Domain Names: Is there a pecking order?

12 replies
  • SEO
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I'm sure this has been hashed over 100's of times, but when I did a search, more than 500 threads came up.

It's not that I'm lazy, and don't want to do the reading, it's just late, and I'm tired

While you're searching for keywords, which would you prefer, or which is better?

Assuming a 3 or 4 word domain, and the top levels are gone. Is there a pecking order to follow? And if so, what is the proper pecking order?

DomainDomainDomain.biz
domain-domain-domain.com

DomainDomainDomainDomain.biz
domain-domain-domain-domain.com

I've found some good keywords where the .com, .net, and .org are gone and not even showing up in the search results, but the domain-domain-domain.com is available.

Just looking for some more experienced answers.

Thank you
#domain #names #opinion #order #pecking
  • Profile picture of the author Tasso Pepi
    Hey there...

    When choosing domain names, I like to use .com
    I tend to go for www.nameofmysite.com

    Instead of www.name-of-my-site.com
    I tend to find looking at the results of the 2nd example in the search engine results tends to look a bit less professional then the first example..

    I hope this helps..

    tas
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  • Profile picture of the author Digital Traffic
    What do you do when all your research says buy the domain, and your only options are:

    domaindomaindomain.biz
    or
    domain-domain-domain.com
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  • Profile picture of the author frqhuss
    Originally Posted by Digital Traffic View Post

    I'm sure this has been hashed over 100's of times, but when I did a search, more than 500 threads came up.

    It's not that I'm lazy, and don't want to do the reading, it's just late, and I'm tired

    While you're searching for keywords, which would you prefer, or which is better?

    Assuming a 3 or 4 word domain, and the top levels are gone. Is there a pecking order to follow? And if so, what is the proper pecking order?

    DomainDomainDomain.biz
    domain-domain-domain.com

    DomainDomainDomainDomain.biz
    domain-domain-domain-domain.com

    I've found some good keywords where the .com, .net, and .org are gone and not even showing up in the search results, but the domain-domain-domain.com is available.

    Just looking for some more experienced answers.

    Thank you

    If .com is not avialable than its always better to go for .net because it too have a good value in search engine...Try It


    Thanks "FrqHuss"

    Quick Easy Safe & Healthy Weight Loss Tips
    Credit Cards, Refinance, Home, Personal Loans
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  • Profile picture of the author bgmacaw
    For SEO purposes, it doesn't matter, what matters is relevant incoming links matched with algorithmically readable and relevant content on the site. See my 2000 word article on the subject for more details: Earn Online Cash with .Info Domains

    Having an exact keyword match domain name can help with SEO but it's not the "be all, end all" either. You can rank without having the keyword in the domain name as long as you can get the right links.

    For branding purposes, reselling sites and such, it's best to have a .com without hyphens in most cases. Just make sure that the word combo you pick doesn't have a double meaning like expertsexchange.com or penisland.com. In those cases, use a hyphen.
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  • Profile picture of the author Digital Traffic
    There we go. Now this is the kind of information I was looking for.

    I'm still looking for some more opinions.

    So, this is sort of the pecking order should one exist?

    .com
    .net
    .org
    domain-domain.com
    .info
    domain-domain.net
    domain-domain-org
    .biz
    domain-domain-domain.com
    domain-domain.info
    domain-domain-domain.net
    domain-domain-domain.org
    and so forth......

    Assuming one is using the domain for that extra .0001% of SEO juice.

    Finally, what about foreign extensions if it is an exact match domain, would the logic of quality backlinks and content still hold true here? What is your ranking experience here?

    I'm referring to the, .cc .tv .fm .us .me extensions
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    • Profile picture of the author bgmacaw
      Originally Posted by Digital Traffic View Post

      So, this is sort of the pecking order should one exist?
      For purely SEO purposes, there is no 'pecking order', what matters is links and content that matches the link anchors. Having an exact keyword match domain helps some as well but doesn't guarantee success.

      One reason that a .com/.net/.org will usually rank better is age. Of course, these domain name extensions (along with .mil and .gov) were established in 1985. If a domain has an established web site that has aged authority links pointing to it, it will be tough to beat. However, if the .com domain has been parked and never developed, then the playing field will be level in SEO terms.

      There are human factors involved as well that will make a .com a better choice for flagship sites. These don't having anything to do with SEO directly, it's a computer algorithm, but it can make a difference how people interact with your site.
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      • Profile picture of the author Digital Traffic
        Originally Posted by bgmacaw View Post

        For purely SEO purposes, there is no 'pecking order', what matters is links and content that matches the link anchors. Having an exact keyword match domain helps some as well but doesn't guarantee success.

        One reason that a .com/.net/.org will usually rank better is age. Of course, these domain name extensions (along with .mil and .gov) were established in 1985. If a domain has an established web site that has aged authority links pointing to it, it will be tough to beat. However, if the .com domain has been parked and never developed, then the playing field will be level in SEO terms.

        There are human factors involved as well that will make a .com a better choice for flagship sites. These don't having anything to do with SEO directly, it's a computer algorithm, but it can make a difference how people interact with your site.

        Ok, so I'm starting to understand. Now I have another question.

        Couldn't you in theory then, out rank most weak domains, that are poorly optimized and SEOed, with just a highly targeted, and optimized, title tag, header tag, meta description utilized, content driven page with anchor text linked backlinks, from within a site you already own?

        I'm not even sure I understand what I just said, but it sort of made sense while I was typing it.
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  • Profile picture of the author JamesM
    Persoy I'd avoid .biz and .info if at all possible, simply from a branding point of view.
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    • Profile picture of the author Digital Traffic
      Originally Posted by JamesM View Post

      Persoy I'd avoid .biz and .info if at all possible, simply from a branding point of view.

      I'm not looking to brand anything. What I'm trying to do is get my domain in the top 3 positions for the search phrase I'm targeting.

      Once there, assuming someone clicks on my result, I'm hoping my content and advertisers will entice them to click. Aren't we all!!!

      What I'm wondering, is if all the top levels are gone the .com .net .org etc... What is your next step in the level of progression?

      I'm finding domains where domain.info, and domain.biz are available, and the top three domain.com, domain.net, and domain.org don't even rank for that term, either because of poor content, they are simply a one page landing site, or they haven't been optimized properly with any SEO, or backlinks.

      If they do rank, it is like result 5 or 6 by default, because they have only the one page, or maybe 3, and have never been optimized. The ones I'm looking at don't even use the phrase in their title tag, header tag, or meta description, with zero, or less than 10 backlinks.

      Seems to me if you own the domain your momma.com, sorry mom, and have no backlinks, don't use "your momma" in the title tag, header tag, or meta description, and I own the domain, "do elephants really fart".biz, but I have it fully optimized for the phrase "your Momma" with title tags, header tags, meta descriptions, unique content related to "your momma" and 200 plus backlinks pointing to that page, that my site would out rank yours.

      That's the part I'm trying to understand
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  • Profile picture of the author azland55
    Just make sure your keywords are buying keywords and not search or information keywords.
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    • Profile picture of the author Digital Traffic
      Originally Posted by azland55 View Post

      Just make sure your keywords are buying keywords and not search or information keywords.
      Another thread of it's own I suppose.

      Hard to determine the intent of a searcher.

      But, I understand the concept.

      Like "foot blisters," or "what causes foot blisters," would be an informational types of keywords?

      And "foot blister treatments," or "foot blister socks," would be buying keywords?
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