Domain monetisation for .au domain names
Monetising domain names involves generating revenue through various strategies. The primary methods are described below.
1 Advertising Revenue
Developing a website associated with the domain and earning income by displaying advertisements. This can be achieved through:
- Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising
Earning money each time a visitor clicks on an ad on the site. Services such as Sedo offer an end-to-end solution for sourcing and displaying ads on an otherwise empty site. - Affiliate Marketing
Promoting products or services and receiving a commission on sales generated through referral links.
2 Domain Name Flipping
Purchasing domain names with the intent to sell them at a higher price. This requires identifying domains with potential value due to factors like keyword relevance, brandability, or market trends. Investors should be aware of risks such as liquidity issues, subjective valuations, and legal challenges.
3 Leasing or Renting Domains
Allowing another party to use the domain for a fee. However, under the current .au Domain Administration Rules, leasing or sub-licensing of .au domain names is prohibited, except where the arrangement is with a related body corporate that has an Australian presence.
4 Developing and Selling Websites
Building a fully functional website on the domain and selling it as a complete package. This approach can increase the domain’s value by demonstrating its potential for generating traffic and revenue.
Rules for .au domains
It’s important to note that while domain monetisation is allowed in the com.au, net.au, and .au direct namespaces, it must be undertaken in accordance with the auDA .au Domain Investing and Monetisation rules and guidelines.
Domain monetisation is prohibited in the org.au, asn.au, id.au, edu.au, and State and Territory namespaces.
Before engaging in domain monetisation, ensure compliance with the relevant licensing rules and consider the potential legal and ethical implications of your chosen strategy.
