How to Choose the Right Domain Name for Your Business

Simple Tips to Nail Your Online Identity from Day One

🚀 Your Domain Name Is Your Digital Address — So Make It Count

Choosing your business name was hard enough.

Now you’re faced with the next decision:

“What domain name should I use?”

At Bitstream Media, we’ve seen plenty of businesses pick a domain in 5 minutes — only to regret it for years.

Your domain name is your online home base. It affects how people find you, how they remember you, and how seriously they take your brand.

Here’s how to choose the right domain name for your business — one that’s brandable, findable, and future-proof.

✅ 1. Match Your Brand (or Get As Close As Possible)

Your domain should reflect your business name, so it’s:

• Easy to remember

• Easy to associate with your brand

• Easy to type or recommend

🎯 Ideal:

• bitstreammedia.com.au

• campbelltownfitness.com.au

• thecakecollective.com.au

❌ Avoid:

• Weird abbreviations: rwtech1on1.biz

• Overly long combos: johnsmithstradeservicesnsw.com

• Unrelated phrases: letsgetfitnow.com (for a business named “Core PT”)

Pro Tip: If your exact business name is taken, try:
* Adding your location (e.g. smithplumbingcampbelltown.com.au)
* Adding your service (bitstreamdesign.com.au)
* Using “au” if available (bitstream.au)

✅ 2. Use a .com.au (or .au) If You’re Australian

If you’re based in Australia and your audience is local, use an Australian domain extension.

Why?

• Australians trust .com.au and .au domains more

• You must have an ABN or business registration to register one = extra trust

• Google often prioritises country-specific domains for local searches

Options:

• .com.au = best for businesses

• .net.au = okay for tech/hosting companies

• .au = shorter and modern, becoming more popular

Bonus Tip: If possible, register both .com.au and .au to prevent someone else from grabbing the other.

✅ 3. Keep It Short, Simple, and Spellable

You want people to remember your domain after seeing it once.

✅ Good domains:

• Are under 20 characters

• Use common words

• Are easy to pronounce and type

• Don’t use dashes or odd spellings

❌ Risky:

• Long phrases (australiasbestaffordablecustomcakes.com.au)

• Confusing abbreviations (cccsyd.com)

• Hyphens or numbers (bitstream-media123.com.au)

If you ever have to say your domain aloud (on a phone call or radio ad), it should roll off the tongue and be instantly understood.

✅ 4. Think Long-Term

Your domain should be future-proof.

That means:

• Avoid tying it to a product you might stop selling

• Avoid using a location you might move from

• Avoid niche terms that may not age well

Example:

• campbelltowncakes.com.au is great — if you’ll always be based there

• bitstreamtiktokagency.com.au might not age well if TikTok loses popularity

✅ Use a name that can grow with you — and that you won’t outgrow in 2 years.

✅ 5. Check Social Media Availability Too

Even if you’re not ready to use them yet — it’s smart to check that matching usernames are available.

Use tools like Namecheckr to see if your name is free across:

• Facebook

• Instagram

• TikTok

• X (formerly Twitter)

• LinkedIn

• YouTube

✅ Try to get the same handle everywhere

✅ If not, reserve a similar version (@bitstreammedia_au etc.)

This helps protect your brand consistency online.

✅ 6. Avoid Trademark and Legal Issues

✅ Before buying, Google the name and check:

• Is it already in use by a competitor?

• Does another company hold a trademark?

• Will your name cause confusion in your industry?

Use:

• ASIC Business Name Checker

• IP Australia’s TM Checker

Protecting your domain legally can save you:

• Rebranding costs

• Lost SEO traffic

• Nasty legal letters

✅ 7. Buy From a Reputable Registrar

Don’t just buy your domain from the cheapest provider with flashing “50% off” banners.

Use trusted Australian domain registrars like:

• VentraIP

• CrazyDomains (reliable, if you’re careful with upsells)

• GoDaddy AU

• Netregistry

• Synergy Wholesale (via resellers)

✅ Always:

• Register the domain in your name, not your web developer’s

• Use an email address you’ll always have access to

• Keep your ABN on file for .com.au compliance

✅ 8. Consider Registering Variants and Protecting Your Name

If your business is growing — or could face copycats — it’s smart to register:

• .com, .com.au, and .au

• Common typos

• Alternative spellings

• Plural versions (e.g., cakecollectives.com.au)

✅ Point them all to your main site with 301 redirects

✅ This protects your brand, traffic, and SEO

🔁 What If Your Ideal Domain Is Already Taken?

Step 1: Check if it’s actively in use

• Visit the domain — is it a real business?

• Or just a holding page?

Step 2: Consider slight variations

• Add a word (e.g. getbitstream.com.au)

• Use a different domain extension

• Add your region (bitstreamnsw.com.au)

Step 3: Use a domain broker (optional)

• You can try to buy the domain from the current owner

• Some registrars offer broker services — expect $300–$1500+

If you’re just starting out, it’s better to pick a solid available name than wait months or overpay.

📈 Bonus Tips for SEO and Branding

✅ Include a keyword (but don’t overdo it):

smithplumbing.com.au is better than spsyd99.com.au

✅ Use lowercase in URLs

Domains are not case-sensitive, but lowercase is easier to read/share.

✅ Renew for multiple years if possible

Some believe this gives a small SEO trust boost — and it protects you from expiry.

🧭 Checklist: Before You Register

✅ [ ] Matches your business name or branding

✅ [ ] Uses .com.au or .au if targeting Australia

✅ [ ] Short, simple, and easy to spell

✅ [ ] Available on major social platforms

✅ [ ] Legally clear (trademark + ASIC checks)

✅ [ ] Purchased from a reputable registrar

✅ [ ] Registered under your name and email

✅ [ ] Common variants also registered (if possible)

🚀 TL;DR: Domain Name Tips for Small Business

✋ Still Stuck on the Right Name?

At Bitstream Media, we help small businesses:

• Choose names that grow with them

• Secure the right domains early

• Set up branding, hosting, and strategy the smart way

📞 Book a naming strategy chat

💬 Ask us anything

🌐 Visit bitstreammedia.com.au

Let’s make sure your digital foundation starts strong — and stays yours.