Website, email and marketing
A simple website and a professional email address make your business easy to find and easy to trust. Here's how to get online, choose the right platform for your stage, and market within Australian rules.
This guide includes links to providers. Some are affiliate or referral links and we may earn a commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you. Providers marked "We don't earn a commission" pay us nothing. Affiliate disclosure.
1. Claim your domain
A .com.au domain needs an Australian presence, such as an ABN or ACN, and a close connection to your name or business. You can also hold the matching .au direct name. See auDA (opens in a new tab), the .au domain administrator, for the rules. Register through an accredited registrar.
2. Pick a website platform
| If you want... | Consider |
|---|---|
| A simple site, fast and affordable | A website builder with hosting included, e.g. Hostinger (opens in a new tab) |
| Design control without code | Webflow (opens in a new tab) |
| WordPress with speed and support handled | Managed WordPress hosting, e.g. Kinsta (opens in a new tab) |
| Sales funnels, email and courses in one | systeme.io (opens in a new tab) |
| An online store | Shopify (opens in a new tab) |
3. Set up business email
An address at your own domain looks professional and keeps your business email separate. Many hosting plans include email, or use a productivity suite such as Google Workspace (opens in a new tab) for email, calendar and documents.
4. Market within the rules
- Email marketing: under the Spam Act 2003, you need consent, must identify your business and must include a working unsubscribe. See ACMA's guide (opens in a new tab).
- Advertising: claims must not be misleading, including prices and reviews. See the ACCC's advertising guidance (opens in a new tab).
- Privacy: if you collect customer details, publish a privacy policy and handle data carefully. See the OAIC (opens in a new tab).
Tools to consider
Listed in no particular order. This isn't every provider in the market, so compare a few and check current pricing and terms on each provider's site.
Hostinger
Web hosting, website builder, domains and business email
Good for: New businesses wanting a low-cost site and email
Hostinger offers shared and cloud hosting, a website builder and business email. Intro prices usually need a longer upfront term and renew at a higher rate, so check the renewal price too.
Worth knowing
- Low entry prices on longer terms
- Website builder and hosting in one control panel
- Renewal prices are higher than intro prices
We may earn a commission if you sign up through this link. Disclosure.
Webflow
Visual website builder with hosting and CMS
Good for: Businesses and designers who want custom design without code
Webflow is a visual website builder with hosting and a content management system. It gives fine control over design and layout, and suits businesses that care about a polished, custom look.
Worth knowing
- Strong design control
- Learning curve is steeper than simple builders
- Site plans and workspace plans are priced separately
We may earn a commission if you sign up through this link. Disclosure.
Kinsta
Managed WordPress hosting
Good for: Established WordPress sites that need speed and support
Kinsta provides managed WordPress hosting on Google Cloud infrastructure, handling performance, backups and security so you can focus on the site.
Worth knowing
- Hands-off WordPress maintenance
- Priced above basic shared hosting
- Best for sites that already have traffic or plan to grow
We may earn a commission if you sign up through this link. Disclosure.
systeme.io
Funnels, email marketing, online courses and a website builder
Good for: Coaches, creators and service businesses selling online
systeme.io combines sales funnels, email marketing, online courses and a simple website builder in one platform, with a free plan to start.
Worth knowing
- Many tools in one account
- Free plan to get going
- Less design flexibility than dedicated builders
We may earn a commission if you sign up through this link. Disclosure.
HubSpot
CRM, email marketing, sales and service tools
Good for: Businesses that want to track leads and customers
HubSpot is customer relationship management (CRM) software with marketing, sales and service tools. It has free tools to start and paid tiers as you scale.
Worth knowing
- Free CRM tools to start
- Paid tiers can add up as you grow
- Great for keeping every customer conversation in one place
We may earn a commission if you sign up through this link. Disclosure.
Kit (formerly ConvertKit)
Email marketing and newsletters
Good for: Businesses building an email list
Kit (formerly ConvertKit) is email marketing software with sign-up forms, landing pages, newsletters and automations. Pricing rises with your subscriber count.
Worth knowing
- Free plan to start a newsletter
- Automations for welcome sequences
- Costs grow with your list
We may earn a commission if you sign up through this link. Disclosure.
Shopify
E-commerce platform for online and in-person sales
Good for: Product businesses selling online
Shopify lets you build an online store, take payments, manage stock and sell across channels, with an app store for extra features.
Worth knowing
- Everything for an online store in one place
- Apps and themes can add cost
- Check transaction fees and payment options
We may earn a commission if you sign up through this link. Disclosure.
Google Workspace
Business email, calendar, documents and storage
Good for: Any business wanting email at its own domain
Google Workspace provides Gmail at your own domain, plus Calendar, Drive, Docs, Sheets and Meet, priced per user.
Worth knowing
- Professional email at your domain
- Priced per user per month
- Familiar tools for most teams
We may earn a commission if you sign up through this link. Disclosure.
Free official resources
Common questions
Do I need an ABN for a .com.au domain?
You need an Australian presence, which for most businesses means an ABN or ACN, and the domain must have a close connection to your name or business.
Can I email people who give me their details?
Yes, with their consent. Under the Spam Act 2003 you must identify your business and include a working unsubscribe in every marketing message.