Australian Domain Options Set To Expand
While the arrival of .au for Australian domain options is set to be a game changer for ecommerce, what do the changes translate to in its simplest form?
For the unfamiliar, the Domain Name System (DNS) is the phonebook of the internet. In this system’s hierarchy, a top-level domain (TLD) represents the first stop after the root zone, or everything that follows the final dot of a domain name. If we use Google.com as an example, then the phrase ‘Google’ is the domain name or root zone, and the ‘.com’ is the TLD at work.
For more than a decade, ‘.com’ was seen as the only option for businesses that want to be taken seriously on the world wide web. However, experts predict that as the supply of ‘.com’ domains dwindles and some of the newer TLDs start to pick up steam, we will soon see a major shift in the perception of alternative TLDs.
As such, it’s worth paying attention to the latest Australian domain TLD updates that have just been released, and understanding what the changes mean for brands and businesses trying to make their mark in the online space.
Australian Domain Names Are About To Get Shorter
From March 24 2022, Australia now has a newer and shorter domain name for brands, businesses and individuals to opt for with the arrival of ‘.au’. This is in addition to existing Australian domain options such as ‘.com.au’ and ‘.net.au’ - so what’s all the fuss about?
The introduction of this new Australian domain format is the result of significant public consultation conducted between 2015 and 2019, and will bring Australia in line with many other country code Top Level Domains including the United Kingdom (.uk), Canada (.ca), the USA (.us) and New Zealand (.nz).
Anyone with a local connection to Australia, including businesses, associations and individuals, is eligible to register a ‘.au’ direct name through an auDA accredited registrar. While the primary motivation for the new rollout is to provide more options and to maintain an “Australian presence” on the internet, a handful of the other key benefits of the new ‘.au’ domain include -
The deliver of wider choice of available names in the Australian domain space
Allow users to register shorter, more memorable online names with greater availability
Provide names that are easier to type and display, and are ultimately more user friendly
In addition to the above, the intent of the new Australian domain rollout is to ensure the new domain names are only held by local Australians to provide increased transparency online, and are only available to Australian citizens, permanent residents or registered Australian organisations.
However, a risk associated with the new .au domain that should be noted is that there is not a specific allocation criteria. What this means is that a business can choose any name they desire, provided that it is available and not on the reserved list. For this reason, the ACSC have highlighted the risk of cybercriminals impersonating a business via the new .au domain.
In addition, there is also a priority process in place for businesses to register their equivalent domain name which will last for six months, or until 20 September 2022. Until such date, businesses can apply for Priority Status to register the exact match of their existing domain name to ensure fair access, and to avoid any issues linked to intellectual property, copyright or trademark infringements.
If you’re looking to list your company or business under the new ‘.au’ domain options but are unsure where to start, it’s always a good idea to speak to the professionals prior to navigating the registration process - but where do you find them?
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