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Hyphens vs Extra Word vs Extra Letters In Domains

by EricBaglio
12 replies
  • SEO
    • |
I know that EMD's are going to start receiving less weight from Google but they still do help in overall SEO. My question though is when you insert hyphens, extra words or extra letters, has anyone had more success with one over the other?

Here's an example:

Which if any would hold more weight and why?

niche-keyword-site.com (all hyphens)
nichekeyword-site.com (hyphen one word)
niche-keywordsite.com (hyphen one word)
nichekeywordsitex.com (extra letter)
nichekeywordsiteinfo.com (extra word)

Thanks,

I've ranked with a couple of these already but I haven't tried all of them so I was just wondering if someone out there has already.
#domains #extra #hyphens #letters #word
  • Profile picture of the author TolyZ
    I was just going to create a thread about this. I'm also wondering the same thing. Currently looking into purchasing 2-3 extra domains in my niche, but not sure which ones are better.
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  • Profile picture of the author mileagedriver
    Eric...first domain will make you reach good position. For more details go here: Promotion Tip: Are Hyphenated Domain Names A Good Buy?
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    • Profile picture of the author EricBaglio
      Originally Posted by mileagedriver View Post

      Eric...first domain will make you reach good position. For more details go here: Promotion Tip: Are Hyphenated Domain Names A Good Buy?
      Thanks. That is the one I think looks the nicest. Also thanks for the link. It was a good read.
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  • Profile picture of the author JSProjects
    I used to always recommend hyphens. But recently, there's been some opinion by 'experts' that Google is starting to look at these as spammy domains. (I've seen it pop up in a few threads here & elsewhere.) So now I can't really say for sure.

    Why not a .net, .org, etc, instead of adding additional letters or words?
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    • Profile picture of the author EricBaglio
      Originally Posted by JSProjects View Post

      I used to always recommend hyphens. But recently, there's been some opinion by 'experts' that Google is starting to look at these as spammy domains. (I've seen it pop up in a few threads here & elsewhere.) So now I can't really say for sure.

      Why not a .net, .org, etc, instead of adding additional letters or words?
      Thanks for the input JS. As for the .net/.org, they were already taken as well. I am targetting a specific niche product so I wanted a keyword rich domain.

      I've heard these are ways to cash in on some of the SEO benefits. I was just not sure which one has more weight if any.
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      "TAKE ACTION" is the first thing everyone tells you and then they leave it at that. I'll add a second part: TRACK EVERYTHING" - It's the only way to ensure your ACTION leads to results.

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  • Profile picture of the author Tony Shipp
    Depends on your intent. If you want branding or "word of mouth" traffic then eliminate the hyphens all together and even go with a generic name. But if you are getting your traffic from the serps then any of those domain variations will work.
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  • Profile picture of the author outwest
    If you have a brand, never use hypen
    I can only think you would want a hyphen since the non hyphenated is already taken

    Example
    CheapShoes.com taken
    you buy Cheap-shoes.com

    So anyone who was to remember your company names goes back to google
    Types in Cheapshoes.com
    you lose that business
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  • Profile picture of the author Bryan V
    I like:
    1. EMD.com/net/org
    2. EMD with 1 or 2 hyphens, just to get the .com

    Personally I don't like adding an "x" to the end or whatever letter, just because it looks spammy. The main point of the choices above is to be able to SELL the site later and not have someone turned off by it.

    In my experience of ranking results, it's simply too small of a difference to matter or even test unless you're trying to rank the sites without backlinking (which I do not do).
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  • Profile picture of the author imdomination
    If I can't get the EMD .com/.net/.org I will almost always try and add a word to the end of it and if that fails a letter. I prefer word though.
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    • Profile picture of the author outwest
      Originally Posted by imdomination View Post

      If I can't get the EMD .com/.net/.org I will almost always try and add a word to the end of it and if that fails a letter. I prefer word though.
      why? thats not an EMD any more
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  • Profile picture of the author EricBaglio
    Originally Posted by Brock Irish View Post

    Loving stop works compared to jsut hyphens or other extensions I might add.
    What is Loving stop?
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  • Profile picture of the author mikedex
    First one sounds good.
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