Would I rank better with dog-trainingtips.net or dog-training-tips.net

Samuel Baker

14 years ago

Wouldn't know the exact answer but I would say the second option with hypens between each word!

Thanks
1 reply

Signature

SWTOR Leveling Guides
Bioware SWTOR

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2184731].message }}

Rob Hall

14 years ago

Hmm,

I think both are really low quality domain names in terms of SEO value to be brutally honest.

They're also both low quality in terms of remember-ability.

Google doesn't like those hyphens, it's obviously a domain that's trying to reap the values of SEO.

You really need a hyphen free domain. Even if you add an extra word for example 'mydogtrainingtips.com', that would provide much better ranking value for "dog training tips" than any of those domains you've specified.

[ 1 ] Thanks
1 reply

Signature

Create an automated news aggregation website with PHP RSS Reader, click here.

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2184780].message }}

abnation

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Rob Hall

Hmm,

I think both are really low quality domain names in terms of SEO value to be brutally honest.

They're also both low quality in terms of remember-ability.

Google doesn't like those hyphens, it's obviously a domain that's trying to reap the values of SEO.

You really need a hyphen free domain. Even if you add an extra word for example 'mydogtrainingtips.com', that would provide much better ranking value for "dog training tips" than any of those domains you've specified.

Yes, "mydogtrainingtips" is quite a lot better than "dog-training-tips" or similar domains. However, I don't actually believe that the hyphenated version is despised by Google. The reason why a lot of SEO guides advice against using hyphens is probably readability rather than SEO advantage.

[ 1 ] Thanks
1 reply

Signature

The Automator - PRE LAUNCH - Automation Everywhere!

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2184840].message }}

Rob Hall 14 years ago

I believe that's exactly why Google would not attribute any additional qualities to the domain name. In general a hyphenated domain would only be used when the non-hyphenated domain is not available.

In my experience I can't really recall a hyphenated domain ranking exceptionally well for any competitive terms - this might not be the case though.

I appreciate what you say and it may be the case.
- Thanks
Signature

Create an automated news aggregation website with PHP RSS Reader, click here.
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2184923].message }}

actionplanbiz

14 years ago

if your gonna use the hyphen then i would just use it between each word. better for people to remember your domain name

Thanks

Signature

My $3,000 a Month
Fast List Building Action Plan

"1 Simple Method to Make $100 a Day"

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2184806].message }}

markbyrne

14 years ago

I've taken a site with a single hyphen to page one (a .org) in under 48hrs, and steady after one week. The thing is, the more hyphens you have, the less credibility you get from both real and virtual visitors. Rob makes a very good point there too.

Thanks
1 reply

Signature

Want a stable business in the craft niche? Get started with our MYLAR stencils! UK seller, and made in the UK!

http://ebay.eu/1WQv9W3

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2184961].message }}

abnation

14 years ago

Originally Posted by markbyrne

I've taken a site with a single hyphen to page one (a .org) in under 48hrs, and steady after one week. The thing is, the more hyphens you have, the less credibility you get from both real and virtual visitors. Rob makes a very good point there too.

It does sound pretty likely yeah...

Thanks

Signature

The Automator - PRE LAUNCH - Automation Everywhere!

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2185003].message }}

Zeb

14 years ago

No hyphens would be the way to go. Saw an example above "mydogtrainingtips". Instead of putting the extra letters in front, try to get the extra letters at the back. Example : dogtrainingtipsnow etc...It seems that G prefers the main keyword to be in front.

Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2185078].message }}

veotis 14 years ago

Go to Google and type in build yahoo store. You'll see a hyphenated domain outranking Yahoo.

So, the best thing to do is test. I have some hyphenated domains ranking #1, but you can't rank well with a hyphenated domain...
- Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2188532].message }}

James Fried

14 years ago

I try to stay away from hyphenated domains as a general rule. I would head in the direction of edogtrainingtips.com before I would go down the hyphen route.

If you have to use hyphens, I would agree that the best way is to include a hyphen between all of the words so at least it is simpler for the reader.

Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2188694].message }}

Boris_yo 14 years ago

Google treats hyphens like word separators. If you cannot get exact match domain, then i suggest getting a hyphenated domain name.
- Thanks
{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2194031].message }}

Trent Brownrigg

14 years ago

I had a hyphenated domain (with 4 hyphens) ranked in the top 10 for many very competitive keywords... home business, home based business, work at home jobs, make money at home, and hundreds of others. Actually it still is ranked there for most of them but I no longer own the site. Sold it last year.

My point is that yes you can do just fine with hyphenated domains. But I do recommend getting one without hyphens if you can.

Thanks

Signature

You can find internet marketing strategies, SEO consulting, and tons of business advice at BAM!

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2194170].message }}

robmena

14 years ago

This is the way to go trust me we SEO sites all the time.

dog-training-tips.net

Thanks
1 reply

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2194453].message }}

paulgl

14 years ago

These arguments are so silly.
I searched for dog training tips and lo and behold:
dog-obedience-training-review.com
Comes up numero uno. Can we kill these myths?
That even kills the stupidity of the no hyphen argument!

It doesn't matter what your friggin domain is!

SEO is what you do TO your site. If people actually did that,
instead of looking for some magic formula, this forum would be
filled with success stories instead of those who swear they
should be #1 but the big bad google got 'em!

Paul

Thanks
2 replies

Signature

If you were disappointed in your results today, lower your standards tomorrow.

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2194609].message }}

robmena

14 years ago

Your domain name can matter and does. Not to say you have to have the name in the domain to rank for it, but it makes things alot easier, we see it all the time with our clients. And in reality you can have the best optimized site, but if your not doing the off page factors it means nothing. I'd take off page factors any day and wouldn't have to optimize a website to rank keywords for it. Thats why you see keywords come up with sites that don't have one mention of it on the site. Of course both are good to have.

Originally Posted by paulgl

These arguments are so silly.
I searched for dog training tips and lo and behold:
dog-obedience-training-review.com
Comes up numero uno. Can we kill these myths?
That even kills the stupidity of the no hyphen argument!

It doesn't matter what your friggin domain is!

SEO is what you do TO your site. If people actually did that,
instead of looking for some magic formula, this forum would be
filled with success stories instead of those who swear they
should be #1 but the big bad google got 'em!

Paul

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2233222].message }}

cableghost

13 years ago

Originally Posted by paulgl

These arguments are so silly.
I searched for dog training tips and lo and behold:
dog-obedience-training-review.com
Comes up numero uno. Can we kill these myths?
That even kills the stupidity of the no hyphen argument!...Paul

This is funny. What truly matters to G about this domain ranking so well is the 2,500 backlinks the page has, not the domain name.

Another example I had found one time is iloveindia.com. This site is a directory and many of the topics, such as Bathroom decor, rank well, and the content is not unique. It is about SEM, not SEO that will get your site ranked.

-Scott

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2853438].message }}

Colton

14 years ago

This may sound crazy but I saw something the other day where a guy said if the main keyword you were going for was taken then use dogtrainingtipsdotcom.com. I thought that was insane until I saw proof of his #1 ranking for a big time keyword.

Thanks
2 replies

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2233243].message }}

shaggard

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Colton

This may sound crazy but I saw something the other day where a guy said if the main keyword you were going for was taken then use dogtrainingtipsdotcom.com. I thought that was insane until I saw proof of his #1 ranking for a big time keyword.

I think ths just goes to show domain name is ALWAYS outweighed by good backlinks, content and site SEO.

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2233486].message }}

Crew Chief

14 years ago

Originally Posted by Rob Hall

Hmm,

I think both are really low quality domain names in terms of SEO value to be brutally honest.

They're also both low quality in terms of remember-ability.

Google doesn't like those hyphens, it's obviously a domain that's trying to reap the values of SEO.

You really need a hyphen free domain. Even if you add an extra word for example 'mydogtrainingtips.com', that would provide much better ranking value for "dog training tips" than any of those domains you've specified.

Google doesn't like hyphens???

You can't rank well with a hyphenated name?

Where is everyone getting this information?

Google these keywords, no quotes and then scan the first page of the SERP.

