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A question about URLs

by Jens1986
13 replies
  • SEO
    • |
Hi,

I am building a website in a hard niche (credit cards), but in my native language so the competition is not impossible to beat.

I have some questions about URLs and how to best solve this.

The best URLs are ofcourse taken, so here is my options:

Option 1:
An URL with the main keyword + an extra word like expert, guide, portal etc. The extra word is not an important keyword (the domains with highly relevant keywords are all taken)
Example www.creditcardexpert.xx

Option 2:
The main keyword + 1-3 random letters (like abc, one, ly etc.) This will be a shorter URL than Option 1, but the last letters will not be relevant (like ly is not a word in my language).
Example: www.creditcarda.xx, www.creditcardly.xx

Option 3:
The first half of the keyword + one letter
Example: www.credits.xx

What option is the best?
The link structure will be made to match long tail keywords, for example "best credit card 2016" will be like this:

www.creditcardexpert.xx/best-credit-card-2016
www.creditcardly.xx/best-credit-card-2016
www.credits.xx/best-credit-card-2016

Waht do you think is the best? I am in serious doubt, but I am starting to think Option 2 is what I should go for.

Thank you!
#question #urls
  • Profile picture of the author deepCode
    Option 1 and 2 hold the keyword, so I would go for them.

    Ask yourself, on what would you rather click? What sounds moretrustworthy? Personally, I would choose option 1
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    • Profile picture of the author Jens1986
      Originally Posted by deepCode View Post

      Option 1 and 2 hold the keyword, so I would go for them.

      Ask yourself, on what would you rather click? What sounds moretrustworthy? Personally, I would choose option 1
      I get your point, however what people would click is not relevant to my question. Option 1 will be the longest URL, dont you think a shorter URL would be better in a hard niche?
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  • Profile picture of the author HCFGrizzly
    Originally Posted by Jens1986 View Post

    Hi,

    I am building a website in a hard niche (credit cards), but in my native language so the competition is not impossible to beat.

    I have some questions about URLs and how to best solve this.

    The best URLs are ofcourse taken, so here is my options:

    Option 1:
    An URL with the main keyword + an extra word like expert, guide, portal etc. The extra word is not an important keyword (the domains with highly relevant keywords are all taken)
    Example www.creditcardexpert.xx

    Option 2:
    The main keyword + 1-3 random letters (like abc, one, ly etc.) This will be a shorter URL than Option 1, but the last letters will not be relevant (like ly is not a word in my language).
    Example: www.creditcarda.xx, www.creditcardly.xx

    Option 3:
    The first half of the keyword + one letter
    Example: www.credits.xx

    What option is the best?
    The link structure will be made to match long tail keywords, for example "best credit card 2016" will be like this:

    www.creditcardexpert.xx/best-credit-card-2016
    www.creditcardly.xx/best-credit-card-2016
    www.credits.xx/best-credit-card-2016

    Waht do you think is the best? I am in serious doubt, but I am starting to think Option 2 is what I should go for.

    Thank you!
    You really have to ask yourself what is the most relevant name to your audience?
    What is the name your visitors will easily remember?
    Placing a keyword in the domain name to obtain a better SEO score is a well known myth, but nobody can prove you that this myth is real. I wouldn`t put that much value on it.
    This said, option 1 looks like the better option for me. It would be easier for me to remember the first name than the second one.
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  • Profile picture of the author sameera
    Originally Posted by Jens1986 View Post

    Hi,

    I am building a website in a hard niche (credit cards), but in my native language so the competition is not impossible to beat.

    I have some questions about URLs and how to best solve this.

    The best URLs are ofcourse taken, so here is my options:

    Option 1:
    An URL with the main keyword + an extra word like expert, guide, portal etc. The extra word is not an important keyword (the domains with highly relevant keywords are all taken)
    Example www.creditcardexpert.xx

    Option 2:
    The main keyword + 1-3 random letters (like abc, one, ly etc.) This will be a shorter URL than Option 1, but the last letters will not be relevant (like ly is not a word in my language).
    Example: www.creditcarda.xx, www.creditcardly.xx

    Option 3:
    The first half of the keyword + one letter
    Example: www.credits.xx

    What option is the best?
    The link structure will be made to match long tail keywords, for example "best credit card 2016" will be like this:

    www.creditcardexpert.xx/best-credit-card-2016
    www.creditcardly.xx/best-credit-card-2016
    www.credits.xx/best-credit-card-2016

    Waht do you think is the best? I am in serious doubt, but I am starting to think Option 2 is what I should go for.

