Should I change my domain name or not?

14 replies
When I first started in IM just over a year ago, I was told that having the domain name as your targeted keyword is not important. Now I am hearing otherwise.

My website has been up since February of this year and the domain name is very general. I was looking up domain names in namecheap and found a domain that is for sale with the keywords my website it trying to rank for. (but with dashes in between)

example

my-targeted-keyword.com

would it be better to keep the domain name the way it is or would it be better to transfer to the new domain? When I type into google the keywords I am trying to target, the #1 website is one that uses my keywords in the domain. It so happens to sell the same product that I do too.
#change #domain
  • Profile picture of the author cassidywilliams
    True that a domain name containing the keywords gives you ~25% increase in rankings.

    Whether to change or not depends on your current domain. How many backlinks have you built for it? If you have a ton, you could consider keeping the current one.

    As for the content, you can do a 301 permanent redirect so Google wouldn't consider it as duplicate content.
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    • Profile picture of the author Fraggler
      Originally Posted by cassidywilliams View Post

      True that a domain name containing the keywords gives you ~25% increase in rankings.
      25% (if even that) on only 1 keyword. Hopefully people are targeting more than 1 keyword on their website.

      A keyword rich domain name can be handy but branding can be more powerful.
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      • Profile picture of the author Kay King
        If you are selling one CB product and talking about "exact match" - are you planning to use the NAME of the product? If so, check trademarks to be certain you can use the product name.

        I seldom buy exact match domains - I want more flexibility than that as I might want to expand to more products or more subjects in the niche.

        kay
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  • Profile picture of the author JRCarson
    Hmmmm, why not buy the domain name and make a whole new website? Now you have 2 websites working for you!

    I have a lot of success with having keyword based domain names. Since it works well, I also have a lot of websites. I would recommend starting to think about not putting all eggs in one basket with 1 website. What happens if something goes wrong with it?

    Okay, to answer your question, I don't think changing the domain name is a good idea. If Google already has all your pages and content indexed and associated with your domain, then you would be confusing the issue by changing it.
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    • Profile picture of the author missyox
      I just did a search for backlinks on my site using yahoo site explorer. I have 19 links with the "except from this domain" marked.

      I really don't get why that is, because I have been submitting to article directories using the Article Marketing Robot for a few weeks now.
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    • Profile picture of the author lazy boy
      Originally Posted by JRCarson View Post

      Hmmmm, why not buy the domain name and make a whole new website? Now you have 2 websites working for you!

      I have a lot of success with having keyword based domain names. Since it works well, I also have a lot of websites. I would recommend starting to think about not putting all eggs in one basket with 1 website. What happens if something goes wrong with it?

      Okay, to answer your question, I don't think changing the domain name is a good idea. If Google already has all your pages and content indexed and associated with your domain, then you would be confusing the issue by changing it.
      I agree. I have had some experience with this and his advice is great.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ebay
    Banned
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    • Profile picture of the author JAMO
      I've been successful with both. My oldest site probably gets the most traffic and it does NOT have a keyword in the domain name. In my opinion, it does well because of it's age and the large amount of content.

      My other websites have the domain names in them and they ranked well faster, but for a smaller audience.

      I like the idea of JRCarson...having two websites. It also depends on how narrow you want to go and how much time/work you have invested in your current domain/website.
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    • Profile picture of the author missyox
      I don't know about having 2 websites with the same exact content. I have invested a lot of time to my website.....but I am worried about making two because of the duplicate content thing that google doesn't like.

      So would a 301 redirect be better? Would it be worth it with only 19 links to my site?

      Thanks for your suggestions so far
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  • Profile picture of the author kevinm777
    If it is a information site that uses adsense affiliate links domain name is not that important
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    • Profile picture of the author missyox
      Originally Posted by kevinm777 View Post

      If it is a information site that uses adsense affiliate links domain name is not that important

      I sell an information clickbank information product. I have no adsense.
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  • Profile picture of the author ahago
    Hi,
    You can fix the problem by create URL favourable to the keyword you try to target. this way will work, as many good domains have been taken.
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    • Profile picture of the author Jeff Henshaw
      There have been a number of issues raised here, some of them answered.

      I don't know about having 2 websites with the same exact content. I have invested a lot of time to my website.....but I am worried about making two because of the duplicate content thing that google doesn't like.
      Forget about the duplicate content issue, duplicate content exists all over the Internet. Just don't place two or more copies of the same article or content on any individual website.

      19 backlinks is nothing. Change the domain name and put a 301 redirect on the old one.
      Can I do that at the hosting site? hostgator?
      Yes you can. A word of warning though - do not host your domain names with the same service provider that provides your web hosting. It is far better to host your domain names with a separate provider and then point them to the servers of your web host.

      Both your domain and web host providers will explain how to do this.

      Just my thoughts,

      Jeff.
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