8 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
8 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

Questions regarding keywords in domain

by satrap
6 replies
Before I get started I just want to mention that I know that keyword in domain isn't everything. I have experienced it first hand. I have a blog named blogstash.com. One of my keywords is best ways to make money online (big competition). I still managed to rank #2 on Google (It wasn't easy, I worked very hard since I started this blog 10/11 months ago). But, I am thinking about starting a new site. And I am just wondering how it all works. So, thats why I need some help. Can someone shed some light on using keywords in domain and its importance and effects on SEO please.



I'll use an examples to make it easier for me to explain and for you to understand.

My keyword= ways to make money online

waystomakemoneyonline.com, .net, .org and other extensions already taken.

I really really want to have my keywords in the domain.

So, I add a word or number to the whole thing, so I can get an available domain. Like 10WaysToMakeMoneyOnline.comor MyWasyToMakeMoneyOnline.com. Does this have the same effects as having the exact keywords in domain? Say someone has searched for ways to make money online. If you had the exact keyword in domain, you would be shown on the first page #2. Now, lest say everything is the same, the only difference is that you have an extra word or number or what have you in your domain. Would the searched see your site in the same position or not?

Another thing that is confusing me, although its almost the same question as the first one is:

I have heard over and over that although keywords in domain might not have direct effect on SEO, indirectly it can help. When people are linking to your site, since your domain is your keyword, you get the benefit of anchor text link, which helps your rank better for that keyword. When linking to a website (using the website name) most people use the complete address like yourdomain.com. So, if that .com is there, than your not really getting an anchor text link with your keywords, or ar you...? Which brings me to another question:
You have a link pointing to your site with your keywords (example) ways to make money online, does that backlink somehow counts for make money online or ways to make money as well? I dont know if my question makes sense or not, I hope it does. If not, Ill try to explain more clearly.

I am sorry for all the questions. I am just really trying to understand it all. Thank you all in advance. Please feel free to add or explain other things that might be important, but I didn't ask(since I dont know much about it)LoL! Thank you.
#domain #keywords #questions
  • Profile picture of the author ArticlePrince
    As long as the keyword is intact in the domain, it will help. However, you probably won't get the keyword boost from backlinks (from others) because it will be "www.10waystokeyword.com" instead of just "keyword" being the link... I hope that makes sense :-/
    Signature
    FREE 500 word articles, PM me for yours!
    (4 days only!)
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2446637].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author SEO Enlightenment
    I'm getting your site as #3 now (for 'best ways to make money online'). Interesting, the #1 spot is a domain called 101waystomakemoney.com.

    You ever use any tools to study the anchor text of competitor backlinks?

    You've already put a lot of effort into this - I'm not so sure I would run out and grab a new domain name just yet.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2446668].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author satrap
    Originally Posted by persona_grata View Post

    Perhaps other alternative keywords may help, like "easy ways to make money online". Adding is fine, and the content would need to be more relevant the keyword of your choice.
    Think from the perspective of the Web surfer. I think you can get new ideas if people close other roads down.
    Or you can try to find expired domains bearing in mind the keyword of your choice. Going through the rubble is a good way to find treasure.
    Thanks for the response. Yeah, I have thought about other related keywords, but, I was just wondering about using extra words and characters.



    Originally Posted by ArticlePrince View Post

    As long as the keyword is intact in the domain, it will help. However, you probably won't get the keyword boost from backlinks (from others) because it will be "www.10waystokeyword.com" instead of just "keyword" being the link... I hope that makes sense :-/
    Yes, it does make sense. And thats why I am confused when people say if someone links to your sit, having keywords in domain gives you automatic backlinks with your keywords as the anchor text. Thank you.

    Originally Posted by SEO Enlightenment View Post

    I'm getting your site as #3 now (for 'best ways to make money online'). Interesting, the #1 spot is a domain called 101waystomakemoney.com.

    You ever use any tools to study the anchor text of competitor backlinks?

    You've already put a lot of effort into this - I'm not so sure I would run out and grab a new domain name just yet.
    I am sorry, I forgot to mention that I rank #3 for Best ways to make money online and #2 for Best way to make money online.

    I dont use any specific tools. I simply try to get backlinks from those sites on the top if possible. And I actually have a backlink from the home page of the 101waystomakemoney.com.