    Thank you!

    I don't think there is a need to add 2016 in url. You can optimize 2016 in website title, description and content. But I think 2016 should be avoided as you might not be sharing details about 2016 in next year or you cannot even create multiple pages for different years.
    Moreover, you can use following also

    best credit card options
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  • Profile picture of the author yukon
    Banned
    Originally Posted by Jens1986 View Post

    Hi,

    I am building a website in a hard niche (credit cards), but in my native language so the competition is not impossible to beat.

    I have some questions about URLs and how to best solve this.

    The best URLs are ofcourse taken, so here is my options:

    Option 1:
    An URL with the main keyword + an extra word like expert, guide, portal etc. The extra word is not an important keyword (the domains with highly relevant keywords are all taken)
    Example www.creditcardexpert.xx

    Option 2:
    The main keyword + 1-3 random letters (like abc, one, ly etc.) This will be a shorter URL than Option 1, but the last letters will not be relevant (like ly is not a word in my language).
    Example: www.creditcarda.xx, www.creditcardly.xx

    Option 3:
    The first half of the keyword + one letter
    Example: www.credits.xx

    What option is the best?
    The link structure will be made to match long tail keywords, for example "best credit card 2016" will be like this:

    www.creditcardexpert.xx/best-credit-card-2016
    www.creditcardly.xx/best-credit-card-2016
    www.credits.xx/best-credit-card-2016

    Waht do you think is the best? I am in serious doubt, but I am starting to think Option 2 is what I should go for.

    Thank you!


    None of those URL structures are good because you're forcing the entire site to depend on the Home page. One page (ex: Home page) shouldn't be a catchall for an entire site.

    Look into SEO silo structures (parent/child pages), they allow you to expand into very focused sub-niches of the root keyword.


    Example:
    • mywallet.com
      • mywallet.com/bad-credit
        • mywallet.com/bad-credit/credit-cards-for-bad-credit
        • mywallet.com/bad-credit/rebuilding-bad-credit
        • mywallet.com/bad-credit/credit-cards-to-build-credit-scores
        • mywallet.com/bad-credit/secured-credit-cards
        • etc...


    • mywallet.com
      • mywallet.com/good-credit
        • mywallet.com/good-credit/credit-cards-for-good-credit
        • mywallet.com/good-credit/compare-top-cards-for-good-credit
        • mywallet.com/good-credit/top-7-credit-cards-for-excellent-credit
        • mywallet.com/good-credit/instant-approval-credit-cards
        • etc...
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    • Profile picture of the author Jens1986
      Originally Posted by yukon View Post

      None of those URL structures are good because you're forcing the entire site to depend on the Home page. One page (ex: Home page) shouldn't be a catchall for an entire site.

      Look into SEO silo structures (parent/child pages), they allow you to expand into very focused sub-niches of the root keyword.


      Example:
      • mywallet.com
        • mywallet.com/bad-credit
          • mywallet.com/bad-credit/credit-cards-for-bad-credit
          • mywallet.com/bad-credit/rebuilding-bad-credit
          • mywallet.com/bad-credit/credit-cards-to-build-credit-scores
          • mywallet.com/bad-credit/secured-credit-cards
          • etc...


      • mywallet.com
        • mywallet.com/good-credit
          • mywallet.com/good-credit/credit-cards-for-good-credit
          • mywallet.com/good-credit/compare-top-cards-for-good-credit
          • mywallet.com/good-credit/top-7-credit-cards-for-excellent-credit
          • mywallet.com/good-credit/instant-approval-credit-cards
          • etc...
      Thanks a lot for your input!

      I know people always discuss weather the main kw should be in the domain or not, but if it is possible to have it there I dont see why it should have a negative effect? I dont care about how easy it is to remember the domain - all I care about is the ranking.

      Anyways, what do you think is the best structure of these examples?

      1 creditcardx.xx/credit-card/best-credit-cards
      2 creditcardx.xx/best-credit-cards
      3 mywallet.xx/credit-card/best-credit-cards

      If I use silo structure, the main keyword will be repeated 3 times in example 1, twice in example 2 and 3.
      Also, all of the keywords I am going for is related to the main keyword, so I think thats another reason to have the main keyword in the URL.
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      • Profile picture of the author yukon
        Banned
        Originally Posted by Jens1986 View Post

        Thanks a lot for your input!

        I know people always discuss weather the main kw should be in the domain or not, but if it is possible to have it there I dont see why it should have a negative effect? I dont care about how easy it is to remember the domain - all I care about is the ranking.

