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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