keywords as a domain name

chrisbrent · 09-13-2006, 12:45 AM

does using the 'target keywords' in a domain name help in optimizing a website? or it will just have to go to the Title page and content?

chris

caffeine_kitty · 09-13-2006, 12:51 AM

one of the reasons why it is recommended to use keyword rich domains is because the second most common anchor text that will be used when linking to your site is your domain (site title is first) and as we all know anchor text is vitally important to search engine rankings.

chrisbrent · 09-13-2006, 02:30 AM

but how about this forum? the domain name is "v7n", was it only indexed or optimized through its Title page and content?

Dustin07 · 09-13-2006, 10:32 AM

Chris, I know John blogged about it a while back, but check out this thread. Yes, I believe having a keyword rich domain is great, but there are limitations.

here's the Matt Cutt's answer from Peter.

IgorMordkovich · 09-13-2006, 12:11 PM

Chris, I don't think that any one has a definitive answer.

Some people say that Google favors the keyword rich URL and some say that it doesn't. Some (like me) say that it's good because of the keyword rich anchor text you'll get when others link to you.

For this reason when picking a URL I'd focus more on other factors that go into creating a good business name. Avoid creating a URL 99% based on only what will work best for SEO. Remember ... algorithms change all the time. Your brand should not depend on it.

HJMAX007 · 09-13-2006, 05:22 PM

I agree with caffeine_kitty.

SEO is a series of building blocks and the use of key words in the URL is just another one.

Good-Luck!

chrisbrent · 09-13-2006, 07:45 PM

thanks everyone!

Web Gazelle · 09-13-2006, 08:04 PM

Looking at Yahoo and MSN's SERPs right now, keywords in the domain name can help you rank well with them.

JuggoPop · 09-13-2006, 08:30 PM

I think (as stated already) that it falls on the fact that people will link to you with the keywords you want.

say I have a domain called XO765ghT.net
and I sell phone cards. If I ask for links back I will want my anchor text to be Phone Cards not XO765ghT... because they will be searching for phone cards.
But some people will still link to me using my domain name, not my desired keywords.

If I had the domain Phone-Cards.org, then I will probably get people linking with my keywords, as the domain and the keywords are the same, no one will screw it up...

Now... personally, I hate keyword domains. I've had a few...
and other then the one thing I stated above, i don't think it matters in the least.

I think it's better to brand yourself as a leader in your subject then to be "one of those" bland sites based off of keywords.

of course you could mix the two.

Dustin07 · 09-14-2006, 08:11 AM

Quote:

If I had the domain Phone-Cards.org, then I will probably get people linking with my keywords, as the domain and the keywords are the same, no one will screw it up..

I agree with you. I even do it myself (usually when I'm blogging). I'll referrence someone and when I provide the link, it will be "The fine people at XO765ghT.net......"

but from a BRANDING standpoint... meh.

JuggoPop · 09-14-2006, 12:27 PM

well I wouldn't brand XO765ghT.net...

more like V7N... could be branded to do anything.

Dustin07 · 09-14-2006, 12:31 PM

You wouldn't brand XO765ghT.net?...

j/k

my point was if i'm bloggin about dog collars and a site I like is pooty-tooty-collars.us I'll probably referrence them by saying "pooty tooty collars.us". So if their keyword is in there... voila for them. Not because I'm unwilling to give them the keyword-rich ibl, I just think it helps readers more if they see the domain name they are linking too... IMO. I could be high tho, who knows.

JuggoPop · 09-14-2006, 12:34 PM

true.

bluewavedesignstudio · 09-14-2006, 01:28 PM

The url is one of the keys to optimization. The title tag, url, metatags and content on each page should line up.

For example; if you want a site about DLP Tv's then the url should be www.dlptv.com( or have some combo of the keywords for the site) and the title tags, metatags and the url string (xxxx) following the www.dlptv.com/xxxx should be unique on all pages.

Note: you should separate the title tag with commas since thats what google is reading now. For example on a page about dlp technology in TV's on the site the title tag should be something like; DLP Technology in TV's(Title of the page is the keywords of what the page is about), DLPTV.COM (your business name).

hulkster · 09-14-2006, 01:45 PM

At least right now, Google has no results for XO765ghT ... so you should be able to grab the #1 in that keyword - LOL! ;-)

JuggoPop · 09-14-2006, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hulkster

At least right now, Google has no results for XO765ghT ... so you should be able to grab the #1 in that keyword - LOL! ;-)

this thread will be number one before long...

oh and you guys might want to check out the google failure thread here on v7n...
shows the power of inbound anchor text vs the keyword everything.
...otherwise google bombing wouldn't work at all...

chrisbrent · 09-14-2006, 10:19 PM

the XO765ghT FEVER! LOL!

sponge06 · 09-15-2006, 01:54 AM

Keywords in the url can help. But I would prefer a catchy name over a keyword domain.

However, having your keyword in your url can actually help you stay out of the sandbox for longer

but i will go into this at another time.