        Anyways, what do you think is the best structure of these examples?

        1 creditcardx.xx/credit-card/best-credit-cards
        2 creditcardx.xx/best-credit-cards
        3 mywallet.xx/credit-card/best-credit-cards

        If I use silo structure, the main keyword will be repeated 3 times in example 1, twice in example 2 and 3.
        Also, all of the keywords I am going for is related to the main keyword, so I think thats another reason to have the main keyword in the URL.
        I don't think you've understood my last post.

        You can easily add the credit card keyword to any silo URL.
        • mywallet.com
          • mywallet.com/credit-card
            • mywallet.com/credit-card/credit-cards-for-good-credit
            • mywallet.com/credit-card/compare-top-cards-for-good-credit
            • mywallet.com/credit-card/top-7-credit-cards-for-excellent-credit
            • mywallet.com/credit-card/instant-approval-credit-cards
            • etc...

        In this case the keyword credit card would be the silo parent page. Think of a silo parent page as the Home page for that specific root keyword.

        I guarantee you millions of people are searching for credit cards without specifically searching for root keyword (credit card). An example would be improving credit scores. That's where adding multiple silos comes in, you're not stuck with one keyword. Expand the site as often as you need.

        Odds are you won't find a credit card domain without it looking spammy. Branding a domain eliminates the risk of throwing up obvious red flags for keyword stuffing.
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        • Profile picture of the author Jens1986
          Originally Posted by yukon View Post

          I don't think you've understood my last post.

          You can easily add the credit card keyword to any silo URL.
          • mywallet.com
            • mywallet.com/credit-card
              • mywallet.com/credit-card/credit-cards-for-good-credit
              • mywallet.com/credit-card/compare-top-cards-for-good-credit
              • mywallet.com/credit-card/top-7-credit-cards-for-excellent-credit
              • mywallet.com/credit-card/instant-approval-credit-cards
              • etc...

          In this case the keyword credit card would be the silo parent page. Think of a silo parent page as the Home page for that specific root keyword.

          I guarantee you millions of people are searching for credit cards without specifically searching for root keyword (credit card). An example would be improving credit scores. That's where adding multiple silos comes in, you're not stuck with one keyword. Expand the site as often as you need.

          Odds are you won't find a credit card domain without it looking spammy. Branding a domain eliminates the risk of throwing up obvious red flags for keyword stuffing.
          Thanks again for your input, I understood your first post. Lets say I have managed to get a domain name with creditcard in the main domain, is it then any point in using silo structure?

          I have done a big keyword research job, and have a lot of keywords that I can put into categories like credit card, mastercard, visa etc.

          Lets say I go for creditcardx.xx as my domain (I dont see why I shouldnt because the site will be only about credit cards). Would the pages that I want for long tail keywords with the word credit card in it be best to just do like so:
          1) creditcardx.xx/best-credit-card/
          or
          2) creditcardx.xx/creditcard/best-creditcard/
          or
          3) creditcardx.xx/creditcard/best/


          Is this a good idea: make silo structure for all the long tail keywords that does not have credit card in them, and then not use silo for the keywords that contain credit card?

          Like so (no silo for credit card keywords):
          creditcardx.xx/best-credit-card/
          creditcardx.xx/top-credit-cards/

          and silo for other keywords:
          creditcardx.xx/mastercard/best-mastercards/
          creditcardx.xx/mastercard/top-mastercards/

          And if I use silo, like in the last example, is it best to repeat the word mastercard in the last part of the URL or leave it out? Lets say "top mastercards" is the keyword I am going for, what would you choose?
          creditcardx.xx/mastercard/top-mastercards/
          vs
          creditcardx.xx/mastercard/top/
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          • Profile picture of the author DABK
            My answers in bold below.

            Originally Posted by Jens1986 View Post

            Thanks again for your input, I understood your first post. Lets say I have managed to get a domain name with creditcard in the main domain, is it then any point in using silo structure?
            The above question indicates you missed Yukon's point. Yes, there is. You rank much easier if you do.

             I have done a big keyword research job, and have a lot of keywords that I can put into categories like credit card, mastercard, visa etc.

