Building a trusted online presence: .au websites to complement your social media

There’s no doubt social media and online marketplaces are a good way to reach people online. They connect you to people, businesses or topics of interest. They’re also crowded environments that mean you’re subject to algorithm changes and rules outside of your control. In the case of social media, it also requires you to regularly develop new content to be seen online.

Alternately, a business website powered by a .au domain name can give you control of your online presence and leverage the trust consumers have in .au domain names. By building a website powered by .au, you’ll create an online hub that will serve your business in the long term.

Have you ever come across a new local shop or service on social media and realised, on further research, that they don’t have an established business website?

If a business without a website has ever given you pause before proceeding to the online checkout or purchasing a service, then you’re not alone. According to auDA research:

• Two in five Australian consumers won’t buy from a business online if it only has a social media presence and no website.
• Three in four are more likely to trust an Australian business if its website ends in .au
• Half will only purchase from a business online if it has an Australian website ending in .au.

A social media profile can be created in minutes, often without the checks and balances associated with registering a .au. Meanwhile, a .au website sends a signal that you:

• Have a validated Australian presence
• Are eligible to hold a .au domain name under the .au Licensing Rules
• Are subject to Australian consumer laws.

Trust and credibility are increasingly important in today’s online world. Linking your social media profiles to your .au website can expand your customer base and attract new buyers who know, trust and value .au – creating connection and building trust across your entire online business footprint.

A website with your own .au domain name provides an online hub to shape the way you present your business information and engage with customers.

When you rely solely on social media, the platform determines the way in which you can build your online presence. The layout, features and even whether your audiences see your content are decided by the platform’s algorithms and policies, which can be subject to change. When the platform or algorithm does change, your audience and reach might also change overnight.

By contrast, your own .au website is a space you control. You have the freedom to design, build and change your online presence how and when you like.

While setting up a website may sound daunting, it can be simple. There are many tools, including new AI driven website builders available to help new starters instantly create an effective, engaging website. You can even bundle a website builder with your domain name registration with many providers.

Your website doesn’t need to be elaborate or complicated. For example, if you own a café, all your website needs to be effective is your location, menu and operating hours. You can also use your .au domain name to create a custom, professional email address to complement your website. Once you’re established and ready to expand your website, you have the freedom to do so at your own pace.

A simple .au website with your core business information helps customers find what they need and gives you a stronger, credible connection across your online presence.

Using a .au domain name for your online presence provides both global and local benefits.

Globally, .au is the equal-seventh largest country code Top Level Domain (or ccTLD like .nz, or .uk) in the world. It processes approximately 7 billion queries per day, with a large proportion of those queries originating from outside Australia. It’s a valuable channel for you to connect with individuals, customers and organisations locally, and across the globe.

On our home shores, Australians love supporting local. It’s a great choice if you’re targeting local audiences or customers who look for and value .au. Search engines also aim to provide the most relevant search results to users based on a range of factors, including location. This means that if someone in Australia is searching for a product or service you provide, you are more likely to be found by Australians if you have a .au website.

In today’s digital landscape, a website powered by a .au domain name enhances your online presence. You might engage and connect with customers through social media, but to really make the most of your online presence, it’s helpful to direct them to your .au website.

Find the .au domain name for you or learn more about using a .au domain for a website or email address.