Self help - Self-Help is #1!
Make money on the internet - Make Money On The Internet is #7
Lose weight fast - How To Lose Weight Fast - Get Toned and Burn Fat is #7
Marketing strategies - Internet Marketing Strategies - Three Step Formula is #9
Dating sites free - Free Dating Sites - Links To Totally Free Online Dating Services is #10
Dating sites for seniors - Reviews of the Best Senior Dating Sites is #2
Asian dating - ASIAN DATING , ASIAN BRIDES , ASIAN SINGLES , ASIAN WOMEN , ASIAN GIRLS , Thai Girls is #4
Learning styles - Learning Styles Online.com - including a free inventory is #3 and #4
Learning styles - VARK -- A Guide to Learning Styles is #9
Cell phone lookup - Free Cell Phone Directory | Cell Phone Lookup & Reverse Cell Phone Lookup is #7

The takeaway here is, IM requires that you do your homework. That means before you form a belief, make sure that it is founded on in depth research and not opinion.

You can take ANY domain name, (and it doesn't have to be keyword rich) and dominate the SERPs if you are up on your On Page SEO and Off Page SEO. In the examples that I showed, all of those keyword phrases are highly contested.

You can dominate the SERPs with .biz, .us, co.cc, hyphenated domains, sub domains, .org, and .net. Again, it's based on your SEO skills.

Originally Posted by Rob Hall

I believe that's exactly why Google would not attribute any additional qualities to the domain name. In general a hyphenated domain would only be used when the non-hyphenated domain is not available.

In my experience I can't really recall a hyphenated domain ranking exceptionally well for any competitive terms - this might not be the case though.

I appreciate what you say and it may be the case.

I just gave you some examples and could show you plenty more.

Originally Posted by paulgl

These arguments are so silly.
I searched for dog training tips and lo and behold:
dog-obedience-training-review.com
Comes up numero uno. Can we kill these myths?
That even kills the stupidity of the no hyphen argument!

It doesn't matter what your friggin domain is!

SEO is what you do TO your site. If people actually did that,
instead of looking for some magic formula, this forum would be
filled with success stories instead of those who swear they
should be #1 but the big bad google got 'em!

Paul

This man speaks the truth! And if you're looking for the secret magic formula used by the most successful IMers, here it is:

In the trenches SEO work, On Page and Off Page!

Originally Posted by Colton

This may sound crazy but I saw something the other day where a guy said if the main keyword you were going for was taken then use dogtrainingtipsdotcom.com. I thought that was insane until I saw proof of his #1 ranking for a big time keyword.

There are people who do that, true enough. Mike Filsame does it with https://paydotcom.com/

And I could show you a ton of other domains that use other modifiers. Again, its based on your SEO skills and not some magic formula... and as some have eluded to, Google doesn't evaluate and compare domain names and rank your domain above mine because mine's has hyphens or other modifiers.

The only caveat with hyphens is the number of hyphens. Matt Cutts did say that a certain number of hyphens and a domain takes on the appearance of being spam.

The bottom line; if you learn to master SEO, you can outrank any site with effort and time no matter what domain name you have.

Giles, the Crew Chief

[ 1 ] Thanks

Signature

Tools, Strategies and Tactics Used By Savvy Internet Marketers and SEO Pros:

ProSiteFlippers.com We Build Monetization Ready High-Value Virtual Properties

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2233608].message }}

Aira Bongco

14 years ago

I guess there is a heated argument between pro and anti hyphens in here.

Anyway, my advice is to buy the domain that you feel is right. Then make it up by providing lots of optimized backlinks to your domain. Offpage optimization is always more important.

Thanks

Signature

3-Day Get Clients Challenge Happening on September 25th, 2020

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2233541].message }}

Groovystar

14 years ago

Hey if you want to rank high for "click here" the best name is "Adobe.com" XD

...my point? The domain name is probably a very small factor in ranking.

Thanks

{{ DiscussionBoard.errors[2234365].message }}

Would I rank better with dog-trainingtips.net or dog-training-tips.net

Trending Topics

A healthy fascination for Hollywood...

How did you turn it all around?

Any thoughts on golf's latest phenom...Scottie Scheffler??

best high quality crypto traffic.

What's the Best IM-Related Skill to Learn Today That Can Help in the Future?