| Setting up a WordPress website with a .com.au domain means registering an Australian-specific domain name, connecting it to a hosting provider, and installing WordPress to build and manage your website. A .com.au domain helps improve local trust, boosts search visibility in Australia, and signals that your business is genuinely Australian. This guide explains the entire process in simple steps, covering domain registration, hosting, theme setup, plugin usage, and content creation. |
Whether you’re starting a small business, launching a personal blog, or setting up an online store, having your own website instantly boosts your professional credibility. It enables potential customers to locate you, discover your offerings, and engage with you 24/7.
You don’t need to be a tech expert to get started. With WordPress, building a beautiful, functional website is easy, even for beginners. And when you combine it with a .com.au domain, your website instantly feels local, trustworthy, and relevant to Australian audiences. It shows you’re a genuine Australian business.
Let’s explore how you can set up your WordPress website with a .com.au domain name.
Why Choose a .com.au Domain?
A domain is your website’s address, like yourbusiness.com.au. It’s what people type to visit your site. If you have an Australian business, choosing a .com.au domain name is preferred:
Here’s why you should go for a .com.au domain name
- It builds trust. 53% of Australians will purchase from a domain name ending in .au as they recognise and trust local domains
- It helps with SEO. Google often favours local domains for country-specific searches
- It shows you’re a local business. This makes it easier to attract Aussie customers
Setting up a WordPress Website with a .com.au Domain: A Step-by-Step Process
Setting up a WordPress website with a .com.au domain is quite simple. You don’t need to be a tech expert.
Here’s how you can do it:
Step 1: Pick and Register Your .com.au Domain
Begin by selecting a domain name. Keep it short, easy to spell, and relevant to your business or idea.
You can register your domain through a domain registrar. Many hosting providers also offer domain registration.
Once you’ve found the name you like and confirmed it’s available, register it!
Step 2: Choose a Web Hosting Provider
Next, you’ll need a host for your website. This is where web hosting comes in. Hosting providers store your website files and make your site accessible online. For beginners, managed WordPress hosting is often the best choice.
Step 3: Connect Your Domain to Hosting
If you bought your domain and hosting from the same provider, WordPress is pre-installed. If not, you need to install it.
Step 4: Set Up WordPress
Next, you’ll need web hosting to make your website live on the internet. WordPress offers two main options: WordPress.com and WordPress.org, and it’s easy to confuse the two.
WordPress.com includes hosting and offers a free plan with a subdomain, such as yourname.wordpress.com. It’s quick to set up and beginner-friendly, but your control and customisation options are limited.
WordPress.org, on the other hand, is open-source software that you host yourself. You’ll need to sign up with a separate hosting provider and purchase a plan. If you want full control, your own .com.au domain, and the best performance, WordPress.org, with a reliable hosting provider, is the smarter long-term choice.
| Also Read: Choosing the Right .com.au Domain Name for Your Business |
Understanding the WordPress Dashboard
You’ll now see the WordPress dashboard. This is where you control your website.
You can:
- Add pages
- Write blog posts
- Change your design
- Install new features
It might look confusing at first, but it gets easier quickly.
Designing Your Website on WordPress
Your website should reflect your brand identity. To build the perfect website, here’s what you should do:
Step 1: Choose a WordPress Theme
Themes control how your site looks. WordPress has over 30000 themes.
To pick one:
- Go to Appearance > Themes in your dashboard
- Click “Add New”
- Browse or search for a theme you like
- Click Preview to see how it looks
- Click Activate to choose
| Pro Tip: Don’t choose a theme just because it looks pretty. Pick one that suits your content and goals. |
Step 2: Customise Your Site
Now that you have a theme, it’s time to make it yours. Make sure your site looks good on both desktop and mobile devices. Keep it clean and easy to read. Use 2–3 fonts and 3–5 brand colours max.
Go to Appearance > Customise. You can update:
- Logo and site title
- Colours and fonts
- Header and footer
- Layout and widgets
- Preview changes live and hit Publish
Step 3: Create Your Pages
Pages are the main sections of your website. Most sites need:
- Home: A welcome and overview
- About Us: Share your story
- Services or Products: What you offer
- Contact: Phone, email, address, form
- Privacy Policy/Terms: Required for compliance
To add a page:
- Go to Pages > Add New
- Give it a title
- Add your content using the block editor
- Click Publish
Use the block editor to add text, images, buttons, and more.
Step 4: Set Your Homepage
WordPress offers two homepage options. The latest post display shows the newest posts and a static homepage that remains the same. However, for a business site, a static homepage is often more effective.
Here’s how to set it:
- Create a page called “Home”
- Create another called “Blog” (leave this empty)
- Go to Settings > Reading
- Set “static page” for your homepage and “Blog” as your posts page
- Save changes
Now, visitors will see your welcome message first, not a list of blog posts.
Step 5: Add Essential Plugins
Plugins add new features to your site. You can install them from your dashboard under Plugins > Add New. Start with just what you need. Too many plugins can slow down your site.
Step 6: Write Your First Blog Post
Blog posts help bring traffic to your site. They showcase your expertise and enhance your visibility on search engines.
To write one:
- Go to Posts > Add New
- Add a title and content
- Use headings to structure it
- Add images and links
- Click Publish
Write naturally and use Australian spelling rules. Include keywords that people search for in your local area. Add your suburb or city if relevant.
Step 7: Launch and Promote
Your site is now ready to be launched.
Before launching:
- Test all links
- Proofread your content
- Check mobile responsiveness
To Wrap Up
Setting up a WordPress website with a .com.au domain doesn’t have to be difficult. With the right tools and steps, you can launch a professional site, even as a beginner. Focus on clarity, speed, and local relevance. Keep your Australian audience in mind, and your site will start delivering value in no time.
Crazy Domains provides dedicated WordPress Hosting services, helping you create and manage your WordPress website. This way, we help you focus on growing your business while we take care of the technical setup, security, and performance. Sign up now!
