Domain pricing
How much does a domain name cost?
Domain name price depends on the extension, the registrar, and whether it is a standard name or a premium resale. Here are realistic numbers for Australian businesses, plus how to check price before you register.
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Domain name price: typical ranges
For a normal business name, expect roughly $15 to $50 AUD per year for a .com.au domain and a similar band for .com. Promotional first-year pricing can be lower; renewal is often higher. That is the number to budget for.
Domain prices spike when someone already owns the name and wants to sell it. A registration might cost $20/year; the same word bought from an owner can cost hundreds or thousands. That is aftermarket pricing, not registrar pricing.
Your domain bill is separate from your website and hosting. A SiteSubs build is $800 upfront plus $20/month hosting. You pay the registrar directly for the domain each year.
Registrar comparison
Domain prices by registrar (AUD)
Approximate prices for standard domains at registrars commonly used in Australia. First-year columns often reflect intro promos (*) for new registrations only. Renewal is what you pay long term. Prices change; confirm in the cart before checkout.
| Compare | VentraIP | Crazy Domains | GoDaddy AU | Namecheap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| .com.au (1st year) | ~$10* | ~$19* | ~$10–20* | ~$19 |
| .com.au (renewal) | ~$23 | ~$25 | ~$24 | ~$21 |
| .com (1st year) | ~$25 | ~$24* | ~$1–20* | ~$7–14* |
| .com (renewal) | ~$25 | ~$29 | ~$40 | ~$19 |
VentraIP
- .com.au (1st year)
- ~$10*
- .com.au (renewal)
- ~$23
- .com (1st year)
- ~$25
- .com (renewal)
- ~$25
Crazy Domains
- .com.au (1st year)
- ~$19*
- .com.au (renewal)
- ~$25
- .com (1st year)
- ~$24*
- .com (renewal)
- ~$29
GoDaddy AU
- .com.au (1st year)
- ~$10–20*
- .com.au (renewal)
- ~$24
- .com (1st year)
- ~$1–20*
- .com (renewal)
- ~$40
Namecheap
- .com.au (1st year)
- ~$19
- .com.au (renewal)
- ~$21
- .com (1st year)
- ~$7–14*
- .com (renewal)
- ~$19
How it works
What affects domain prices
Domain prices are not one flat number. These factors change what you pay.
- 01
The extension (TLD)
.com.au, .com, and .net sit in the standard range for most registrars. Less common extensions (.io, .store, etc.) vary widely. Pick what fits your market, not what looks cheapest in a promo banner.
- 02
First year vs renewal
Many registrars discount year one to win your business, then charge more on renewal. Domain renewal price is the real long-term cost. Before you buy, look up renewal price in the cart or price list, not just the intro offer.
- 03
Premium or taken names
If the registrar marks a name as premium, checkout will show a higher price before you pay. If a name is owned by someone else, registration price does not apply until they sell or let it expire.
- 04
Add-ons at checkout
Registrars often pre-tick privacy, email, or website builder upsells. Uncheck what you do not need. Domain registration price should be one line item you understand.
How to check domain price before you buy
The honest way to check domain price is a direct search on a registrar site. Type the name, see if it is available, and read the checkout total including renewal.
Tools labeled domain price search or domain price lookup on registrar sites show registration cost for available names. They are shopping tools, not appraisals of what a taken name is "worth" to a buyer.
Compare two or three registrars on renewal price for the same extension. A difference of $10/year adds up over five years. For Australian businesses, any accredited .au registrar is fine if the price and dashboard are clear.
Domain renewal price and total cost of ownership
You pay every year to keep the domain. Budget for domain renewal price at the standard rate, not the intro promo.
Website domain cost per year is only part of going online. You also need hosting (SiteSubs hosting is $20/month after a build) and optionally email (Google Workspace or similar, billed separately). Cost of domain name and web hosting together might look like $20 to $50/year for the domain plus $240/year for hosting, before any email subscription.
Turn on auto-renewal and keep payment details current. Letting a domain lapse can cost far more in lost email, broken links, and recovery fees than a yearly renewal.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Ready when you are
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