Hyphens in domain? What's the latest consensus?

Steve23 · 08-27-2011, 03:02 PM

I've been in maintenance mode for several months now, so I've decided to start building out some new sites. I already have my niche topics in mind, completed my keyword research, etc. Now I need to find a domain.

I'd like to have my keyword in the domain, but obviously finding an EMD is trickier these days, so I'm torn between a number of possibilities. I've planned out my next five topics. Most of these are 3 keyword phrase, ex. "one two three" and some are two word phrases, ex. "one two".

My niche is an information-type topic.

Here are some possibilities for domain names:

onetwo-three.org (or .com in come cases, I don't like .nets)

one-twothree.com

one-two.org

onetwothreeguide.com

onetwothreez.com

onetwoguide.com

onetwoz.com

I wasn't really a fan of hyphenated domains, but I'd heard it's not too big a deal when you only have one. I've also see a few of the two word domains like "one-two.com", ranking #1 or top 5. Then again, I've heard that G doesn't like hyphens as much since Panda. If you had a choice between these variations, which option do you feel would serve you best in trying to rank your site at the top of the SE's?

Thanks,
S

Steve23 · 08-28-2011, 06:16 AM

Anyone able to chime in here?

nichewebstrategies · 08-28-2011, 06:58 AM

From my experience, there is no difference. If I am targeting a keyword and I want that keyword in the domain I will see if the .com, .net or .org is available. If not, then I go to the hyphenated version of the keyword and will buy it if it is available. I only use .com, .net or .org though.

I've had no issues ranking them and/or selling them on Flippa later down the road.

Hope this helps.

-Brad

ExploringInfinity · 08-28-2011, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nichewebstrategies

From my experience, there is no difference. If I am targeting a keyword and I want that keyword in the domain I will see if the .com, .net or .org is available. If not, then I go to the hyphenated version of the keyword and will buy it if it is available. I only use .com, .net or .org though.

I've had no issues ranking them and/or selling them on Flippa later down the road.

Hope this helps.

-Brad

Yeah, there is not too much of a difference. I do both and all my sites rank about the same.

atomasini · 08-28-2011, 05:12 PM

I have a hyphenate domain that is climbing in the SERPs, slowly, but climbing. Doesn't seem to make any difference.

gtk29 · 08-28-2011, 05:20 PM

I think it does not matter any more. Google looks at the content now and not at the link like before.

36burrows · 08-28-2011, 05:21 PM

Only difference is if you'll be telling people your site, it makes it a pain trying to explain it to them.

Imagine if a radio ad was like "visit www.your-site-is-cool.com!"

You'd be like.....huh?

AprilCT · 08-28-2011, 05:35 PM

I don't like hyphenated domains. My feeling is that there is way too big a chance someone (actually a large bunch of someones) will forget to put them in and end up somewhere else.

Bulldozer · 08-28-2011, 05:40 PM

Yeah, a dash in the domain name makes things hard to spread by word of mouth.
Other than that, there is no difference for ranking a site in Google.

It would become a problem if you try to sell your site on Flippa.
I believe that most people stay away from sites with dashes in their domain. Most people still think a hyphen in the URL f*cks up their ranking or something.

08-28-2011, 06:16 AM	#2
Steve23 HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: , , . Posts: 192 Thanks: 65 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Hyphens in domain? What's the latest consensus? Anyone able to chime in here?

08-28-2011, 06:58 AM	#3
nichewebstrategies Reviewazon.com War Room Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 198 Thanks: 27 Thanked 31 Times in 25 Posts Social Networking	Re: Hyphens in domain? What's the latest consensus? From my experience, there is no difference. If I am targeting a keyword and I want that keyword in the domain I will see if the .com, .net or .org is available. If not, then I go to the hyphenated version of the keyword and will buy it if it is available. I only use .com, .net or .org though. I've had no issues ranking them and/or selling them on Flippa later down the road. Hope this helps. -Brad
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08-28-2011, 05:12 PM	#5
atomasini Warrior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 21 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Hyphens in domain? What's the latest consensus? I have a hyphenate domain that is climbing in the SERPs, slowly, but climbing. Doesn't seem to make any difference.

08-28-2011, 05:20 PM	#6
gtk29 HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 343 Thanks: 20 Thanked 20 Times in 20 Posts	Re: Hyphens in domain? What's the latest consensus? I think it does not matter any more. Google looks at the content now and not at the link like before.
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08-28-2011, 05:21 PM	#7
36burrows HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 457 Thanks: 131 Thanked 70 Times in 55 Posts Contact Info	Re: Hyphens in domain? What's the latest consensus? Only difference is if you'll be telling people your site, it makes it a pain trying to explain it to them. Imagine if a radio ad was like "visit www.your-site-is-cool.com!" You'd be like.....huh?
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08-27-2011, 03:02 PM	#1
Steve23 HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: , , . Posts: 192 Thanks: 65 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	Hyphens in domain? What's the latest consensus? I've been in maintenance mode for several months now, so I've decided to start building out some new sites. I already have my niche topics in mind, completed my keyword research, etc. Now I need to find a domain. I'd like to have my keyword in the domain, but obviously finding an EMD is trickier these days, so I'm torn between a number of possibilities. I've planned out my next five topics. Most of these are 3 keyword phrase, ex. "one two three" and some are two word phrases, ex. "one two". My niche is an information-type topic. Here are some possibilities for domain names: onetwo-three.org (or .com in come cases, I don't like .nets) one-twothree.com one-two.org onetwothreeguide.com onetwothreez.com onetwoguide.com onetwoz.com I wasn't really a fan of hyphenated domains, but I'd heard it's not too big a deal when you only have one. I've also see a few of the two word domains like "one-two.com", ranking #1 or top 5. Then again, I've heard that G doesn't like hyphens as much since Panda. If you had a choice between these variations, which option do you feel would serve you best in trying to rank your site at the top of the SE's? Thanks, S

08-28-2011, 05:35 PM	#8
AprilCT HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 284 Thanks: 90 Thanked 39 Times in 32 Posts	Re: Hyphens in domain? What's the latest consensus? I don't like hyphenated domains. My feeling is that there is way too big a chance someone (actually a large bunch of someones) will forget to put them in and end up somewhere else.

08-28-2011, 05:40 PM	#9
Bulldozer HyperActive Warrior Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 305 Thanks: 8 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Hyphens in domain? What's the latest consensus? Yeah, a dash in the domain name makes things hard to spread by word of mouth. Other than that, there is no difference for ranking a site in Google. It would become a problem if you try to sell your site on Flippa. I believe that most people stay away from sites with dashes in their domain. Most people still think a hyphen in the URL f*cks up their ranking or something.