            Lets say I go for creditcardx.xx as my domain (I dont see why I shouldnt because the site will be only about credit cards You should use it if you already have it. Just don't think it will help you as much as such things used to help a couple of years ago.). Would the pages that I want for long tail keywords with the word credit card in it be best to just do like so:
            1) creditcardx.xx/best-credit-card/
            or
            2) creditcardx.xx/creditcard/best-creditcard/ (Like Yukon told you, this is your best option
            or
            3) creditcardx.xx/creditcard/best/ Why would you even consider this? Best is a lousy keyword. The point of Silos: you pick a main keyword and a bunch of secondary keywords and you use the secondary keywords to help you rank the main one while you're ranking the secondary ones.

            Why are you fighting good advice?

            Is this a good idea: make silo structure for all the long tail keywords that does not have credit card in them, and then not use silo for the keywords that contain credit card?

            Like so (no silo for credit card keywords):
            creditcardx.xx/best-credit-card/
            creditcardx.xx/top-credit-cards/

            and silo for other keywords:
            creditcardx.xx/mastercard/best-mastercards/
            creditcardx.xx/mastercard/top-mastercards/

            And if I use silo, like in the last example, is it best to repeat the word mastercard in the last part of the URL or leave it out? Lets say "top mastercards" is the keyword I am going for, what would you choose?
            creditcardx.xx/mastercard/top-mastercards/
            vs
            creditcardx.xx/mastercard/top/
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            • Profile picture of the author Jens1986
              Originally Posted by DABK View Post

              My answers in bold below.
              I am not trying to fight good advice, I really appreciate all the answers here and it has been helping me a lot.

              Thank you for you reply. Just a couple of quick follow ups.
              creditcardx.xx/creditcard/best-creditcard/
              The main keyword is mentioned three times in the URL and that this example is the one with the longest URL - will the structure outweigh this fact? I thought shorter URLs always better, and is repeating keyword 3 times ok?
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              • Profile picture of the author yukon
                Banned
                Originally Posted by Jens1986 View Post

                I am not trying to fight good advice, I really appreciate all the answers here and it has been helping me a lot.

                Thank you for you reply. Just a couple of quick follow ups.
                creditcardx.xx/creditcard/best-creditcard/
                The main keyword is mentioned three times in the URL and that this example is the one with the longest URL - will the structure outweigh this fact? I thought shorter URLs always better, and is repeating keyword 3 times ok?
                The length of the URL doesn't matter though shorter URLs tend to be easier to manage.

                That example URL is spammy & completely over optimized. Do some research on LSI keywords.
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              • Profile picture of the author DABK
                creditcard.xxx/credit-cards/no-annual-fee
                creditcard.xxx/credit-cards/fancy-design
                creditcard.xxx/credit-cards/low-interest-cards
                creditcard.xxx/credit-cards/best-cards-for-left-handed-people
                creditcard.xxx/credit-cards/visa
                creditcard.xxx/credit-cards/mastercard

                You have credit card in the domain name... So, do a silo where the homepage is the top page of the silo.

                creditcard.xxx/visa
                credictard.xxx/no-annual-fee-cards
                creditcard.xxx/mastercard

                Then do some silos for other keywords.


                Originally Posted by Jens1986 View Post

                I am not trying to fight good advice, I really appreciate all the answers here and it has been helping me a lot.

                Thank you for you reply. Just a couple of quick follow ups.
                creditcardx.xx/creditcard/best-creditcard/
                The main keyword is mentioned three times in the URL and that this example is the one with the longest URL - will the structure outweigh this fact? I thought shorter URLs always better, and is repeating keyword 3 times ok?
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      • Profile picture of the author HCFGrizzly
        Originally Posted by Jens1986 View Post

        Thanks a lot for your input!

        I know people always discuss weather the main kw should be in the domain or not, but if it is possible to have it there I dont see why it should have a negative effect? I dont care about how easy it is to remember the domain - all I care about is the ranking.

        Anyways, what do you think is the best structure of these examples?

        1 creditcardx.xx/credit-card/best-credit-cards
        2 creditcardx.xx/best-credit-cards
        3 mywallet.xx/credit-card/best-credit-cards

        If I use silo structure, the main keyword will be repeated 3 times in example 1, twice in example 2 and 3.
        Also, all of the keywords I am going for is related to the main keyword, so I think thats another reason to have the main keyword in the URL.
        You should care about how easy it is to remember the domain. How else are people going to remember to come to it?
        Although having the main keyword in the domain name doesn`t help SEO in any way (if someone is going to contradict me here, please show a 100% solid argument), it is a good think to use it because it will have branding purpose and tell your visitors what your website is about.
        If your website is only about credit cards I would suggest option 2 (don`t see the point of option one) but if your website will be about other things too, I would go with option 3.
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