We’re thrilled to introduce our TIC-sized Knowledge Series!
At The Island Creative, we do a lot, but one thing we DON’T do is gatekeep learning.
Erica has always loved helping others upskill, so when planning our upcoming blogs & social media posts, we make sure to focus on sharing valuable info!
Our TIC-sized info bites come from our soon-to-be-launched FREE mini-course, the “Website Prep Pack.”
First in our series is “Domains.”
A domain is like your website’s home address on the internet, pointing to a unique set of numbers called an IP address. For example, theislandcreative.com.au is our domain. It’s easier to remember words than numbers, right? Plus, you DON’T need to type “www” anymore, just the domain name will do.
There are various types of domains. Common ones like .com, .net, and .org only need basic info like your name and email to register. In Australia, .com.au domains are popular for businesses and require an ABN.
Each domain name is unique, but you can have the same name with different extensions, like theislandcreative.com.au and theislandcreative.com.
We recommend getting both .com and .com.au if you’re in Australia. Domains typically start at around $20 per year, with discounts for longer terms, and prices vary based on additional products and support levels.
Understanding domains can be a game-changer for beginner business owners. Let’s break it down simply:
1. What is a Domain?
- A domain is your unique address on the internet, like “theislandcreative.com.au”.
- It points to an IP address, a sequence of numbers that determines your website’s location online. Instead of remembering numbers, it’s easier to remember words.
2. Why Domains Matter
- Domains usually reflect your business name or clearly indicate what your site is about. For example, my domain is “theislandcreative.com.au”.
- You don’t need to type “www” at the beginning anymore. Just the domain name will do.
3. Types of Domains
- Top-Level Domains (TLDs): Common ones like .com, .net, and .org can be registered easily with just basic info.
- Country Code Top-Level Domains (ccTLDs): For example, .com.au is standard for Australian businesses and requires an ABN.
- Special Domains: Restricted domains like .gov.au or .edu require permission to use.
- Fun Domains: New and creative options like .guitar, .christmas, and .tattoo are now available.
4. Domain Uniqueness
- No two domain names can be the same. For example, “theislandcreative.com.au” and “theislandcreative.com” can be owned by different people.
5. Costs and Registration
- Domains typically start at around $20 per year. Discounts are available for longer registration periods, up to 10 years.
6. Domain vs. URL
- A domain is the name of your website (e.g., theislandcreative.com.au).
- A URL (Universal Resource Locator) is a complete web address leading to any page on your site.
We offer hosting through our sister business, Jeffrey Studios so if you’re a Tassie business in need of a domain, we’re here to help!
Stay tuned for more insights in our series, and if there’s anything you’d like to learn about, our inbox is always open!