How important are keywords in the url? Please help.

In my opinion, yes, they do have weight. I always use my keyword phrase in the domain.

Search engines like keyword domains for some reason. However, mattcars is sort of a branded domain name where you don't get much general search volume because it's not a specific search term that consumers look for.

I would just go with a new URL and start fresh. At least you know what you build on the URL

I have had more success with domain names that contain my keywords. Using keywords also lets me be less emotionally tied to and more objective about my website and what needs to be done to create success.

Ah, Keywords -- the bane of my existence. It took me a very long time to "get it" about keywords and domains, but I now feel I have a decent understanding of what needs to be done. Others might disagree with me or have a different take (and they're certainly free to speak up and say so). This is MY understanding I'm about to share, the standards I use for myself (now).

Keywords (and domains) are all about the search engines. Get a keyword for your domain with high monthly searches and low search engine returned results and you've got a winner. You can achieve rank much more easily and in fact, sometimes without doing anything else to get high rank on Google (back links, articles, forum mktg, etc.). I've proven that to myself. What you normally need to look for in order to do this is the so-called "long tail keywords."

If you have a namebrand product that you sell, and you've achieved success in traffic from the search engines FOR that product, it would probably be very helpful to have that in your URL -- IF you can, if it's allowed by the mfgr., if you can think of a suitable keyword variation. But I don't think this is your only choice for success.

If you're unfamiliar with in-depth keyword research -- and it sounds like you are, it would probably be a good idea to pay someone to do it for you. But be sure to pick someone who actually does know what they're doing, and has the tools (i.e., a number of different software keyword research products).

Good luck!

Patricia

Thank you all for your input so far and so quickly!

5 of 5 say "Yes" keywords in the url are important.

I actually have about 6 long tail exact keyword match urls I want. Now I have to figure out which one to use.

I would say yes to your question, but as you know there are many factors for ranking in the serps. I have found that by having my main keyword in the domain with no stop words like The, at, my, etc.. it takes less effort to rank, by that i mean it has required less backlinking. Of course it will also depend on the strength of your Competition.

Non of the URLs have stop words in them.

Examples (not actual url):

garagedoorpricing.com
garagedoorprices.com
bestgaragedoors.com
buygaragedoors.com

There are 6 total that I have found.

It doesnt have to be exact IMO but it helps to have them in there.

Ask yourself, Is this a longterm project or a fast buck project. Try and get the keyword in there but dont stress about "exacts", you might have to do a little extra backlinking, thats all.

I have domains where the exact is taken but encompass lots of variations in the name for what people might search for. It don't look pretty but it works.

Eg: bestfrankmoloneycdreview.blahblah

I can rank for quite a few terms with something like that, just might take a little extra linking.

In my experience, having a keyword in the url definitely helps with SEO ranking, but not to be overlooked is the credibility factor with the person who is looking for products in your niche.

For example, if you are looking for a specific product, for example a specific Toshiba laptop, are you more likely to go to computersdirect.com or a website called l645d.com (with that being the model # of the computer you are interested in)?

I would go for a keyword in the domain if possible.

Actually using keywords in domain names have only a little importance in actual ranking calculations - that’s been the case for years now. The positive effects people commonly noticed are the consequence of sites linking to the domain using the URL as anchor text - link text containing keywords is what helps the domain rank, not the actual appearance of the keyword in the domain name.

It used to be, particularly in less competitive areas and for longer-tail keyword phrases, it carried a lot of weight - enough so that an EMD (Exact-Match Domain name) by itself would often out-rank non-EMD pages that had more better backlinking & content. This was one of the reasons so many "x-factor" type sites did well, even with little content & backlinking.

The last algo update in May reduced the weighting benefits of exact-match domains significantly.

Michael

I have used keywords in all of my domains. I have had great success when I do. It's a lot harder to promote a brand name that you created most of the time.

Keywords play an important part in the indexing of your web site, as well as in the rankings with the search results.

If you check the source code on most sites it shows all the keywords and many sites have the keyword in the url.

Keyword in domain is a plus for now but not a whole picture as search engine might decide to change there game tommorow. So is always good to plan for long run.

Huge weight in my opinion.

Ike,

There are 2 trusted articles I'd recommend, both from one of the biggest names in the SEO biz:

Are Exact Match Domains Too Powerful? Is Their Time Limited? | SEOmoz
SEOmoz | YOUmoz - 5 SEO Criteria for Evaluating a Domain Name



Yes having the keywords in the domain helps - but there are many other factors SEs look at that you can over compensate in for the lack of keywords. Personally, I'd take a matured domain over an EMD for ranking purposes.

In terms of relevance which is the end goal in a search engines eyes, I'd say that is the most important factor. I think there are two types of domains, brand rich and keyword rich.

Brand rich - You're focused on building a brand and not initially worried about doing well on the search engines, at least for now anyway. But you also have a little money to spend on SEO so it's fine.

Keyword rich - You're aim is to rank highly as fast as possible in your market and hopefully spend the least amount of money on SEO. (This is my choice every time.)

Deleted... sorry. Will open new thread. Was a little off topic.

Merry Christmas and New Year all.

By the way, Brad Callen is able to use bradcallen.com because he is a known name and gets search results based solely on his name.

Keywords are very important in seo and its writing. It goes a long way in promoting your content.

To my understanding they can make a great difference. In my opinion it's one of the best on page optimization you can add but it really depends on what you're using it for. If it's a business I rather use a domain that fits the business well and short and friendly if it's a site meant as a landing page or marketing I rather use a EMD.

Keywords in the URL sometimes works, but not always. In general it depends more on your whole website, article title, backlinks, etc. My experience.

Keywords in the url can possibly help SEO but more importantly they help to make the user experience better. If you are looking solely at a url (like for instance which tells you what the page is about.)

I think yes.

If your company is well known then people will look for your company directly if not they won't.

In that case giving the product name in the url is very much valuable.