Is there any reason to absolutely avoid domain names with hyphens from a search engine optimization perspective? I get where people would not like to type the hyphens, but would such a domain name optimize well search engine wise around keywords that matched the words between hyphens? Example... dallas-cowboys.com new-york-yankees.com atlanta-georgia.com
Yes search engine treats hyphen as space. Only negative things is it's hard to remember as you are already aware. There are some cases when hyphens are needed because search engine can not split the words properly.
Don't go with a hyphen unless you absolutely have to, as mentioned its hard for your customers to remember. I would just create a subpage with the keyword your after as the extension of that page .html
The only value of using or hyphen or not is for branding reasons. SEO wise it doesn't matter which way you go, crawls can find words in ANY domain phrase, there isn't situations where it doesn't as long as the words are in the know dictonary.
I would argue many users prefer hyphens particularly when running words merge to take a reverse say you have a site dedicated to finding and catching rapists then you may well want the domain the-rapist rather then therapist dumb example but you get the point. Where it becomes more of an issue is the get-rich-with-loads-of-spam-keywords though its not the hyphen at fault in that scenario
nobody cares anymore. Most people are savvy enough to remember to use a hyphen or not. I personally think they are dumb, but if it is your only option, then go right ahead. This is a nice hyphenated domain name: http://www.tell-me-about-refinancing.com hehe.
I'll state it again before the mis-information arise, from an SEO point of view there is no difference, search engines can find keywords in your domain. Actually, the domain doesn't even need one keyword and you can STILL rank #1. Look below at my site. www.nowthatshumor.com #2 - Funny Pictures (Google SERP, 25,000,000+ results) #5 - Funny Pics (Google SERP, 10,000,000+ results) Not a single keyword in the domain
But ssandecki...I look at your domain and think it is actually titled: Now That Shumor. Who is Shumor?! just kidding with you. Go Bears -Tony
Well, I guess you have to root for the Steelers now! hehehe....GO STILLERS! WE ARE BRINGING DOWN THE PATS!
Pats are going 17-0 this year, should of been 16-0 with the superbowl loss to the bears! Miami might get a new record, 0-17 LMAO