How important is the domain name regarding SEO? Are there any benefits to having target keywords in the name?
Hey there, Domain name selection is semi-important. If you can get a highly competitive keyword in your domain name, that will be beneficial. Good luck finding a good one though If users can not remember your domain name, then they probably will not come back. So you have to take that into consideration as well. Sincerely, Travis Walters
Keywords in the domain name are welcome, however, they are not crucial. It gives a boost, but you still need onpage and offpage optimization.
It can help alot, for instance search "establishes" on Google.com and the number #1 is a domain i bought and it hit top spot with 2 backlinks. It doesn't even contain the word on the page, title or description and number #2 is a whitehouse.gov PR7 page. So that ranking is totally due to domain name.
Great example sweetfunny It can actually help quite a lot. Thats why youll see lots of sites with things like www.weight-loss-program.com. Although, for a highly competitive term like that one it probably wont be too much help
domain name helps when you are already in the top serps and needs those munute differentiation between other websites out there, true for highly competitive keywords For less competitive keywords, that hardly makes any difference, u can grab the top spots just by onpage optimisation
We had a client that was wanting to rank for the keyword printing, and now hes in the top 10 for the keyword printing. The thing is his rankings when up very fast because of his domain age, and generally when your domain is older the more effective your link building campaign will become. For example you have a domain dated back in 2002 you build links into it lets say you build 100 links into it it would be way more effective then what a domain in 2007 would be you would have to build 10 times as much into a new domain to have the same effect if you get my drift... Subscribe to my feed and learn how I achieved top competitive rankings http://www.dewittsmedia.com/seo-blogs/
Many domain marketers will purchase domains containing their keyword / keyphrase - even highly competitive ones. What they do to make it less "spammy" than for example, "my-great-keyword-among-many-other-sites.com". So they'll use "greatkeyword-z.com" - see how just a simple 1 character in the name will make it unique enough to obtain, even among high competition.
I believe that keywords in domain still have a value in SERP. It can still help you improved your keyword rankings.
Yeah, that hyphen thing is not cool. You want to get keywords in the domain but keep it short and not spammy. Don't try to get every targeted keyword in your domain.
if you can find 2 word domains (with "-" or not) you are golden I think I have begun experimenting finding 3-word domains. 2 words are fairly rare, but can be found. One word... Well, make sure to take your vitamins because it will take a long time to find them However, that said, I saw "buscar.com" (I think) which means "search" (if I remember correctly) go for very little in an action. A little creativity can go a long way.
Ok, while I agree that a keyword in a Domain name May in fact apply some weight in the algorithm such as - marketing-techniques.com -, The usage of such keywords (In my opinion) simply show a field & NOT a company. To me, I would much rather have a Unique Name Branded (E.g. Scorpion Agency) that no one else has & Optimize it for the field specific keywords & phrases. Why?, Simply because I want my company Name branded on ones brain to tell their friends & family about as I grow (Branded Repeat / referral Concept), rather than a term that will bring up thousands (If not Millions) of competitors. When "Nike, Playstation, Or Sunkist" first started out, they could have went with a name like "Great Shoes, Best Video games, Or Carbonated Soda Pop" - Yet they choose to go with a Unique "Brandable" name - I think it all boils down to whether you want a Long lasting Professional Brandable company with high expectations of future growth & expansion (Thus the Unique brandable name) Or you simply want the get rich quick (Engine Manipulating) Common, Everyday, Look at me I'm just like everyone else Name. Granted Brandable names tend to take some time - Repetition & Consistency - while the engine manipulating name can be effective within a few weeks. Neither one is wrong - they each server a purpose - Only you can decide how you want to be perceived in the eyes of the consumer. Just my 2 cents, as I always say, Whats my opinion compared to millions of others though?
If you have your keyword in your domain then anyone that links to the URL will be using the keyword in the anchor. So yes domain name is important from this point of view.
You can make a massively successful site without having keywords in the domain name. This applies if you are trying to establish a brand/reputation. Keyword is useful for domain name ... but a lot of business still comes over the telephone, radio, telly etc. If you just want to nail SE traffic then it will help a bit.
And the best advice to give a client that wants you to build and market their small internet only business is : incorporate keywords into your domain is highly recommended!
I believe that main keyword in domain name really matters alot. It works as back support to website. However, you have to optimize your website (On-page & Off-page) also. Without proper optimization, only good domain name is not a solution.