'Z' instead of 'S' in domain names. Are they good?.

Discussion in 'Domain Names' started by balaa_uk, Sep 11, 2006.

  1. #1
    I wanted to register few domains related to "apartment(s)". Unfortunately, almost all combinations are all already registered.

    Let us say I need to target keyword "apartmentfinder". Would it be effective to register "apartmentzfinder"?.
     
    balaa_uk, Sep 11, 2006 IP
  2. mdvaldosta

    mdvaldosta Peon

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    #2
    I think it would be tough to have a domain like that if you're looking for professional or older visitors. It'd probably do fine for a young / hip crowd.
     
    mdvaldosta, Sep 11, 2006 IP
  3. everypcneed

    everypcneed Peon

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    #3
    I would have agree with mdvaldosta. The only audience you would get would be the generation who are using this naming convention and thus would remember it. The older crowds which would be most of your audience for this type of site would more then likely type it as it is spelt. Thus you would be driving traffic to another person's site with this crowd.

    Rick
     
    everypcneed, Sep 11, 2006 IP
  4. dcristo

    dcristo Illustrious Member

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    #4
    You portray a completely unprofessional image with a domain like that. I wouldn't suggest it.
     
    dcristo, Sep 11, 2006 IP
  5. balaa_uk

    balaa_uk Peon

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    #5
    Thanks for your feedback and comments. I really appreciate it.

    However from the SEO perspective if someone is searching "apartment finder" surely "apartmentzfinder" would score well, wouldn't? (assuming 'z' has relevant BLs and fulfills min.SEO criteria).

    Having looked at the top keywords in one SE there were more searches for "apartment finder" than "apartmentxyz.com".
     
    balaa_uk, Sep 11, 2006 IP
  6. dcristo

    dcristo Illustrious Member

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    #6
    You could achieve the same thing with a more professional domain though.
     
    dcristo, Sep 11, 2006 IP
  7. EGS

    EGS Notable Member

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    #7
    Don't do it - it's unprofessional and annoying.
     
    EGS, Sep 11, 2006 IP
  8. bannersworld

    bannersworld Guest

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    #8
    agreed, don't do it. It's not worth it at all.
     
    bannersworld, Sep 11, 2006 IP
  9. balaa_uk

    balaa_uk Peon

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    #9
    Could you please tell me why does it make it look unprofessional?. Being a beginner, I would be more willing to understand these kinds of fine bits. I guess this keyword is a highly competitive one and many people have registered almost all imaginable forms using these words and have just parked it without using it.
     
    balaa_uk, Sep 11, 2006 IP
  10. fryman

    fryman Kiss my rep

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    #10
    The "Z" is usually used for illegal or pirated stuff.
    Warez, Appz, Moviez, etc.
     
    fryman, Sep 11, 2006 IP
  11. balaa_uk

    balaa_uk Peon

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    #11
    Sounds valid. Guess only handful of users associate 'z' in a negative context. Any how, just registered 4 domains with keywords + 'z'.
     
    balaa_uk, Sep 12, 2006 IP
  12. sarahk

    sarahk iTamer Staff

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    #12
    Might only be a handful but it's all the people who responded.

    I'm from New Zealand and we have alot of brand names where nz will be substituted for other letters eg trends might become trenz or trendz

    but be very careful and consider your target market - age, demographics etc. I heard all about wotif but didn't realise the domain was a typo and spent ages searching for it. If you are relying on word of mouth your site might suffer the same fate.
     
    sarahk, Sep 12, 2006 IP
  13. unknown888

    unknown888 Guest

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    #13
    Thanks sarahk, (wotif) is a clear example of how it might go wrong.
     
    unknown888, Sep 12, 2006 IP
  14. ahkip

    ahkip Prominent Member

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    #14
    my personal site url is viruz .com ...but like other said, unless your target market is young hip guy, don't use catchy name
     
    ahkip, Sep 12, 2006 IP
  15. Rahimzai

    Rahimzai Peon

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    #15
    i think it wont place any change. i have my designing site ! xtremedezign.com and had used Z instead of S coz the domain was unavailable but i like the way it is !
     
    Rahimzai, Sep 12, 2006 IP
  16. bbqchips

    bbqchips Guest

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    #16
    It's unprofessional to replace S with a Z, also it would be hard to tell anybody about the site in real life.
     
    bbqchips, Sep 12, 2006 IP
  17. H20

    H20 Peon

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    #17
    I would feel more secure buying a new porsche from cars.com than from carz.com.

    Using a z looks like spam to me.
     
    H20, Sep 12, 2006 IP
  18. menerweb

    menerweb Well-Known Member

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    #18
    I aggree with you.
     
    menerweb, Sep 13, 2006 IP
  19. Mike Seiler

    Mike Seiler Peon

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    #19
    Add me to the list of people that thinks it looks unprofezzional. ;)

    If that's the reason you're considering using a z, maybe consider a hyphen instead, and/or another keyword. Maybe you could make it more specific if it's something that can be narrowed down by city, state, county, etc.

    Honestly, I'd probably take a domain with 10 hyphens in it over one with a z instead of an s. If you can't find a .com you want, I'd also take a good .net over a bad.com .net, even though I like .coms.
     
    Mike Seiler, Sep 14, 2006 IP
  20. balaa_uk

    balaa_uk Peon

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    #20
    Mike

    It looks like I am targetting a highly competetive keyword that even non-existent TLDs are already taken for this keyword.
     
    balaa_uk, Sep 17, 2006 IP