I receive quite a bit of questions through email and I always answer them, so I might as well share the answers with you all, right? As long as that's OK for the person who asked the question, of course. This is the first Q&A -post, so do tell me what you think about this in the comments, OK?
This time the questions and answers are related to building niche sites, and more accurately search engine optimization, SEO, and choosing the right domain name.
Preface
These questions came from Ravi who had several questions about choosing domain names for niche sites. I didn't get a site to link to (at least yet), but the questions were good. I hope you find the answers useful :)
Choosing a domain name is important for any blog and website, but it's even more important if you are planning to drive traffic through search engines to the site, using optimize the site for one main keyword phrase and couple of related phrases. In such a case, it's very beneficial to choose a domain name that matches the main keyword phrase exactly.
Question: Can I Add a Word to Keyworded Domain Name?
Ravi asked: "Do you think that part of the domain name can be in a longer name or should the entire domain name be keyword only?"
In other words, the question is: if I have found that "blue widgets" is a great keyword phrase (enough search volume, not too much competition), is it OK to get a domain like bluewidgetsblog.com (adding blog to the end), bluewidgetsstore.com or similar if the bluewidgets.com (and .net/.org) is taken?
Answer: Avoid if possible
It's OK to add a word, but always try to find exact domain name if possible (.com .net or .org).
So I'd always choose a domain with just the keyword phrase. Adding a word to the end, like site or blog is OK. It won't be "perfect", just OK. When going for very targeted niche and using SEO as main source of traffic, the exact keyword in the domain is essential.
It's usually better to move on until you find "perfect" domain and pass the "OK" ones. But in the end any domain name CAN work, so adding a word doesn't mean you are doomed to fail.
Q: Should I always get the "perfect" domain name?
Ravi asked: "Do you think the lack of a perfect domain name can be overcome with good content (in terms of search) or do you really recommend moving on?"
A: In short, yes
If I'm about to build a niche site, I usually look until I find a good keyword phrase (with good search volume, not too much competition) where I can get domain name with the exact phrase with the three "main" extensions:
- .com
- .net
- .org
and then go with that. If the exact domain name is not available I usually move on and try to find something else.
If you're building a more long term blog, e.g. your "main blog", the domain name is not that important (SEO-wise) and the good (UNIQUE!) content is always important. You can make a blog work with any domain name, but good domain name will help both search engines and the visitors find the site faster if it has the "perfect" keywords in it.
Q: What do you think about domain names with hyphens?
Ravi asked: "how do you feel about hyphens in domain names?"
In other words, is it OK to have a domain like buy-blue-widgets.com (if buybluewidgets.com is taken)?
A: I'd stay away from them
For the hyphens in domain name, I don't like them. One hyphen maybe (in two worded domain), but not otherwise. I'd find another domain. Although I haven't tested and tried them, so not sure if they work or not, I just don't like them :)
Q: Doing SEO consulting?
Lastly, Ravi asked: "Are you doing SEO consulting for clients?"
A: Yes.
As a part of my consulting and blog coaching services, search engine optimization is definitely part of it. But to be honest, I just haven't thought about it as doing SEO consulting per se, as I assist clients with wide variety of topics. With SEO, I'll be helping others with that in the future as well, and continue being a humble student and scholar of the art :)
Summary
These answers apply to choosing any domain name, but in particular when choosing a domain name for a niche site. For such a site, the main source of traffic will be the search engines. And a site which is optimized for one good keyword phrase and just a couple of related phrases, with the main keyword phrase preferably being the domain name.
- Always choose a domain with one of the three "main" extensions
- .com
- .net
- .org
- The more exotic extensions like .me, .biz and .us might work, but I've stayed away from them
- the exception here being the national extensions if you're building a local site
- Get a domain name with the exact words in your main keyword phrase
- e.g. for "green widgets", take domain "greenwidgets.com" (or .net/.org)
- Avoid adding words to the domain and try to find another phrase instead
- e.g. don't go for "greenwidgetssite.com"
- The same goes for hyphens (-) in the domain name, avoid using hyphens and try to find another phrase instead
If "all" the domains are taken, go back to keyword research and find good keyword phrases. If the competition is high and/or the domain names you'd like are taken, go for the longer tail, for example look for three word keyword phrases and domains instead of one and two words.
