SEO & Domain Names

**G10** · 02-22-2005, 03:22 AM

Say you know that that a lot of people search for the term 'white paper' and obviously the domain name has gone.

You also know that the term 'white paper uk' is available.

The term 'white paper uk' isn't really a highly searched phrase but I was thinking that as it had the search term 'white paper' in it, it may carry a bit of weight.

Would it be a good idea to register the domain name www.white-paper-uk.co.uk or www.white_paper_uk.co.uk or www.whitepaper-uk.co.uk?

I think you get the idea.

BTW - The domain name I am thinking of isn't about paper.

I have seen this somewhere on the forum before but I can't seem to find the article.

marthrock · 02-23-2005, 10:02 AM

It's always best or rather cannot hurt to have the search term in the URL, but that doesn't mean that you could not do an adequate job of optimizing it, should it not contain the search term...seems to me that on a scale of 1-10 in terms of weight it's probably a 2

rtheodorow · 03-01-2005, 08:54 AM

Page title holds more weight from my experience than domain name......

Jason · 03-01-2005, 09:50 AM

I agree with rtheodorow, but why did you use underscribes in the second suggested URL? Did you mean hyphens?

webyourbusiness · 03-01-2005, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rtheodorow

Page title holds more weight from my experience than domain name......

exactly where?

In Google and it's minions, your site doesn't appear for the search

affordable web design

In the new MSN - you are #4 and beat out by two domains with the search phrase in their domain name.

I ask again - where can you show that it's MORE important?

rtheodorow · 03-01-2005, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by webyourbusiness

exactly where?

In Google and it's minions, your site doesn't appear for the search

affordable web design

In the new MSN - you are #4 and beat out by two domains with the search phrase in their domain name.

I ask again - where can you show that it's MORE important?

Actually, as of 10:46 EST I am #54 in Google for "Affordable Web Design". I just recently changed my title too. I had company name first and I was fluxing between 450's all the way to 768....page title with important kw's FIRST is HUGE!!!

webyourbusiness · 03-02-2005, 07:05 AM

it's important - but so is the domain... and google isn't everything....

google:

web design business

notice what is bolded in the results - including portions of the domain... you would do BETTER if your site (ranked well though it is) had at least SOME ASPECT of the search IN THE DOMAIN.