Pros and cons to using dash marks in domain

by 17 replies
21
If I were wanting to purchase a domain with say three separate words in it e.g. bigbluebirdcage.com, are there any advantages or disadvantages to putting dashes between the words e.g. big-blue-birdcage.com? It seems like it might be easier to read to a searcher, but do the search engines like it? Thanks.
#main internet marketing discussion forum #cons #dash #domain #marks #pros
  • To the search engines it makes NO difference... The only disadvantage is that people have to type a longer domain name when you have dashes and there's always that chance that someone might type in your domain without dashes and end up at your competitor's site...

    Best,
    Shane
  • PROS:
    You get the keywords you want
    Easy to read

    CONS:
    It looks crap
    Looks unprofessional
    Hard to explain in videos
    Hard to type in

    Basically I try and avoid them. I still own many, and if you're using it for a small affiliate site that relies on SEO then it doesnt really matter. But I think if you're building an authority site or something that can be branded, go the extra mile and find a good unhyphenated domain.

    That's what I reckon anyway, looking forward to seeing some more replies!
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
    • [2] replies
    • Great info Toby!

      I own many websites and have never had to use a hyphenated domain but as Toby and others have said, it makes no difference to the search engines. If I need certain keywords in the domain and the un-hyphenated domain is not available, I would use them with no issue.
    • A perfect answer! I no longer use them either if I can at all avoid them.

      Will
      • [1] reply
  • Pros:
    - If the domain is registered without hyphens, it may be available with hyphens - this is good because you can still get a good domain name with all keywords in it
    - IMO easier for the user to read it as you can see each word clearly

    Cons:
    - May not be as easy to remember or as brandable
    - From my experience, they don't rank as well as domains without hyphens (might just be me though)

    Personally I'd look for the domain WITHOUT hyphens/dashes, however, if you can't find another good domain go for it. If I had the choice between the same domains with or without, I'd choose without.
    • [1] reply
    • I've had no differences in ranking with or without hyphens. Sometimes helps you get a better versions of your keyword phrase.

      Also, the hyphen can keep phrases from attracting the wrong searches....

      secrets-exposed would be my choice over secretsexposed - but maybe that's just me.

      kay
    • Banned
      [DELETED]
      • [1] reply
  • Pro - You can pick up a domain that otherwise would not be available in many cases.

    Con - Seekers often forget to type the dash.
  • If you really need to have your keywords in the domain and even the hyphenated names are taken, you can use a double hyphen.

    If the url best-weight-loss-tips.com is taken, then add another hyphen to any hyphen within the url
    best()weight-loss-tips.com
    • [2] replies
    • There was a page online years ago with examples like the ones Alexa and I used - it was hilarious.

      At the time it was causing problems for some of the sites because google wasn't properly interpreting domains for searches.

      kay
    • You can go the other way as well. If it's a longtail keyword in the domain, use fewer hyphens. I have some domains with 3 or more words in the phrase where I don't hyphenate between each word. It's ugly, but it will usually get you your desired keyword as exact match domain name.

      John
      • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • Since we are on the subject, should I have used a hyphen when saying "double hyphen"
  • I have sites with dashes in them, and they do ok
  • Banned
    Ok, I totally disagree to use dash on the domain names! You deal with credibility when you dash your domains!
    You get rank very hard!
    But you can mix 2 keywords, and if the name is taken try to change the order of the words, try to short the name and you will success!
    It's more good than buy a dash domain!
Join the discussion

Next Topics on Trending Feed

  • 21

    Pros and cons to using dash marks in domain

    If I were wanting to purchase a domain with say three separate words in it e.g. bigbluebirdcage.com, are there any advantages or disadvantages to putting dashes between the words e.g. big-blue-birdcage.com? It seems like it might be easier to read to a searcher, but do the search engines like it? Thanks.