VentraIP is an Australian-owned domain and hosting provider. Getting started means buying the pieces you need, then managing everything from one dashboard called VIPcontrol. Here's the whole path from nothing to a working setup, with a picture at each step.
FIRST, THE BASICSDomain vs hosting vs email
Three things often get confused. In plain terms:
- Domain name — your web address, like yourbusiness.com.au. This is what people type in.
- Web hosting — the space where your website's files actually live so the site loads. VentraIP hosting is cPanel-based.
- Email hosting — mailboxes on your domain, like you@yourbusiness.com.au.
For a live website you usually want a domain + hosting. Email can be added on top. Not sure what you need? Ask us and we'll spell out exactly what to buy.
GOOD TO KNOWYou can't make an empty account
VentraIP doesn't let you create a blank VIPcontrol account on its own. Your account is created automatically when you buy your first service, whether that's a domain, hosting or email. So "signing up" and "buying your first thing" happen at the same time, during checkout in Step 4.
STEP 1Decide what you need
Quick gut-check before you start, tick what applies:
| You want to… | You'll need |
|---|---|
| Launch a brand-new website | Domain + hosting |
| Just claim a domain name for now | Domain only |
| Professional email on your domain | Domain + email hosting |
| Move an existing site/domain to VentraIP | Transfer (see Step further down) |
STEP 2Search and register your domain
Head to ventraip.com.au and use the domain search. Type the name you want and check what's available, then add it to your cart. For a .com.au or .au domain you'll need an eligible ABN/ACN (most Australian businesses qualify).
Find your perfect domain
Search a name and add an available domain to your cart.
STEP 3Choose a hosting plan (if you need a site)
If you're building a website, add hosting. VentraIP's main shared plans are all cPanel-based, prices start from around $7–$8/mo (check the site for current pricing):
Business
Custom
WordPress
Illustration of VentraIP's hosting tiers, confirm current pricing on their site.
Most small business sites are happy on Business or Custom. If you're on WordPress/WooCommerce, pick WordPress hosting. If you're a client of ours, just ask and we'll tell you the exact plan to buy for your build.
STEP 4Create your account at checkout
Go to your cart and check out. This is where your VIPcontrol account is created, enter your name, business details, email and set a password. Use a personal email (like Gmail/Outlook) rather than an @yourdomain address, so you can always get in even if your domain email has an issue.
Create your account
Your checkout details become your VIPcontrol account.
STEP 5Log in and follow the setup checklist
Once your order goes through, log in at vip.ventraip.com.au. Your dashboard shows a guided setup checklist for each new service. For hosting/email, VentraIP can configure the DNS records for you (if your domain is managed with them), or give you the records to set yourself.
Getting started
The VIPcontrol dashboard walks you through finishing setup.
Pointing a domain, nameservers, DNS records, cPanel, is where most people get stuck. If that's you, skip it and hand it to us. That's literally the next section.
ALREADY SET UP ELSEWHERE?Transferring in
If you already own a domain or have a site with another host, you don't need to start over:
- Domain — use VentraIP's Transfer a Domain tool to move it across (you'll need an EPP/auth code from your current provider).
- Hosting — VentraIP offers free cPanel migrations, they'll move your existing site over for you.
Not sure whether to transfer or start fresh? We'll assess it and handle the move so nothing breaks or goes offline.
HAND IT OVERInvite Automatrix to manage it
Once your VentraIP account exists, the easiest way to let us build and manage everything is to add us as an Additional User, you never share your password, and you can remove us anytime. The short version:
The complete "Invite Automatrix to VentraIP" guide
Every step shown in detail, plus the Additional User vs Contact difference and how to remove access later.
FAQCommon questions
No, VentraIP doesn't offer blank accounts. Your VIPcontrol account is created automatically when you buy your first service (domain, hosting or email).
For a live website, usually yes, the domain is your address, hosting is where the site lives. If you only need email, or you host elsewhere, you might only need one.
You can transfer it in with VentraIP's transfer tool, or leave it where it is and just point it at your VentraIP hosting. Either works, ask us which is cleaner for you.
Domains and hosting are billed separately; shared hosting starts from roughly $7–$8/mo and domains vary by extension. Always check ventraip.com.au for current pricing.
Yes. Buy the service (so the account is in your name), invite us as an Additional User, and we'll handle the domain, DNS, hosting and site build from there.
We'll set up your whole VentraIP for you
Tell us your business name and we'll advise the right domain and plan, then handle setup end to end.