I think a few important issues come up when selecting a domain name.When I had my first commercial website built about five years ago, I asked the SEO/Manager of the web development company how I should name the domain. Interestingly, he mentioned that having targeted keywords in the domain could slightly improve SERPS, but that it wasn't that big of deal. As I look back on that discussion today, reflecting on the battle for top placements which I am now involved, I am glad I went with my hunch and chose a domain name with critical targeted keywords. I think that keyword-based domain names are important, even if you only receive a small benefit from it. How many site owners with SERPS on the first page of Google are furiously trying to move up even one or two spots, and now wish they chose a domain name which provided a little boost? I think the right domain name can be critical, especially in fiercely competitive online markets.As much as many SEO experts say that the name of the domain is not significant in 2011, take a look at your own targeted keywords on Google SERPS. Typically, you still find a few sites in great SERP placement, with nothing other than the right keywords in the domain. Imagine how a site with useful content, appropriate backlinks, and the right domain name would do..... While Google changes the weight of its 200 or so factors regularly, keywords in the domain name are currently a pretty important component of the SERPS. Another important issue relates to business succession plans/future plans to sell your website. If your domain name emphasizes your own name, which is common in many industries, and your site becomes extremely successful, this may dramatically impair the value of the domain if you plan to sell it (along with the business) in the future.
I would defiantly go with a branded URL. I mean yeah it will help you for one
key word but if you are after a more long term strategy then it will only
hurt you when there are 4 others with similar names like
yourdomain.com
yourdomain.net
yourdomain.org
ect.
you will never stand out unless you want to manage one url for each keyword
and that is even more work.
Sonnysecure | Window Shopper |
7/24/2012 - 7:52 am
Go by the brand name, if you are having short terms goals, look for keyword
rich domain (having keywords in domain). But for how many keywords this
domain would work that is the questions. For long term and good results, one
should plan brand name as domain, if you have a product and you work on
getting your brand name popular then back links will come naturally..
I think a keyword rich domain name is important-even if it only provides a
little boost. Some other tips to keep in mind:
Consider only top-level domains of .com, .org, and .net. Dot com is
preferable.
Check auctions for domains with existing history and traffic that may be for
sale.
Use a name rich in keywords.
If choosing a name based on keywords, be sure to register your brand as well.
Make the name easy to remember.
Keep the name as short as possible.
Having your keyword in your domain still carries some weight but don't get to cockie and think that your unbeatable because new change require a low bounce rate, if your bounce rate is high your site will disapear from the rankings.
-Joseph
In my opinion, choosing keywords in a domain name is not so important anymore. Not to say no weights given, but the weight is not as high as before.A lot of things changed in SEO and building backlink slowly and steadily is the way to go for SEO
Choosing a domain name that is SEO friendly is one issue but more important is that the name is customer friendly. With some planning you can have both. The thing that bothers me the most is a long domain name that joins several words with no breaks.
I think that breaking the name by hyphens makes more sense as the domain name is easier to read. Assume you are on page one of a specific keyword. I believe that a multiword domain name with hyphens helps the buyer focus on the easier word to read. For example a domain name that can be read and has keywords in it that is in position 10 may get more clicks than a meaningless, non-keyword, non-hyphened keyword in position 4.
My domain name is www.sandtique-rare-prints.com. i think that it is easy to read and there is no question the purpose of the website.
What do you think?
I agree with you that if you can have a keyword or two in your domain name (without compromising the branding of your company) - that it can be beneficial for SEO reasons. I think the direct benefit is frequentlly quite small, but the indirect benefit is where I see the greater importance. If you have a keyword in your domain URL, you are more likely to accumulate backlinks that have the keyword in the anchor text. That indirect benefit, if leveraged properly, can be tremendously helpful.
Yeah! You need to be place keyword in domain. it affect your website as search engine crawl it. However, most of the domains are on the top that don't even has keyword so, you can bring site on top even if you don't have good domain name. :)
Unique content matters that's it
I would say having your key terms in your domain will have more of an effect in Yahoo and Bing compared to Google. Google;s algorithm does not seem to carry as much weight with the terms being in the URL.
JohnnyWW | Window Shopper | 7/25/2012 - 3:58 am
key word but if you are after a more long term strategy then it will only
hurt you when there are 4 others with similar names like
yourdomain.com
yourdomain.net
yourdomain.org
ect.
you will never stand out unless you want to manage one url for each keyword
and that is even more work.
Sonnysecure | Window Shopper | 7/24/2012 - 7:52 am
rich domain (having keywords in domain). But for how many keywords this
domain would work that is the questions. For long term and good results, one
should plan brand name as domain, if you have a product and you work on
getting your brand name popular then back links will come naturally..
conceptinet | Window Shopper | 7/23/2012 - 1:19 pm
little boost. Some other tips to keep in mind:
Consider only top-level domains of .com, .org, and .net. Dot com is
preferable.
Check auctions for domains with existing history and traffic that may be for
sale.
Use a name rich in keywords.
If choosing a name based on keywords, be sure to register your brand as well.
Make the name easy to remember.
Keep the name as short as possible.
joseph7384 | Performer | 10/5/2011 - 7:29 pm
alanthl | Performer | 10/5/2011 - 11:24 am
ariker | Window Shopper | 9/26/2011 - 4:49 pm
SANDTIQUE | Window Shopper | 9/24/2011 - 1:46 am
ablake | Performer | 9/23/2011 - 12:14 pm
manojcool65 | Performer | 8/4/2011 - 5:09 am
Kevrock529 | Window Shopper | 8/3/2011 - 10:42 am
Join The Discussion
You must be logged in to join the discussion. If you already have an SBA Community account, Log In to join the discussion.
New users, Register for a new account and join the conversation today!