the first choices you’re going to have to make is your domain name.
This is the domain extension or “the letters after the dot” (.com.au, .au or .com etc.)
This choose can significantly influence how your website is perceived by Google.. and users and in a lot of cases how it will rank in SERPs.
For Australian businesses, the choice often comes down to two primary options
Either .com
or .com.au.
Understanding the Options
.com: The original top-level domain (TLD), “.com” stands for “commercial.” It’s a global extension, conveying a sense of international reach and presence.
.com.au: This country code top-level domain (ccTLD) clearly identifies your business as Australian.
It signals to users and search engines that you cater primarily to an Australian audience.
So, the question... Where are your customers based?
If you are an Australian business with a focus solely on the Australian market, then the .com.au (or new .au) domain is your choice.
Doing this will clearly identify Google your target location… ultimately increasing the possibility of your website showing up in Australian searches.
In contrast to this; When do you choose a .com?
Whether you’re an Australian business looking to promote globally or an international company by default.. this is when you would consider the .com domain.
Showing Google that you don’t just service the Australian market, but have a global audience that you are looking to engage with through SERPs.
Due to the increased trust and familiarity associated with local domains, visitors from the same country as your ccTLD are more likely to convert into customers.
Source: DOMGATE
So, Does your domain name really matter?
100% Yes!
Search engines like Google and Bing prioritise local results for relevant searches.
A .com.au can give you preferential treatment in Australian search results, potentially boosting traffic.
Branding and Memorability
Cost and Regulations
While .com domains may sometimes be slightly cheaper, the difference is generally very small.
However, .com.au has eligibility requirements, typically needing an Australian Business Number (ABN) or connection to an Australian registered trademark.
Should you buy both .com & .com.au?
A lot of businesses do this!
Australian businesses register BOTH their .com and .com.au domains.
This strategy helps protect your brand identity from competitors and allows you to redirect traffic between the sites as needed, along with providing the option for future international growth.
Can you change from a .com to a .com.au later?
Yes, transitioning from a .com to a .com.au domain is possible, but it requires careful planning and execution to minimise disruption to your website’s traffic and search engine ranking (SEO). Some of the key parts to the process:
- Securing both domains – Ensure you have purchased the new .com.au domain to transfer to.
- 301 Redirects – Set up 301 redirects on your .com website to send users to the corresponding pages on your new .com.au site.
- Update Citations and listings – Update your domain name in all your online listings, social media profiles, and marketing materials to reflect the new address.
- Communicate the change – Let your website visitors know about the upcoming transition through website announcements or emails.
".com.au is far more effective for local Australian businesses."
Having worked with both .com vs .com.au domains, our agency sees far greater organic growth for local Australian businesses using the .com.au ccTLD vs companies trying to utilise the .com domain.
Benjamin Paine, Managing Director at Digital Nomads HQ
The Future: .au domains
Australia recently introduced direct .au domains (e.g., yourbusiness.au).
These offer a shorter, cleaner option, particularly if your ideal .com.au is taken. Keep an eye on this space as they become more popular.
What should you choose between .au vs .com.au?
Simple answer… Either… or even better Both!
As both of these domains are ccTLD and associated with Australia, they will perform the same way and give the same credibility to your users.
If both .au and .com.au are available, I recommend obtaining both domains so competitors don’t pick them up and use them against you… consider it a precautionary measure.
Looking for support with your SEO?
Don’t know which domain to choose? And require support in your domain purchasing or domain migration… Our team of SEO specialists can help.
In Conclusion
Your domain extension is a significant decision for your online presence. Carefully weigh the pros and cons of .com and .com.au to make the choice that best supports your business goals and aligns with your target audience.
Looking for some more insight?
Watch our recent video on “Choosing .com or .com.au” below;
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