with or without the dashes?

Discussion in 'Domain Names' started by LadyHoldem, Oct 24, 2006.

  1. #1
    is thisismydomain or this-is-my-domain better when trying for keywords in my domain?
     
    LadyHoldem, Oct 24, 2006 IP
  2. Tyler Banfield

    Tyler Banfield Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    3,027
    Likes Received:
    173
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    160
    #2
    I would first try to get a domain without the dashes, but if its already taken, dashes are ok. I wouldn't use more than one though (makes it more difficult for users to get directly to your site)
     
    Tyler Banfield, Oct 24, 2006 IP
  3. KC TAN

    KC TAN Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    4,792
    Likes Received:
    353
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    155
    #3
    In terms of domain value, go for the one without dash. Search Engines do treat dashes as word separators so domains with hyhpens are fine for SEO purposes.
     
    KC TAN, Oct 25, 2006 IP
  4. Correctus

    Correctus Straight Edge

    Messages:
    3,453
    Likes Received:
    389
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    195
    #4
    Search Engines take Dashes as seperators, so if you have a website that has to deal with To Ysland, you can put in a dash to make it To-Ysland.

    So that the search engine doesn't confuse it with Toys Land, hyphens come to help in such exceptional cases, although if your domain name consists of only english words, then you can use the non-hyphened version and it will have the same effect as the hyphened one, because search engines pick english letters easily in the domain and can seperate them on their own as well.

    If the domain consists of only English words, the non hyphened version should be a priority because of the fact that without a hyphen, visitors find it easier to remember a domain name, however if your non-hyphened version is NOT available, then you can of course use the hyphened version, although I'd advise choosing another TLD/domain over using the hyphened version.

    Hope I helped.

    IT
     
    Correctus, Oct 25, 2006 IP
    LadyHoldem likes this.
  5. hitchhiker

    hitchhiker Peon

    Messages:
    121
    Likes Received:
    1
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #5
    dashes are good because

    1) usually not registered
    2) search engines dont mind the dash

    they are bad because
    1)people dont rememeber dashes so you are going to get less people coming back
     
    hitchhiker, Oct 25, 2006 IP
  6. UmbrellaTechnologies

    UmbrellaTechnologies Active Member

    Messages:
    527
    Likes Received:
    22
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    58
    #6
    I always suggest 2 domains to a client. One for the search engines and another short memorable for business cards or promotion. The one for the search engines will have dashes and is usually based upon the top keyword search for his market. Say if he is doing picture blankets, I get picture-blankets.net and it gives him a chance to hit the top phrase for his buyers.
     
    UmbrellaTechnologies, Oct 25, 2006 IP
  7. pangea

    pangea Guest

    Messages:
    557
    Likes Received:
    13
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #7
    good as long as traffic comes from search engines - though IMHO, not good if you are just getting people to remember the domain name
     
    pangea, Oct 26, 2006 IP
  8. SteveAR

    SteveAR Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    2,692
    Likes Received:
    42
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    160
    #8
    def with out. but if you must ide say only one. max.
     
    SteveAR, Oct 26, 2006 IP
  9. 2AO

    2AO Peon

    Messages:
    34
    Likes Received:
    0
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #9
    My experience says don't use the dashes.
     
    2AO, Oct 26, 2006 IP
  10. hottub_dude

    hottub_dude Peon

    Messages:
    33
    Likes Received:
    0
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #10
    Using the first example, would "toysland" rank higher than "toys-land" in the search engines if the sites were relatively equal as far as age and links, or is there no difference to the SE's?
     
    hottub_dude, Oct 26, 2006 IP
  11. totoros

    totoros Peon

    Messages:
    528
    Likes Received:
    13
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #11
    i think toysland but i don't know as much as others here.
     
    totoros, Oct 26, 2006 IP
  12. LadyHoldem

    LadyHoldem Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    911
    Likes Received:
    46
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    140
    #12
    I can see this.. but no dupe content penalty?
     
    LadyHoldem, Oct 26, 2006 IP
  13. Correctus

    Correctus Straight Edge

    Messages:
    3,453
    Likes Received:
    389
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    195
    #13
    No difference Hottub.

    IT
     
    Correctus, Oct 27, 2006 IP
  14. UmbrellaTechnologies

    UmbrellaTechnologies Active Member

    Messages:
    527
    Likes Received:
    22
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    58
    #14
    The domain for the search engines is normal and the other promotional domain uses a redirect that the search engine don't like so they ignore it.

     
    UmbrellaTechnologies, Oct 27, 2006 IP
  15. boron

    boron Well-Known Member

    Messages:
    1,072
    Likes Received:
    40
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    140
    #15
    What is a good way to point two domains on one site, so visitor won't see that "redirecting" warning on a screen.
    May I chose any two or more domains I owe to point on one site?

    (Google also uses many domains. Google.com, Gogle.com, Google.net, Google.biz and so on..also national domains like Google.si).
     
    boron, Oct 27, 2006 IP
  16. webfinity

    webfinity Peon

    Messages:
    71
    Likes Received:
    5
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #16
    If the domain is a popular keyword phrase get both, and use the one with dashed foe search engine submission. Use a 301 redirect to forward the one without dashes to the one with dashes.
     
    webfinity, Oct 27, 2006 IP
  17. debunked

    debunked Prominent Member

    Messages:
    7,298
    Likes Received:
    416
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    310
    #17
    I was going to say the same thing, but redirect the opposite way= may site without dashes, unless it is really hard to decipher the words, then do what webfinity says.
     
    debunked, Oct 27, 2006 IP
  18. Pat Gael

    Pat Gael Banned

    Messages:
    1,331
    Likes Received:
    68
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #18
    Without dashes is the best option, but that does not mean that you high rank if you get a domain with a dash.

    I have seen many of those sites with better position than those without it.

    However keep in mind Tyler's advice, no more than one dash and the shorter the name, the best.
     
    Pat Gael, Oct 27, 2006 IP