General
Why You Should Use an Aussie Domain Registrar
Sep
In case you haven’t noticed, Aussie domain names are amongst the most regulated in the world. There are rules and policies for almost everything!
In particular, when you buy or sell a domain name, a Change of Registrant must be legally effected. This involves both the seller and buyer giving a “warranty” that they are eligible to buy and sell. And, of course, paying a fee!
This warranty is given to our Aussie regulator auDA via an approved registrar, and is explained on auDA’s website.
Most good Australian registrars offer an electronic Change of Registrant option (CoR). Those that don’t offer paper versions (yuck!). When you do an electronic CoR, the details of the new registrant are updated almost immediately at the registry.
Would you buy a house if your name wasn’t on the title?
No one would fork out a lot of money to buy real estate if they didn’t get their name registered on the title.
Yet every day I see instances where people and businesses that buy Aussie domain names don’t go the final step of officially becoming the new registrant.
Many think that by just changing the registrant contact email address, this is sufficient.
It isn’t!
Australian domains are different to most of the world
If you buy or sell a dot com or a New Zealand or UK domain name (and many other extensions), you don’t need to jump through hoops to effect a Change of Registrant.
Most buyers simply obtain the EPP code (password) and transfer the domain to their own registrar of choice.
The registrant details can then be updated online. How simple is that!
But of course, we are different here in Australia.
Some overseas owned registrars find it difficult
I have sold Aussie domains through some of the biggest aftermarkets in the world.
Yet all they do is change the registrant contact details to their buyer’s email address. They do not complete a Change of Registrant.
This year alone, I have over 15 domains that still list one of my companies as the registrant.
One such buyer emailed me recently asking what they should do. I explained the process, and they contacted their registrar. They contacted me again and said that that the process appeared “too difficult” for the overseas registrar. Hmmm.
Solution
Even if you purchase on an overseas based platform, make sure you have an account with a good Aussie based registrar. They understand the rules and regulations.
Then transfer the domains into your account, and ask the registrar to assist you in effecting an electronic CoR. It’s easy if you have help.
As a professional domain investor and proprietor of an Australian based aftermarket, I can recommend the following registrars (based on personal experience).
If you have a lot of domain names:
If you only have a few:
Comments or questions?
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