Practical Tips for Australian Website Owners
Buying a domain name is one of the first steps to getting a website online—but what happens after that often gets overlooked. Managing your domain properly can save you money, protect your brand, and prevent major headaches down the track.
At Ezyweb Australia, we work with many small businesses and solo operators who have either lost access to their domain, missed renewal notices, or are unsure where to log in. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Let’s discuss some straightforward, practical tips for domain management in Australia, presented in plain English.
1. Know Where Your Domain Lives
It sounds simple, but many people don’t know who their domain registrar is (that’s the company you bought the domain through). It might be Ezyweb, or it could be someone else, such as GoDaddy, NetRegistry, or Crazy Domains.
Tip: Search for your domain on whois.auda.org.au — the official lookup tool for .com.au and other .au domains. It’ll tell you who the registrar is and provide key information, such as expiry dates and contact details.
2. Keep Your Contact Details Updated
Your domain is linked to a contact email. If that email is old, no longer in use, or tied to a former staff member, you could miss essential notices—like renewal warnings or verification requests.
Why it matters: Domains that expire can be snapped up by someone else. Once it’s gone, it’s usually gone for good. And yes, that has happened to more than a few businesses.
3. Enable Auto-Renew (and Check It’s Working)
We recommend setting your domain to auto-renew if your registrar offers it—but don’t rely on it unthinkingly. Verify that your payment details are up to date, and keep an eye on renewal reminders in case anything fails.
Ezyweb clients: We actively monitor domain expiry dates for our managed clients and send alerts well in advance. However, it’s still good practice to keep your details up to date.
4. Use a Trusted Domain Provider
Choosing a local and reliable registrar is crucial. While overseas providers may offer low prices, support can be slow, and configuring DNS settings can be challenging.
When you manage your domain through Ezyweb Australia, you’re working with a real person—someone who knows the local requirements for .au domains and can help if anything goes wrong. That means less time digging through online support forums and more time focused on your business.
5. Secure It with Domain Locking
This is a simple setting that stops your domain from being transferred or changed without your approval. It’s not something most people think about, but it’s a basic security feature that helps protect your website and brand.
Think of it like locking the front door—not always top of mind, but essential.
6. Understand the Connection Between Your Domain, Hosting & Email
Your domain is the address. Hosting is the house. And your email (if it uses your domain) is like the mailbox. They work together, but they’re not the same thing.
- If your website goes offline, it’s probably a hosting issue.
- If your email stops working, it could be due to problems with your DNS or email provider.
- If your domain expires, all services connected to it will be discontinued.
If you’re unsure about where to go, please consult with your provider—or contact us at Ezyweb. Sorting this out now can save a lot of confusion later.
7. Keep a Record of Your Login Details
This one’s old-school but essential. Keep a secure record of your domain registrar login, the email address associated with the account, and the renewal date.
You don’t need to be logging in every week—but knowing where and how to access your domain when needed is key.
Final Word
Domain management in Australia doesn’t have to be technical. It’s about knowing the basics, keeping your info up to date, and working with someone who has your back when things go wrong.
At Ezyweb, we make this part easy. Whether you’re registering a new domain, renewing one you’ve had for years, or want someone to check that everything’s set up correctly—we’re here to help.
