Do domains with dash (-) give some effects in SEO?

Discussion in 'Search Engine Optimization' started by albertwesker, Jun 2, 2011.

  1. #1
    For example,

    How the different between cheapgolfball.com and cheap-golf-ball.com in term of SEO?

    Lets say i want to rank for "cheap golf ball" keyword, which domain name give more effects in SEO as well as rankings, with dash or no dash?
     
    albertwesker, Jun 2, 2011 IP
  2. iNET SEO

    iNET SEO Active Member

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    #2
    A well known SEO fact is that one of the triggers for a spam site is those with hyphens in them. It is OK to have hyphens in the site pages, but avoid them at all costs in the domain name :)
     
    iNET SEO, Jun 2, 2011 IP
  3. faysal969

    faysal969 Member

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    #3
    I think if you get the exact match keyword domain then you should not think about else. If the exact match domain is not available then domain name with "-" is OK. Ranking in search result depends on the SEO of the article. If your content is unique, error free, useful and do perfect SEO then you will get good position in search result.
     
    faysal969, Jun 2, 2011 IP
  4. friendlymentor

    friendlymentor Peon

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    #4
    - domains WILL HAVE GOOD effects on SEO.

    Only if the words surrounding "-" are english dictionary words. Because google can understand those words.
     
    friendlymentor, Jun 2, 2011 IP
  5. revium

    revium Member

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    #5
    As INet SEO stated, domains with lots of hyphens in them can be a signal of a spammy site, but I think it is ok to have 1 or 2 hyphens in your domain name. Personally, I would not go with a domain that has more than 2 hyphens though.
     
    revium, Jun 2, 2011 IP
  6. AStateOfLogic

    AStateOfLogic Member

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    #6
    A couple hyphens will have no effect on your SEO. The biggest disadvantage of hyphens is that if you try to tell someone your site URL or just general word of mouth from others it can be confusing to remember.
     
    AStateOfLogic, Jun 2, 2011 IP
  7. dcristo

    dcristo Illustrious Member

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    #7
    Rubbish! Hyphens in domains are good for SEO.
     
    dcristo, Jun 2, 2011 IP
  8. JancyLee

    JancyLee Peon

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    #8
    I don't think there is any effect in SEO point of view but in terms of domain value, the answer is "yes".
    SEO is more concerned about the keywords
     
    JancyLee, Jun 2, 2011 IP
  9. dcristo

    dcristo Illustrious Member

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    #9
    And what do you think hyphen domains are all about? They act as word separators.
     
    dcristo, Jun 2, 2011 IP
  10. Adnan959

    Adnan959 Member

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    #10
    They don't do any damage. But who'd want a hyphen in their domain name if you come to think of it? It just looks out of place.
     
    Adnan959, Jun 2, 2011 IP
  11. dcristo

    dcristo Illustrious Member

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    #11
    Because most good domains have been already taken.
     
    dcristo, Jun 2, 2011 IP
  12. iNET SEO

    iNET SEO Active Member

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    #12
    I can see why so many so-called SEO's fail now when they don't know the basics of what Google uses as triggers for spam sites - amazing! To these SEO's (and I use that term very broadly), I suggest you try and keep up with what SEO is all about, go to seminars, watch webinars, read books, etc... because you need to! If you don't, go and find another job because you should at least know the basics!

    Still, I guess this is the difference between the professionals and those who are self taught by reading poor advise.
     
    iNET SEO, Jun 3, 2011 IP
  13. dcristo

    dcristo Illustrious Member

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    #13
    ^ STFU you clown and get off your high horse. Clearly you are a copywriter and not a SEO. I've been in the SEO game since 2004 I understand the fundamentals of SEO and more importantly have high ranking hyphen domains! It's clowns like you that think they know what they are talking about when in fact their expertize leaves a lot to be desired.
     
    dcristo, Jun 3, 2011 IP
  14. indiarajasthan

    indiarajasthan Peon

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    #14
    It donot effect on seo any how . We use - only when we could not found our desired domain name
     
    indiarajasthan, Jun 3, 2011 IP
  15. stevenyoung

    stevenyoung Peon

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    #15
    Ultimately, a site with hyphens probably suffers in branding what it gains in SEO.

    For starters, it simply doesn’t look good, and it can cheapen a brand’s impact with some more web-savvy prospects. Given a choice, most people would prefer to visit casinoaffiliateprograms.com, not casino-affiliate-programs.com-because we just don’t really trust those hyphens. Think about it: Do any of your favorite, most trusted sites have hyphens in the domains?
     
    stevenyoung, Jun 3, 2011 IP
  16. dcristo

    dcristo Illustrious Member

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    #16
    Branding doesn't come into the equation when you are only driving traffic with SEO.
     
    dcristo, Jun 3, 2011 IP
  17. etc

    etc Well-Known Member

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    #17
    they al look the same in the eyes of the Search Engines. Now it depends to how you optimize your site.
     
    etc, Jun 3, 2011 IP
  18. bobharley2011

    bobharley2011 Peon

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    #18
    Well that depends on where you use the hypens or dashes.

    Agreed.

    I agree with iNET SEO already said. If you use 3 or more hypens on the domain, it really do look spammy. Most of the websites that uses more than two hypens are spam sites.
    ex.http://www.your-website.com = still good
        http://www.your-website-is-great-and-cool.com = spammy
    Code (markup):
    Although, if you use it to signify spaces in your sub folders it is of great use.
    ex. http://www.yourwebsite.com/store/category/item-number-1
        http://www.yourwebsite.com/store-number-1
    Code (markup):
    Not true. SEO already have evolve and I might say SEO is not all about the keywords anymore. It is more on how you promote your website. Social Media, B2B, and many more.

    Plus, it does affect your domain if you have keywords.
     
    bobharley2011, Jun 3, 2011 IP
  19. weknowonlinemarketing

    weknowonlinemarketing Peon

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    #19
    Hyphen (-) is known as the SEO friendly separator. So you can use this in your domain name. Your domain name will be SEO friendly. I'm sure.
     
    weknowonlinemarketing, Jun 3, 2011 IP
  20. iNET SEO

    iNET SEO Active Member

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    #20
    Of course you have :) And professional to the last I see!

    And if you were this so-called 'professional' then you would know that this is a trigger that Google looks at. At no time did I say that it would affect the ranking of a domain, but I did say this is a spam trigger for Google... So, if you have a choice between a domain with hyphens and one without, are you saying you would advice a client to to buy one with? I really suggest you pick up something other than SEO for Dummies and get down to what it is actually about.

    Yes, I am a copywriter as well, but that is what comes of being a professional, you can do much more for your clients than offer 'cheap SEO packages' and try and get people to buy forum signature links :)

    I also am happy to have discussions without feeling the need to be rude and tell people to 'STFU', but whatever floats your boat I guess :)

    Oh, and FYI, I have more than 200,000 1st page results for my clients, included in this 35,000 1st place positions

    Yeah, perhaps I don't know what I am doing ;)
     
    iNET SEO, Jun 3, 2011 IP