What is an Australian Certified Website? A website that has successfully passed our certification process.
What does the GOLD Logo represent? The GOLD logo means that you are 100% Australian Owned and Operated.
What is the certification process? We have a checklist that we go through to audit your website.
How much does it cost? The application fee is $30.
Is the logo a Trademark? Yes.
Does our website have to link to yours? All successful website will have to display our logo on their homepage. You will be given a link to a dedicated page showcasing your site.
How do I apply? Click the APPLY button on our website. Complete the application form and either submit online, fax or email.
How long does the application take? The application process will take between 1 to 24 hours with the exception of weekends and public holidays.
How long does the certification last? The certification is valid for 12 months. We will re-audit your site (to ensure that nothing has changed) and you are invited to renew your certification.
Will you promote my website? MY OATH we will... We are very proud that you are Australian.
Can we see an example of a certified site? Yes, a GOLD site is http://www.prettythingsdistractme.com.au/
Who should I direct my enquiries to? My name is Jessica Urquhart (founder of Australian Certified Website), you can phone me, email me or enquire online.
Are you a Government body? No, we are independent. We hope to get government support in the near future.
“Our goal is for consumers to have a place to find Trusted Aussie Websites and gain trust in our logos. We are not a business directory, nor will we accept all applications - we have a strict process and only 100% Australian sites will be successful.”
If you like the sound of our certification, please send in your application and let your friends know about us.
Why Australian Certified Website Was Born
~ I am very patriotic and was sick of websites claiming they were Australian, only to find my products were being shipped from overseas.
~ I am from a small country town in NSW and by necessity I do a lot of online shopping.
~ While most Australian websites are honest - some aren’t. This concept was born for consumer benefit.
~ I also found that many advertising / directory websites that we have grown to love and trust do not check their listings and many fraudulent websites are latching on to trusted sites.
~ Australian Government do not regulate Australian internet. They rely on people dobbing in websites that are fraudulent, explicit, gambling, illegal or offensive.
~ While we check your location, phone numbers, host etc we also check the things that the government require - so basically we only approve websites that comply with our conditions as well as the Australian Government regulations for websites.
~ I was sick of websites not having ANY means of contact - or displaying their business information. If you are a business, you have to display your information or at least have some means of contact so consumers can A) give you feedback B) complain or C) feel safe to refer your business onto their friends - transparency is the key.
~ Sometimes it takes a long time to work your way through a website to find out where they are trading from and other important information - we wanted an iconic logo that consumers can identify immediately so they know straight away that you are an Australian based website and that money will stay in Australia.
~ If consumers are still unsure of your identity they can click the logo (within your website) and if it points to our dedicated page that confirms your certification - they know it is 100% legitimate. If the logo does not point anywhere, you can contact us to find out if they are legitimate or are illegally displaying our logo.
~ We didn't want a “directory of Australian websites” as there are many of sites that showcase Australian websites, but quite frankly some of them don't even check the listings and pretty much anyone can jump on board.
~ Just like you can buy the brand “Australian Made” or “Australian Grown” we wanted a similar approach to the vehicle that sells your products or displays your information - your website.
~ We are not government funded; we are an independent business LOOKING OUT FOR AUSTRALIAN’S.
~ A lot of time and effort goes into the certification process to keep it stringent and reliable.
How Can Our Certification Benefit Your Website?
~ As you are aware, it costs a small fortune to get at the top of the search engine lists and even if you make it on the first page (through keywords) you are listed with your competitors. Are your competitors from overseas? Do they list their products cheaper, and then sting the customer on freight?
~ Only people who know your exact website address, have been referred by a friend or they regularly scour directory sites to find you - lets have one trusted location where Australian websites will be found and trusted by more Aussies immediately.
~ By becoming an Australian Certified Website, you will be listed with the elite Australian websites on our website to showcase your products and services.
~ Australian consumers will start to recognise our logo and come to our site to look for you - believe it or not, consumers are just as patriotic as you and I.
