10 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}
10 {{ upvoteCount | shortNum }}

[name].net vs [name]hq.com: Will one hurt me significantly more?

by Tim555
8 replies
I'm about to begin work on a niche, review site where I will use Amazon and probably another affiliate as sources of income. I'm hoping to make at least $300 a month off of it in the near future.

I bought two domains. One with the name and then ".net" and another with the same name and "hq.com." The ".com" version is not available and it's selling price is astronomical.

In your opinion, is one preferable over the other?
#affiliate #domain #namehqcom #namenet #niche
  • Profile picture of the author ksummers
    From a visitor viewpoint a .com would be easier to remember. Plus the general consensus is that a .com ranks better.
    Then again there are some popular sites with alternatives like .org in the acne niche
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9508547].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
      Banned
      I'm not sure there are any circumstances under which I'd want to build a business on a domain-name of which the .com variant already belonged to someone else (whether they're using it or not).

      Originally Posted by ksummers View Post

      Plus the general consensus is that a .com ranks better.
      There's no such consensus at all. All international top-level domains are exactly the same for ranking purposes. Google has been saying so, loudly, clearly and consistently ever since I've been online (and it's true, too). A few people imagine that .com's rank better just because they see more of them at the top of Google's SERP's. The true reasons for that are (a) so many more of them have been registered, and (b) most commercial sites use .com's, and they tend to be the people who want do SEO. If they used a .info site, instead, that would rank just as well - and indeed some of them do.

      .
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9508592].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    Honestly i would go with ".net". As long as you have great content and a big (legit) email list that loves your information... you can lead them to whatever page on your site that you want them to. Don't rely on a prospect "remembering" your website address. That's like trusting an ex-wife to put your drink in the refrigerator.

    YOU lead them there. DIRECT MARKETING.
    Signature
    ==>> Free book reveals make money with affiliate marketing
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9508921].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author anaef
      According to this post, .net may be preferable SEO-wise. But even if true, this is just one signal out of many.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9511094].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author blitzbc
    Split test. I would go with both and test which one brings in more traffic. After a year, you will know without a doubt which one to keep. If you are driving massive traffic that is converting to both, then keep them both. It would be worth the $12 a year if you are making money from them both.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9511183].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
    Originally Posted by Tim555 View Post

    I bought two domains. One with the name and then ".net" and another with the same name and "hq.com." The ".com" version is not available and it's selling price is astronomical.
    Listen to Alexa. If someone has the .com, you don't want to use the .net because there are people that will default to the .com rather than .net.

    And keywordhq.com is not a good, memorable name. Plus, it sounds like something a marketer would use, and not something someone building an actual authority site would prefer.

    I'd look for alternatives.
    Signature

    Dan's content is irregularly read by handfuls of people. Join the elite few by reading his blog: dcrBlogs.com, following him on Twitter: dcrTweets.com or reading his fiction: dcrWrites.com but NOT by Clicking Here!

    Dan also writes content for hire, but you can't afford him anyway.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9511229].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author troy23
    Better to go for .com as that's what people are more familiar with, but neither will hurt your rankings.
    I rank both well without any issues.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9512199].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author LuckyIMer
    You made a mistake not going for the .com and I suggest you go for the .com. As for your question, .net is better than hq.com.
    Signature
    Increase Sales With These Business Consulting Tips !
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9514879].message }}

Trending Topics