Singular or plural in domain name for branding?

14 replies
Just to be sure, I purchased both the singular and plural version of the domain name I wanted, but now I don't know which one to use, and which one to redirect to the other.

Let's assume one domain name is www.ThePerfectWoman.com and the other is www.ThePerfectWomen.com.

Which one would be better for branding, assuming the website's aim is to teach women how to be perfect. :p One addresses to a group, one just to a person.

Am I right to think I'm over-thinking this "issue"?
#branding #domain #plural #singular
  • Profile picture of the author fin
    I don't think the second one makes sense unless you're saying, "The 'perfect' women," so it would have to be the first one. IMO anyway.
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    • Profile picture of the author Lucian Lada
      Originally Posted by fin View Post

      I don't think the second one makes sense unless you're saying, "The 'perfect' women," so it would have to be the first one. IMO anyway.
      You're right, and it's my fault: the domain names I bought don't have "the" in them.
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      • Profile picture of the author fin
        Originally Posted by Lucian Lada View Post

        You're right, and it's my fault: the domain names I bought don't have "the" in them.
        In that case, I'd go with 'perfect women' because they would feel like they're in a team rather than on their own. But I'd probably keep the other one and redirect it.
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  • Profile picture of the author nitesh
    I will go with "theperfectwoman" and your choice shulld also be the same.
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  • Profile picture of the author kindsvater
    I would think the singular is better. A person is trying to better themselves. If it was a group or club then perhaps the plural to signify membership.

    .
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    • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
      In your example, you might have some branding challenges either way.

      PerfectWoman, to me, sounds like a dating site.

      PerfectWomen, to me, implies a different type of 'dating' site, maybe even mail-order brides.

      You said this was just an example, so I'll leave it to you to make the jump to the real names.
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      • Profile picture of the author Lucian Lada
        Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

        In your example, you might have some branding challenges either way.

        PerfectWoman, to me, sounds like a dating site.

        PerfectWomen, to me, implies a different type of 'dating' site, maybe even mail-order brides.

        You said this was just an example, so I'll leave it to you to make the jump to the real names.
        Yes, I know it was not the best choice of words.

        Let me give some examples more realistic:

        BusinessAnalyst.com vs
        BusinessAnalysts.com

        To be honest, I do have another domain name which describes the niche better, but the problem is that at 22 characters or 4 words, it's too long. I know it's not a problem for online article syndication, but what if I get published offline?
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        • Profile picture of the author MarketingMonk
          I'll go for 'ThePerfectWoman'. I mean, it sounds for more legit.
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        • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
          Originally Posted by Lucian Lada View Post

          Yes, I know it was not the best choice of words.

          Let me give some examples more realistic:

          BusinessAnalyst.com vs
          BusinessAnalysts.com

          To be honest, I do have another domain name which describes the niche better, but the problem is that at 22 characters or 4 words, it's too long. I know it's not a problem for online article syndication, but what if I get published offline?
          Different words, same problem.

          BusinessAnalyst brings to mind a service business which analyzes businesses.

          BusinessAnalysts brings to mind either a group of people who analyze businesses or perhaps a directory.

          Why do you believe 22 characters is too long?

          abcdefghijklmnopqrstuv - 22 characters.

          If it were me, I'd sacrifice the shorter domain name in favor of clarity.

          Offline publishers are not going to reject quality material because the domain in the byline is too long.

          Back in the very early days, domain length was a definite factor because their was a limit on how many characters could be in the domain name.

          If it takes you 22 characters and four words to give an accurate view of the website, that's the way I'd go rather than have people trying to figure it out and guessing wrong.
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          • Profile picture of the author Lucian Lada
            Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe View Post

            Offline publishers are not going to reject quality material because the domain in the byline is too long.
            I read on the forum that longer domains in print discourage people from typing it in a browser, so I could lose visitors. That's the only reason.

            But I think I'll just stick it with anyway, and see what happens.
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            • Profile picture of the author JohnMcCabe
              Originally Posted by Lucian Lada View Post

              I read on the forum that longer domains in print discourage people from typing it in a browser, so I could lose visitors. That's the only reason.

              But I think I'll just stick it with anyway, and see what happens.
              In some cases, that might be true. If you have some long string of keywords that makes no sense, it might have an effect.

              If your four words make sense, which means they will be easier to remember, you should be fine.
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  • Profile picture of the author Ephrils
    The addition of an S shouldn't mean anything in terms of SEO so I'd say it comes down to what the search volume shows people search for more and your own preference.
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  • Profile picture of the author Rbtmarshall
    redirect one domain to the other which you go with


    It would probably depend on how the information is geared. You already sort of answered the question yourself.
    "One addresses to a group, one just to a person."
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  • Profile picture of the author RobinInTexas
    I can see covering both bases, and the discussion is bouncing around depending on what seems a more natural fit for the context of the niche.

    Go with whatever you think is best, either your first inclination, or toss the idea around with friends over coffee, beer or lunch or here and pull the trigger. Don't over analyze it. Focus on one, and park the other just to keep it away from the competition.
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    ...Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just set there.
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