For this example I’m going to set up a .com.au domain. The same principles apply no matter what suffix you chose.

Step 1. Buying a Country Specific Domain Name

To get a special domain ending in .com.au, .co.uk or .ca you need to buy it from a special website that sells these domains.

Personally I use Crazy Domains to buy my .com.au domains.

The reason I use them is:

• The price is good. .com.au domains are hard to get. Only a few years ago you would pay over $100 p.a. for an Australian domain.
• You can call them on an Australian number if you need help.
• They’re crazy. I mean look at their logo, it’s a ‘Z’ not a ‘C’.

Australians, you will need an ABN to purchase a .com.au domain.

To purchase a domain, go to Crazy Domains, type the domain name you want into the text box on the home page and hit search.

Now you should see your domain along with a selection of suffixes. I want the .com.au one so I’m going to click Add and then Register Now.

Crazy Domains will probably suggest you sign up to buy the domain for 2 years (buying a domain is actually leasing it), but that’s OK because you are going to have your business for a lot longer than that.

Keep following the cart prompts to continue to the transaction.

After you type in your details Crazy Domains will try to sell you a bunch of add ons. Just ignore them and keep scrolling to the bottom and clicking continue.

Skip the hosting option, we’ll set you up with HostGator later. (See website set up guide).

After 4 or 5 screens of add ons you will reach one asking you now for your business details. This is the bit you will need your ABN for. Pop them in.

Then you just need to pay and you’re done. Be sure to make a note of your login details. We’ll need them again soon.

Step 2. Pointing Your Domain Name At Your Hosting Account

If you registered using your own domain you will need to do another step now to tell Crazy Domains (assuming you used them) that you are hosting your website over at HostGator.

Your domain name is kind of like the name of your business and your hosting is where it’s physically located.

We are going to get a bit technical here so bear with me and take your time!

To do this log into your Crazy Domains account and go to Domains.

Click on your new domain.

Scroll down to Name Server Details and click Update Name Servers. A screen like the one below should appear.

Delete the existing ones and add the one’s that hostgator emailed to you.

Click update servers. You may have to wait 24 hours for this to sync up.

You will know when this is complete when you can access yourdomain.com/wp-admin and changes you make are reflected on yourdomain.com.

In the meantime Crazy Domains may pop some advertising on your website. Don’t stress, like I said this should disappear in 24 hours (or much much less).

Disclaimer

I am working this out just like you. If you have any problems ask me in the comments and I will do my best to answer but I am by no means a trained technical specialist.

I’m just a badass who enjoys working this stuff out.

All this information is free, however I do recieve a small commission from Crazy Domains and HostGator if you choose to sign up with them after clicking one of my links. This is awesome because it allows me to be paid and you to get this information for free.

That said, I do use both of these products and stand by them working very well for me. I wouldn’t recommend a crappy product to you because, well, that would just be a crappy thing to do.