How bad are hyphens?

Discussion in 'Domain Names' started by Shrapnel-rar, Mar 1, 2009.

  1. #1
    I am interested to know how bad hyphens in domain name's is seen to be.

    I'm currently in the process of creating a site and brought a domain with 2 keywords separated by a hyphen which are ideal for my site.

    Is it worth me continuing building it for this name or should i instead use a name with weaker keywords but that do not include the hyphen?

    Thanks :).
     
    Shrapnel-rar, Mar 1, 2009 IP
  2. UAA

    UAA Active Member

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    #2
    if you have strong keywords then hyphens don't effect anything

    keyword1-keyword2 is same as keyword1keyword2

    and some people say that hyphens are better for SEO :rolleyes:
     
    UAA, Mar 1, 2009 IP
  3. ainmohd

    ainmohd Peon

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    #3
    It is a myth that SEs don't like hypenated domains.
     
    ainmohd, Mar 1, 2009 IP
  4. save

    save Active Member

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    #4
    Yes there are quite a few good names available in hyphens and they work well except in some off-line situations, where it is a bit tricky to promote by telling people it has a hyphen etc.
     
    save, Mar 1, 2009 IP
  5. Shrapnel-rar

    Shrapnel-rar Peon

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    #5
    Thanks all for the help.
     
    Shrapnel-rar, Mar 1, 2009 IP
  6. michael221

    michael221 Peon

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    #6
    The only problem I see with hyphenated domain names is that they are not very user-friendly which means they are not easy for your website visitors to remember. A concise domain name is very good from the visitors point of view but might not be as good from SE point of view since it doesn't include your most important keywords. However if the domain with your target keywords is already taken by someone else, then the only option is to register one with hyphens. And of course, you can still have your visitors remember your domain with the "Add to Favorites" button on your site.
     
    michael221, Mar 1, 2009 IP
  7. aloksharma

    aloksharma Well-Known Member

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    #7
    Hypens and numbers are not at all good in a domain name.

    Now take yourself for example. You know that digitalpoint.com domain and you access it by typing digitalpoint.com.

    Now someone wants to take advantage of this name. They will register digital-point.com domain. No matter how hard that guy works to promote digital-point.com domain, people will always type digitalpoint.com.

    You see, average number of people never consider numbers of hyphens in domain names and you should too avoid using them.

    Hope that helps you friend.
     
    aloksharma, Mar 1, 2009 IP
  8. £££

    £££ Peon

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    #8
    Hyphens are absolutely fine for development purposes, don't use any more than 2 though.

    If for standalone domain investment purposes, they're no good, or pretty much useless compared to domains without them.
     
    £££, Mar 1, 2009 IP
  9. samirindia

    samirindia Peon

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    #9
    hypen are good but not more then 2... :)
     
    samirindia, Mar 2, 2009 IP
  10. jiggymehta

    jiggymehta Peon

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    #10
    ya a single hyphen works at times..but its not necessary..and it does not help in SEO..
     
    jiggymehta, Mar 2, 2009 IP
  11. MooBaa

    MooBaa Peon

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    #11
    Hyphens are fine but as stated I wouldn't have more than 2 hyphens in a domain name. Hyphens dont help in seo, but they dont hurt either and if all the good keyword domains have gone then that's the next best solution.
     
    MooBaa, Mar 2, 2009 IP
  12. Pixelrage

    Pixelrage Peon

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    #12
    They're a nightmare for branding a site. I wouldn't even consider branding a website that has a hyphened TLD.
     
    Pixelrage, Mar 2, 2009 IP
  13. vernonjohn

    vernonjohn Peon

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    #13
    I fully agree with you! :)
     
    vernonjohn, Mar 2, 2009 IP
  14. napa

    napa Peon

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    #14
    Exactly, why make it more difficult?

     
    napa, Mar 3, 2009 IP
  15. ainmohd

    ainmohd Peon

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    #15
    napa,

    Brand (marketing) such sites is difficult because it is not easy to remember them.
     
    ainmohd, Mar 3, 2009 IP
  16. Reprobate

    Reprobate Guest

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    #16
    I'm not a big fan, but Coca-Cola use their .com with the hyphen for all their marketing and branding.
     
    Reprobate, Mar 4, 2009 IP
  17. supersundas

    supersundas Peon

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    #17
    theres no problems with hyphens, a long as the domain name is relevant to content
     
    supersundas, Mar 4, 2009 IP
  18. justinlorder

    justinlorder Peon

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    #18
    Personally, I believe hyphen in a domain don't have negative to seo .
     
    justinlorder, Mar 5, 2009 IP
  19. Dreamerr

    Dreamerr Peon

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    #19
    The only people that don't like hyphens are certain domainers - users and search engines have no problems with them so I say go for it!
     
    Dreamerr, Mar 5, 2009 IP
  20. hecto

    hecto Well-Known Member

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    #20
    As far as I have seen domains with hyphens sell less then domains without. I personally am not the greates fan of hyphens in domains. It could also be a cultural thing because I know in Germany for example they have them more then in the UK or you certainly see those kind of domains a lot more in Germany.
     
    hecto, Mar 5, 2009 IP