What are the different domain name types?

Every computer on the Internet has its own unique name. This is called a domain name. In addition to the domain name, each system has an extension that usually describes the general function of the holder of a domain name.

As a guide they generally follow these principles.
.com = commercial
.net = technology company (although this is changing as less .coms become available).
.org = non profit organisation or association.

For computers to talk to one another on the Internet, a valid domain name is required to make the connection. Geographic domain names end with a two character country code. For example: travel.com.au (where the .au portion signifies Australia).

• ANYNAME.COM
  This is an International commercial domain. It typically represents a company seeking a global identity. . com domains are the most popular domain type in the world. Interestingly all possible 4-character combinations in .com are registered already. No rules and restrictions apply.
  
• BUSINESSNAME.COM.AU
  Popular amongst Australian commercial entities. Excellent if you wish to reach an Australian market. Rules and Restrictions apply. Read more.
  
• ANYNAME.CO.UK
  The domain space for England. Popular for organisations targetting the English marketing or wishing to protect the UK equivalent of their domain name.No rules or restrictions apply.
  
• ANYNAME.CO.NZ
  The domain space for New Zealand. Popular domain name for organistaions wishing to protect the New Zealand equivalent of their domain. No rules or restrictions apply.
  
• BUSINESSNAME.NET.AU
  This is a popular Australian domain which typically represents a business wishing to reach the Australian market. Rules and Restrictions apply. Read more.
  
• ANYNAME.NET
  International commercial domain typically represents a company seeking a global identity. No rules and restrictions apply.
  
• ORGANISATIONNAME.ORG.AU
  Australian domain typically represents an Australian not-for-profit organisation. Evidence must be supplied with your application. Rules and restrictions apply. Read more.
  
• ORGANISATIONNAME.ORG
  Popular international domain typically represents an International organisation or commercial entity. No rules and restrictions apply.

Your domain name should be as close as possible to your registered business name or descriptive of the field or industry in which you operate in so that your customers can find you quickly.

Here are some domain names you might be already familiar with:

You can register the domain names most important to your business now, before anyone else. Later, you can ask us to activate them, if you want to use it for your web site, email or e-commerce.
Note that for a com.au or net.au domain name you must have an ACN (Australian Company Number) or a registered business name to proceed.

If you have ever thought that there may be a possibility of your business having a web site now or at anytime in the future you need to register now to secure your online address. A small investment for future protection.

Further information:

What type of a domain name should I register?

This depends solely on who or geographically which market you are trying to reach with your web site. You need to ask yourself whether your ultimate goal is to reach customers throughout the world (globally) or do you wish to reach people within Australia or within a specific country?

If you wish to reach a global audience we recommend a Top Level Generic Domain name such as a .com, .net or a .org. These are the 'original' domains and the most popular. Therefore you may find that a high percentage of names are already taken.

If you wish to reach an Australian audience we recommend a .com.au, .net.au or an org.au(non profit) domain name. Note that some rules do apply and these Australian domain names must be derived from a business or company and may not be generic.

If you wish to reach customers within a specific country then we recommend a country specific domain name such as a co.nz (New Zealand) or a co.uk (United Kingdom). If you would like more information on different international domain names please click here.