Facebook did not use Social Networking dot com, and it is the biggest on that topic. Here's a hypothetical situation: I am entering the online "shoes" retailing niche. I have products that include; shoes, trainers and flippers. Domain choice: either a domain with 'shoes' and/or 'trainers' OR a new brand name such as 'epinoux' or something. It's purely an e-commerce venture, and the website will be it's sole sales point. I want to target mid-long tail shoes and trainers related keywords. Ideally, getting as much Seach Engine traffic as possible. Given the above, would you choose a domain with targeted keywords or a general brand name that you could develop over time? My dilemma is that it seems in the short-run, keywords-in-domain seem better, but in the long-run, brand development may be more effective. I think branding is everything, any suggestions?
You are right, a keyword domain does make ranking alot easier, but as you have said you are going to go after long tail KW's anyway so you will probably do just as well regardless and it sounds that you really are keen on a brand name anyway, go with your gut instinct
Yeah for something like buying shoes online its kind of boring to begin with, go with brand name. Good examples are Nike and Zappos. Easily remembered name that can stick. They both have built up their brand through smart and thorough marketing.