Domain name, what's better for seo purposes.

[J smith]

Given how much search engines seem to value domain name (especially google) when it comes to serps. What's better a name1name2name3.net or name1-name2-name3.com name being keywords obviously.

I seem to remember reading that domain names with hyphens between keywords were penalized by google since people were using them way too much. But then in one of the niches I am in I see domains with hyphens ranks quite well.

So, in your experience which one should I go with?

[bannor32]

I don't believe that it matters for seo purposes. I think hyphens used to be better possibly because it made it easier for Google to distinguish between individual words but I don't think that is an issue any more. On the plus side it is easier to secure domains with hyphens. On the negative side if you are planning to flip the site at a later date a URL with hyphens in it will probably fetch a lower price.

[GeorgR.]

it still has some relevancy, but hyphens dont matter in terms of SEO, maybe only in terms of re-selling a domain since people dont like hyphenated names.

[djenyns]

Although they don't matter so much for seo purposes I still feel having the primary keyword in the domain adds value.

[SoundsGood]

Originally Posted by jkiley

Having a good domain name doesn't matter anymore.

That's not entirely true.

[Norma Holt]

Ken Evoy, who is a master at IM, recommends hyphens as it allows people to more easily read you name. I have used them in many of my domains and think they add character as well as a degree of style.

Norma

[Emmanuel Betinis]

Originally Posted by J smith

Given how much search engines seem to value domain name

Actually, they don't very much.

I wouldn't worry about that.

Keep moving forward - don't get distracted by a small detail like this (despite the fact it will help).

Originally Posted by J smith

I seem to remember reading that domain names with hyphens between keywords were penalized by google since people were using them way too much.

It's easy to be paranoid over small details like this when first starting out. Don't worry about it.

Originally Posted by J smith

So, in your experience which one should I go with?

It doesn't matter. Although if your website is going to be an AUTHORITY site that will be put on business cards and promoted by word of mouth, go withOUT the hyphen (easier to remember).

BUT if this domain in question is just for search engine traffic only, it does not matter which one you go with. Don't get distracted by this minor detail and keep moving forward.

[hangtimenino]

Originally Posted by jkiley

One thing though....you might want to think about name which has two upto sylables... this is not for search engines but for people. Having a really long domain name is not a good idea

I totally agree. people tend to remember the shorter domains, as compared to the two words. and characters i think are not very popular, because people are not familiar with them.

but seriously i dont think they would matter in SEO. its all about the contents this days, and how you market yourself out there.

[J smith]

Thanks for all your suggestions. Went with .net since that's what I've done before with good results, and I suppose no need to fix what isn't broken.

I'll disagree with most of you though in that I feel having the keywords I am going for as the domain name is incredibly helpful in seo. Sure you aren't getting to page 1 (or even anywhere close to it) for "make money online" because your site name is makemoneyonlinenow.com but for lower competition keywords, having them in domain name is often enough to get to page 1 with minimal work.

I love it when people say the domain name does not matter anymore..lol

J Smith,
Please for your own sake ignore that post that says domain names do not matter anymore. The fact is a domain name is your business, it's you bread and butter, it's your life.... I would say it matters a great deal.

This greatly depends upon what you want to use the name for also but you are best to always test within your niche. As just a suggestion though if you can get a short name with one keyphrase then it will help you a great deal more then using a long name. The reson being is what some posted above, if you plan on putting your domain name out in the real word it would be very hard to do if it was long and full of "-" this and "-" that.

Hyphens are actually ignored by the search engines pretty much, the keywords matter but breaking them up with hyphens will do nothing for SEO. What does is getting a short easy to remember domain name with a keyphrase and then making sure you have quality content, and seo your website..

James

[Mike Tompson]

Good domain name or easy name always has a competitive advantage. One thing for sure if you got a easy name it will be fixed the peoples head. And the first thing they will remember is your given name.

[mikaere]

hey guys well i have to say that there are some long tail names out there that are doing really well if you take grizz for example he has the name makemoneyforbeginners he has managed to put well known keywords into the name and hey any joe blog can remember that name and plus if you google just make money he is number one and has been for a while, and the fact that everyone has thrased the hell out of one word domain names...

Originally Posted by mikaere

hey guys well i have to say that there are some long tail names out there that are doing really well if you take grizz for example he has the name makemoneyforbeginners he has managed to put well known keywords into the name and hey any joe blog can remember that name and plus if you google just make money he is number one and has been for a while, and the fact that everyone has thrased the hell out of one word domain names...

That is because he has learned that "-" does not mean anything + yeah it is a little long but easy to remember..lol

James