    Thank you for your advice about sticking to the one blog. But, I am not actually creating a site in the same niche. This question and the keywords used here were just examples, so I could explain it easier.




    Thank you all for taking the time to respond. I would appreciate any other comment as well. Thank you.
    Signature
    60 Awesome Ways to Make Money Without a Job
    .................................
    Check out my blog Survey Satrap featuring honest reviews of paid survey sites.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2446733].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Michael Field-Dodgson
    Basically every little bit helps!

    I have had experience where a domain I have does not relate to my keywords very well but I did a fair bit of effort with my seo and it still ranked well.

    You know if you get good backlinks like authority links or .org, .edu then this gives you a boost.

    I would try and keep as much as the "stuff" that you know will help your ranking in the recipe, but I wouldn't sweat too much if your domain was a bit weak in keywords.

    Hope this helps.
    Signature

    AND there's no such thing as a free lunch!!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2446756].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author satrap
      Originally Posted by alamin_reb View Post

      Actually keyword domain works superb and keyword domain don't work at all. Well let me explain. . . Your keyword domain will work best only when your content is totally similar with your keyword domain. Suppose you want to buy a domain like easywaytoearn.com and there you write only content related with earn easy money. And another people use myblog.com and he also write easy ways to earn money with keyword rich article. Which domain will get high rank? Actually both will get good rank. But the keyword domain will get better rank then myblog.com so it's all about similarity. If you can supply content related to your keyword domain just then go for it. Oh and yes try to use exactly same keyword in your domain even if you need to use hyphen
      Thanks for your help. But, you are making an "obvious" point! Of course, if I pick a domain like "making money online", my content will be about making money online. I mean why else would you pick a domain if your content isn't going to be related to it...? Thanks anyway.



      Originally Posted by Michael Field-Dodgson View Post

      Basically every little bit helps!

      I have had experience where a domain I have does not relate to my keywords very well but I did a fair bit of effort with my seo and it still ranked well.

      You know if you get good backlinks like authority links or .org, .edu then this gives you a boost.

      I would try and keep as much as the "stuff" that you know will help your ranking in the recipe, but I wouldn't sweat too much if your domain was a bit weak in keywords.

      Hope this helps.
      Thank you for your response. As I explained, with my own blog, I am ranking #2 and #3 for some of the top online money making keywords, but my domain doesn't contain any of those keywords at all. I know good backlinks helps, but my question isn't about backlinks. I am just trying to understand the keyword in domain thing and the effects it might have on over all performance of your site specially when it comes to SEO.

      Thank you all for your responses. I would appreciate any other comments. Thanks.
      Signature
      60 Awesome Ways to Make Money Without a Job
      .................................
      Check out my blog Survey Satrap featuring honest reviews of paid survey sites.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2455859].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author ausmarketer
    Hi satrap, in my experience an exact match domain i.e. waystomakemoneyonline.com .org .net is superior to waystomakemoneyonline + extra word.com .org .net, all other things being equal of course.

    Exact match domains are one of the few remaining loop holes to getting on the front page of Google without needing a lot of backlinks, particularly for lower competition phrases. There's no secret there.

    That being said, there is definitely SEO advantages to using domain names with your primary keyword + an extra word. I've proven this myself time and time again.

    Provided the complete keyword is within the phrase, there is an SEO 'edge' / advantage there. It just may take a few more back links (and some time) to outrank the exact match domain. But that certainly wouldn't deter me if the market looked promising.

    In reality, an exact match domain (while ideal) will only take you so far on it's own. You also need backlinks, unique content and time, as we all well know.

    In regards to your question about anchor text, it is my opinion that only links written as a keyword phrase i.e. 'ways to make money online' will help you rank for that keyword phrase, as opposed to www-waystomakemoneyonline.com. However, that is just my opinion and I could well be wrong.

    In regards to keyword combinations within the anchor text phrase carrying weight such as 'make money online' within 'ways to make money online', it has been my experience that they do carry weight. In fact, it has proven beneficial to mix up your anchor text in this way as it appears more natural to the search engines.

    Hope this helps. Again, this is all just my opinion based on my own experience and I am just one person. Who knows what algo changes tomorrow will bring???
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2455941].message }}

Trending Topics