If you're interested in improving your blogs SEO beyond domain name, I suggest you take a look at the two-part SEO series I wrote recently. Check the blog SEO -post first, and then the other one about writing SEO friendly blog posts. For reliable domain name registration services and cheap domain names, check my resources-page for domain registration links.
Thanks Ravi for asking great questions, I hope you make it work with the domain name you found in the end :) And for the rest of you, I hope the answers helped you as well. If you have more questions, go ahead and ask me...
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25 comments.
Very nice and detailed answers, Antti. Shopping for domains these days is really hard. I've had a couple great ideas for sites this week, but the domains I'd like are already taken. Sigh.
But, when you find that perfect domain, grab it!
I'm not a fan of the hyphenated domains either, but we did have one, for a niche site, that did very well! It was a two-word domain and didn't seem to hinder the site at all. Too bad my partner, and the owner of the domain, backed out of the deal! Site gone.
There are so many really great domain name out there, but investors have snatch them up and placed a premium fee on their acquisition.
Another good one, Antti!
I've never been an SEO guy, although I understand the concept, but I have learned quite a bit about it from your posts.
The problem is that domainers own most of the good stuff. It is really tough to find a good .com. We're on the verge of something like .me taking over, but who knows if that's it.
Another thing would be to preferably not have numerals in a domain name. They can look tacky and spammy. Not sure if the affect SEO much though.
But it is impossible to find a domain with all the keywords unless you've VC backing with a shit load of money or you use a 4/5 words long-tail keywords.
Very true Nathan. The good thing is that the (bad) domainers are buying way too many domains and face bankruptcy in coupe of years. But there will be others, so it is always hard to find good dot com nowadays.
For these kind of long tail niche sites thou, the .com's are still there, it just means going for 3 or even 4 words.
Very true Nathan. The good thing is that the (bad) domainers are buying way too many domains and face bankruptcy in coupe of years. But there will be others, so it is always hard to find good dot com nowadays.
For these kind of long tail niche sites thou, the .com's are still there, it just means going for 3 or even 4 words.
I'd say going for 3 words is enough for niche sites and definitely for 4/5 words. For little niche site, it is very rarely worth it to buy the domain if it's taken.
p.s. I appreciate the comment, but please edit your “name” as my comment policy does not allow keywords in the name, use your personal name or initials instead. Your comment is pretty obvious SPAM and I will delete it as one later today unless you edit your comment!
I'd say going for 3 words is enough for niche sites and definitely for 4/5 words. For little niche site, it is very rarely worth it to buy the domain if it's taken.
p.s. I appreciate the comment, but please edit your “name” as my comment policy does not allow keywords in the name, use your personal name or initials instead. Your comment is pretty obvious SPAM and I will delete it as one later today unless you edit your comment!
It depends. Knowing the history, you are referring to replacing “for you” with “4u”, or “too fast” with “2fast”. And with that you are probably right. But replacing number words with numbers should be OK from SEO point of view (e.g. two with 2).
If there is a search phrase that people are looking for, let's say “4 hour workweek”, domain like that makes sense (although Tim went for “four” with the main site). And of course there are big sites and/or companies like 43folders.com and 37signals.com, which don't look tacky.
For SEO spesifically, it's always better to have the exact match, even as far as numbers. So if people are searching for “four”, the domain name should have “four”, and similarly for “4″.
Some search engines do take numbers as synonyms, so it doesn't matter if one searches for 4 or four, pages with either 4 or four will be noticed. However, the exact match will (nearly) always rank higher.
Thanks Jimi and I'm happy if my posts have helped you, that's why I write them after all :)
Getting a domain for a niche site can be frustrating, but often you can just go for another phrase. When looking for domain for one's first (main) blog, it's even more frustrating…
You usually have a blog name in mind and then can't get the domain. And for most beginner's it doesn't make sense to pay the investors for the domain. The good news is that in the end, you can make any domain work, as long as it makes some sense.
