The .au direct domain is a short Australian ccTLD ideal for local branding. Avoiding common mistakes during selection, like trademark conflicts, poor spelling, or confusing formats, ensures stronger recognition, compliance, and traffic retention. |
A .au direct domain is a type of Australian domain name that ends simply with .au. It allows businesses and individuals to register shorter, more memorable domain names to build their online presence in Australia.
Choosing a .au direct domain name is an important decision when launching a website, and this is especially true with .au direct domains. These short, sharp Australian domain names offer a great way to strengthen your brand’s online presence. But if you’re not careful during the selection process, your domain name could lead to confusion, missed traffic, and even legal complications.
Let’s walk through 10 common mistakes to avoid while choosing .au domain.
Common Mistakes to Avoid While Choosing .au Domain
The right domain name helps boost your brand presence. So, when you decide to build your website, here are some mistakes to avoid while choosing .au domain name:
Using Numbers in Your Domain
Numbers may seem creative, especially if you’re trying to be clever (e.g., “4you.au” instead of “foryou.au”). But they can easily confuse users.
Should they type the digit or the word? For example, if your domain is bakery4u.au, someone might type bakeryforyou.au instead. If numbers are not a natural part of your brand name or event, it’s best to avoid them.
Using Hyphens in the Name
Hyphens create unnecessary friction. Your customers might forget the hyphen and type a domain name without a hyphen, which could lead them to a different site, or nowhere at all. This affects the credibility of your brand. Unless your brand already uses a hyphen and it’s widely recognised, you should aim for a clean, hyphen-free name.
Accidentally Using Trademarked Terms
Even common words may be legally protected if they’re part of a trademark in your industry. Registering a .au domain that includes a trademark could lead to legal action, even if you weren’t aware it was protected.
Before registering your domain, do a quick trademark check. A few minutes of research can save you from expensive disputes later on.
Also Read: Can Domain Names Be Considered Intellectual Property? |
Choosing Hard-to-Spell Words
If your domain is difficult to spell, your audience may struggle to find you. This is especially important for word-of-mouth referrals or radio/podcast mentions. Test it out, say your domain out loud to a few friends, and ask them to type it in or text it back to you. If they get it wrong, others likely will too.
Using Homophones
Words that sound the same but are spelt differently, like right and write, or brake and break, can create confusion. If someone hears your website name, they may visit the wrong version.
If your brand must use a homophone, consider buying both spellings (if available) and redirecting one to the other. This way, you avoid losing traffic to simple misunderstandings.
Registering an Overly Long Domain Name
A .au direct domain should be short and punchy, between 7-15 characters. Long domains are hard to remember, type, and fit on business cards or in digital signatures.
Worse, long names are harder to read when written without spaces, like thebestneworganicteaandauthenticproducts.au. Keep your domain short, clear, and relevant.
Not Checking Domain History
Domains can be re-registered after they expire. If you’re buying a previously owned domain, it might come with baggage, good or bad. A domain’s history can affect its reputation in search engines. So, make sure to check the history to avoid inheriting a domain with a problematic past.
Ignoring Past Website Content
Along with registration history, it’s wise to check what kind of content a domain has hosted before, especially if it was active. A clean domain name might have once belonged to a controversial blog or might be different from the content you want to publish on it.
Visit web.archive.org and enter the domain to browse its past versions. If anything seems questionable, it’s better to choose another name than risk hurting your reputation.
Choosing a Name Too Similar to a Competitor
You might be tempted to register a domain similar to a competitor’s site by adding a small tweak, like an extra letter, “the,” or a hyphen. But this often backfires. Not only is it confusing to customers, but it may also seem like you’re trying to steal someone else’s traffic. Before you decide on a name, make sure to search it and check if it’s available.
Choose a domain that is original, unique, and clearly associated with your brand. Avoid names that could be mistaken for others, especially well-established websites.
Also Read: The Process of Domain Name Dispute Resolution |
Final Thoughts
A clear and simple domain name helps people find and remember you, builds trust, and ensures you avoid legal or technical issues down the track.
Spend time thinking it through, and choose a domain that reflects your brand and helps you stand out in your industry.
The experts at Crazy Domains offer personalised services to help you choose the right domain name. With 24/7 support, you get a seamless experience when choosing a domain name and creating a website.
Also, Crazy Domains is running some great offers on the purchase of .au direct domain names. Here are these:
Products | Discounts Offered |
Domains |
|
Domain Bundles | COMAU + AU = $18.88 for 1 year |
Bundle Offers | |
.com.au/.au + Website Builder | 25% OFF the total amount when purchased as a bundle |
.com.au/.au + Titan Email | 25% OFF the total amount when purchased as a bundle |
Check these out now and sign up for Crazy Domains to get your brand online.