Petals Micro-websites?

Published: Tuesday 16 December 2014

 Petals Micro-websites?

If you are a Petals Network member the chances are that Petals have created a micro website using your business name that tricks people into thinking they are buying from you when they are not.

Registered in your name but not your website

The website name has been registered by Petals in your business name using your name and ABN. They have done this because buried in their agreement with you is a clause which allows them to do this.

These websites are stealing your business and good will!

We have had numerous discussions with our customers where their customers have rung them indignant that the order they made on their website was not delivered. Further investigation has found that even though the order was made on your businesses named petals website you do not necessary get the order relayed to you! This is extremely bad for business!

Your SEO is being affected

Often these sites are ranking far higher than your actual website in Google which is extremely concerning. This also means that Google has two websites with virtually the same name, company and contact details. Again this means that Google views one website as an imposter and can de-rank you.

What should you do?

Call Petals and politely ask them to remove the website immediately and have the domain name transferred to you. Once the domain name has been transferred you can then have the domain name pointed to your existing website. You can easily check to see whether Petals has a website registered in your name by doing a Google Search for your business name and looking for the website. Many of our clients have successfully requested Petals remove these websites and transfer the domain name to them, it only takes a quick search to check the name and ABN of the company the domain is registered to. We have a contact a Petals who our customers have had success with: Samantha: sdoran@petalsnetwork.com.au

.com.au Domain Names

Under Australian Law only the company or business that owns the business name may register a domain name in that business name so Petals whilst acting legally by declaring in their network contract registering the domain name must if ask transfer the domain name to the legal business name owner.

  1. Domain names in the com.au 2LD must be:
  2. a) an exact match, abbreviation or acronym of the registrant's name or trademark; or
  3. b) otherwise closely and substantially connected to the registrant, in accordance with the categories of 'close and substantial connection' set out in the Guidelines on the Interpretation of Policy Rules for the Open 2LDs.
  4. A domain name may also be registered in the com.au 2LD under paragraph 2(b) for the purpose of domain monetisation, in accordance with the explanation of 'domain monetisation' set out in the Guidelines on the Interpretation of Policy Rules for the Open 2LDs, provided that the following conditions are met:
  5. a) the content on the website to which the domain name resolves must be related specifically and predominantly to subject matter denoted by the domain name; and
  6. b) the domain name must not be, or incorporate, an entity name, personal name or brand name in existence at the time the domain name was registered*.

The rules can be read here http://www.auda.org.au/policies/2012-04/

Protect your brand Register related domain names

This is a good reminder that as a blocking move to stop other companies from grabbing your business domain names that you should register these or variations yourself. If your Business name is Blooming Flowers and your primary domain name is http://www.bloomingflowers.com.au thinking about registering: bloomingflorist.com.au bloomingflowerssuburbname.com.au etc.

 

Drew Wentzel

Drew Wentzel

Drew Wentzel is the principal of enflexion with over 30 years of experience in developing web services and software, Drew has helped design and develop usable and functionality rich Internet applications and built online presences for a wide variety of industries including retail, government, hospitality, lifestyle, corporate and technology companies.

Tags: SEO, Marketing, eCommerce

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