Hi Erica. You are right about the hyphens. From SEO point of view, it works as well as domain without hyphen (or very, very close to the same).
As long as people arrive through search engines (clicking a link), hyphens are OK (although sites without hyphens might be perceived to be more “trustworthy”). When they start typing the site, you might run into problems, or at least send tons of free traffic to the domain without the hyphen.
With that, if one is planning to “brand” a blog, e.g. personal blog or business site (not simple niche site), I would never take domain with hyphen. For niche sites, I'd try to find one without, but could settle for hyphened domain if everything else fails.
thank you for nice article, as newbie that still confuse on term SEO things it surely can help me.
It's great that you are responding to e-mails. You be surprised how many people ignore their e-mail account.
I like to point out that keywords in domain is a VERY small factor to ranking in the serps.
No Problem. But how do I delete the comment?
You can claim your comments on Disqus, which enables you to edit your comments (and other features as well, like tracking all your comments).
Move the mouse over the “avatar” on your comment here on the blog, click on “expand” and then “claim it now” (it will use the email address for verification). You can then edit your commenter name and all your Disqus comments.
I have to correct you there (I even edited your comment, since this is important)… Root domain name is VERY, VERY important factor for rankings. In fact, it's probably the most important factor right after the title tag. And this is not even counting the fact how easily you can link back to your site with the domain name, making the keywords in it even more valuable.
See for yourself: Search Engine Ranking Factors by SEOmoz.
p.s. Email is the most important tool on the Internet and since it's fast and personal, I like to use it :) As long as the questions and comments are not spam, I answer to all the emails.
I tried to think of a domain that was a little provocative. I don't really consider my blog a “niche sight” although I am sure many might take me for one. To me, I just write about solutions, how people can move their lives forward in various ways, and I also like to share information that people can apply to their everyday world.
When I wrote about niche sites and choosing a keyword rick domain name for them, I'm thinking sites which drive majority of their traffic through search engines.
If the site is such that the goal is to have people coming back to it, type the domain to the browser, tell their friends, etc. The importance of the domain being clear, simple and memorable come into play as well. Of course content and site design help with this, but it starts with the domain site.
I agree with most of it, except for the hyphens. If I find the hyphen version with a .com extension, I'll use that rather than the non-hyphened org.
Since SEO effect is the same for hyphened and non-hyphened domain, non-hyphened domain is not better than hyphened domain in any way. Thus, choosing hyphened domain IF non-hyphened is available, is not a good choice, if you ask me.
Of course, you are entitled for the opinion and I don't mean this against you in any way, but consider these the next time you're choosing a domain and both hyphened and non-hyphened domains are available…
I would never, ever take hyphened URL if the non-hyphened is available. Because,
1) typing an URL without hyphens is much easier and faster for people,
2) URLs without hyphens look about 900% more professional (how many “big” sites you see with hyphens? not too many, right?),
3) if you ever need to say the website name aloud, e.g. in radio/interview, it is a lot easier to say a website name without hyphens,
4) with hyphens, you will lose traffic to the non-hyphened domain, etc.
If you will ONLY get traffic to a website through search engines or referring sites/links, with people clicking on the search results or link elsewhere, hyphens work, but like I said on the post, I'd avoid them if in possible. It's just like always choosing .com if that's available. If the best choice is not there, THEN one can consider the other options.
Nice article, at the beginning i made the wrong choice and selected a wrong domain name! Then had to suffer for my mistake! :D hope i got your advice before that :D
Heh :D There is always a chance to get another domain and move your blog (or start over from scratch). Of course, if things are going well with the current domain, just keep at it, like I said, in the end you can make any domain work.
Nice article, at the beginning i made the wrong choice and selected a wrong domain name! Then had to suffer for my mistake! :D hope i got your advice before that :D
Heh :D There is always a chance to get another domain and move your blog (or start over from scratch). Of course, if things are going well with the current domain, just keep at it, like I said, in the end you can make any domain work.