If you’re starting a new business or launching a website, one of the first decisions you’ll face is choosing a domain name. And that often comes with a simple but surprisingly important question: should I go with a .com.au or just a .com?
At Ezyweb Australia, we’ve helped countless local businesses navigate this exact decision. The answer depends on your goals, your audience, and how you want to be perceived online. So let’s break it down.
What’s the actual difference between .com and .com.au?
At face value, the only difference is the extra “.au” at the end. But in practice, it’s a bit more than that.
- .com is a generic top-level domain (TLD) meant initially for “commercial” use but now used globally by anyone for almost any purpose.
- .com.au is a country code TLD, specifically for businesses operating in Australia. You can’t register one unless you have an ABN, ACN, or registered trademark in Australia.
In other words, .com.au proves you’re a real Australian business.
Why .com.au matters for local SEO
If your customers are in Australia—and mainly if you operate locally—.com.au gives you a clear edge in Google’s local search results.
Search engines like Google take your domain extension into account when showing results. So if someone in Newcastle searches for “plumber near me,” a .com.au site is more likely to show up ahead of a generic .com version, assuming everything else is equal.
For local businesses, that visibility can make a big difference.
Trust and credibility
Australians are used to seeing .com.au websites when dealing with local businesses. It gives a sense of familiarity and trust. Most people (whether they realise it or not) associate .com.au with being local, legitimate, and trustworthy.
With .com, you may still get the job done, but you might also raise questions like:
- Is this business based overseas?
- Will shipping or support be local?
- Can I trust them with my payment info?
It’s not that .com is untrustworthy—it’s just less anchored in place. If you’re building a long-term business in Australia, .com.au signals you’re part of the community.
What if I want to go global?
This is the one situation where .com might make more sense. If your primary audience is international—say you’re running a software company, a blog, or an ecommerce store targeting multiple countries—then .com could be the better fit.
That said, many global businesses still register both. They might run their leading site on .com but still grab .com.au to protect their brand and offer a local experience to Australian customers.
Can I use both?
Absolutely. We recommend it.
If your brand name is available, it’s a smart move to register both the .com and .com.au versions. You can point one to the other or use them for different purposes (e.g., global vs local content). It’s about giving yourself flexibility—and avoiding brand confusion down the line.
What’s best for your business?
Let’s keep it simple:
- You’re a local Aussie business serving Australian customers?
- Go with .com.au. It supports your SEO, builds trust, and clearly says “we’re local.”
- You’re targeting international markets or building a global brand?
- Consider .com, or use both if you want to keep your local roots as well.
Need help choosing or setting up your domain?
At Ezyweb Australia, we don’t just sell domain names—we help businesses make informed, long-term decisions about how to present themselves online. Whether you’re registering your first site or switching from one domain to another, we’ll guide you through it with practical, honest advice.
No jargon. No confusion. Just a clear path forward.
Ready to register your .com.au or talk about your SEO strategy?
Contact us at Ezyweb Australia, and we’ll help you get set up with a domain and website that works for your business.
