Small businesses urged to register their SHORTER & SIMPLER internet domain names ASAP.

A FOLLOW UP REMINDER: The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson has implored small businesses to take urgent action by 20 September 2022 deadline – JUST DAYS AWAY – to safeguard their brand and identity on the internet or risk seeing impersonators, web-name ‘campers’ or cyber criminals take up domain names just like theirs!

Shorter, simpler Australian domain names are available with the launch of .au direct. The new namespace is the biggest innovation in Australia’s domain landscape in 20 years, providing new options for web and email addresses. 

The auDA introduced the new system on 24 March 2022 allowing anyone with a connection to Australia, such as businesses, associations and individuals, to register a new category of domain name. Instead of ending with .com.au, .net.au, asn.au, etc. people could register the shorter .au name. For example, shoes.com.au could be shoes.au

Australian businesses with an existing domain name only have until 20 September 2022 to reserve or register their equivalent .au domain name before it becomes available to the general public.

The Ombudsman said the changes could see businesses lose their customer base or be at the mercy of cyber criminals impersonating them if they did not proactively sign up to the new system.  

“Our business has just actioned this, registering the ‘highview.au’ domain name to ensure it’s owned by us before registrations open up to the general public. It’s easy to do and safeguards our brand online. It’s a no-brainer for all small businesses in my opinion – it’s only a small cost to ensure your business is keeping up with the online world now and into the future.” said Brodie Crowther, Highview’s Marketing Manager.

To read more about Australia’s newest namespace .au direct click here.