In today's digital age, choosing the right domain name for your business is one of the most critical decisions you can make. A domain name is not just a web address—it's the first impression potential customers get of your brand, the cornerstone of your online presence, and a vital element of your marketing strategy. Yet, despite its importance, many Australian businesses fall into common traps when selecting their domain names, leading to costly mistakes that can hinder growth and visibility.
At Brandzilla, Australia's premier domain name aftermarket, we understand businesses' challenges when choosing the perfect domain. That's why we've curated our selection of domains to ensure that you avoid these pitfalls. In this article, we'll explore some of the most common domain name mistakes made by Australian businesses and how you can prevent them with the help of Brandzilla.
1. Using Numbers and Hyphens
One common mistake businesses must correct is incorporating numbers and hyphens into their domain names. While these characters are allowed, they often create confusion and reduce memorability. For example, if your domain name is Best-Deals4U.com.au, users might need help remembering whether to use digits or spell out the numbers, or they might forget to include the hyphen altogether. This confusion can lead to lost traffic and missed opportunities.
Brandzilla's Solution: Brandzilla avoids using such characters unless they serve a clear purpose and are exceptionally memorable, like "888." Our focus is on curating simple, clean, and memorable domain names that effectively connect with your target audience.
2. Choosing Overly Long or Complex Names
Many Australian entrepreneurs mistakenly believe a longer, more descriptive domain name will help with search engine optimisation (SEO) or better describe their business. However, excessively long or complex domain names are difficult for customers to remember and prone to typos. For instance, a domain like SydneyCityCentrePlumbingAndElectrical.com.au is difficult to remember and prone to typing errors.
Brandzilla's Solution: Our selection process prioritises concise and impactful domain names that strike the right balance between descriptive and memorable. We focus on names that are around 15 characters or less, making them easier for customers to recall and type correctly.
3. Neglecting to Check Availability Across Platforms
It's a common oversight for businesses to secure a domain name without verifying its availability across other platforms, such as social media. This can lead to branding inconsistencies, making it harder for customers to find and engage with your business online. For example, you might secure GreatCakes.com.au, only to discover that the same handle is already taken on every social media platform, forcing you to use different names and diluting your brand's presence.
Brandzilla's Solution: We are here to help guide you through the process to ensure your chosen domain is available across major platforms, allowing you to maintain consistent branding and a unified online presence.
4. Ignoring Trademark Issues
Trademark infringement is one of the most significant risks when selecting a domain name. Using a trademarked term in your domain can lead to legal disputes, penalties, and even losing your domain name. In Australia, failing to conduct a thorough trademark search before registering a domain can result in costly legal battles.
Brandzilla's Solution: At Brandzilla, we take trademark issues seriously. While we are not legal experts, we carefully curate our domains to minimise the risk of trademark conflicts and can offer guidance to help you navigate potential trademark issues, ensuring you can confidently build your brand.
5. Overlooking SEO Considerations
While a domain name alone won't make or break your SEO strategy, it can impact your search engine rankings. Australian businesses often need to pay more attention to including relevant keywords in their domain names or choosing domains that align with their target market's search behaviour. Additionally, selecting the right domain extension, such as .com.au or .au, can influence local search visibility, with .com.au far being the leader in this regard.
Brandzilla's Solution: We ensure that our domain offerings are optimised for branding and SEO. Our curated selection includes domain names that align with popular search terms and keywords, helping you improve your online visibility in the Australian market.
6. Failing to Protect Your Brand Across Extensions
Another common mistake is registering only one domain extension, such as .com.au, without securing other relevant extensions like .au. This leaves your brand vulnerable to competitors or cyber-squatters who might register similar domains, potentially diverting traffic away from your site.
Brandzilla's Solution: We offer bundled domain options, where possible, including both .com.au and .au extensions, to ensure your brand is protected. Securing these extensions together can prevent others from capitalising on your brand's success.
7. Not Setting Up Auto-Renewal
Forgetting to renew your domain can have disastrous consequences. If your domain expires, it could be snapped up by someone else, resulting in downtime or a complete loss of your online presence. Unfortunately, many businesses neglect this crucial step, leading to unnecessary risks.
Brandzilla's Solution: We recommend setting up auto-renewal for your domain to ensure continuous ownership and avoid potential downtime.
8. Overcomplicating Your Domain with Keywords
While stuffing your domain name with keywords to boost SEO is tempting, this approach can backfire. Overloading your domain with keywords can make it appear spammy and reduce its appeal. For example, a domain like BuyCheapLaptopsSydney.com.au may seem optimised but lacks professionalism and memorability.
Brandzilla's Solution: We help you strike the right balance between keyword relevance and brand appeal. Our domains are carefully chosen to be SEO-friendly and brand-appropriate, ensuring they resonate with your audience without appearing cluttered or spammy.
9. Not Testing Your Domain Name with Your Target Audience
One often overlooked step in the domain selection process is testing your domain name with your target audience. What may seem like a clever or catchy name to you might not resonate with your potential customers. Getting feedback from your audience can help you avoid choosing a name that falls flat or has unintended connotations.
Brandzilla's Solution: We encourage you to test our curated domains with your audience to ensure they align with your brand's goals. By offering names that have already been vetted for broad appeal and a logo to help bring the name to life, we help you avoid the pitfalls of choosing a name that doesn't connect with your market.
How Brandzilla Helps You Get It Right
At Brandzilla, we're committed to helping Australian businesses find the perfect domain name without falling prey to common mistakes. Here's how we do it:
- Curated Selection: Our domains are carefully curated to ensure they meet high standards for memorability, relevance, and brand alignment. We eliminate the guesswork by offering names that have been thoroughly vetted.
- Bundled Extensions: Where we control the .au domain, we'll include it at no extra cost when you purchase the .com.au, doubling your digital presence and protecting your brand. We can also help you secure other relevant extensions, such as .net.au.
- Transparent Pricing: We offer competitive pricing based on market trends, ensuring you get exceptional value for your investment. There are no hidden fees—our prices include the domain name, a complimentary year of registration, GST, and all transfer costs.
- Seamless Purchase Process: Our process is simple and convenient, whether you buy outright or opt for a flexible payment plan. Our dedicated brokers are here to ensure a smooth transfer process so you can focus on building your brand without delay.
- Expert Support: Our team of experts is always available to provide guidance and answer any questions. From choosing the right domain to navigating the registration process, we're here to help every step of the way.
Conclusion
Choosing the right domain name is a critical decision that can have lasting implications for your business. By avoiding common mistakes—such as using complex names, neglecting trademark issues, and failing to secure all relevant extensions—you can set your business up for success in the digital landscape.
At Brandzilla, we've made it our mission to empower Australian businesses by providing a curated selection of premium domains that avoid these pitfalls. Our focus on simplicity, relevance, and protection ensures that you can confidently build your brand and make a lasting impact in the marketplace. Don't let common domain mistakes hold you back—explore our selection today and take the first step towards securing your business's future.
