New domain name - is it OK to use the word "and" in between?

Discussion in 'Search Engine Optimization' started by seovegas, Jun 27, 2010.

  1. #1
    I am trying to choose a domain name. The 2 words I am trying to rank for are already taken. So, I thought I would make it 3 words, but then I had another idea. Try to rank for 2 different combinations of words. So, for example (this is just a random example)

    Chicagohotels.com is already taken
    So, instead and I was thinking I would go for Chicagohotelsandresorts.com

    This way, I could try and rank for "Chicago hotels" and "Chicago resorts."

    Does this make sense? Or is it better to just go after "Chicago hotels" and use something like Chicagohotelsonline.com or OnlineChicagohotels.com?

    Thanks for your input!
     
    seovegas, Jun 27, 2010 IP
  2. Chuckun

    Chuckun Well-Known Member

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    #2
    Wouldn't you be better off trying to find a different synonym? In this case something like ChicagoAccommodation or even scrap synonyms and try something totally different yet relevant like StayAtChicago then target 'resorts' and 'hotels' with your head and content? ie; Chicago Accommodation - Hotels and Resorts in Chicago or Stay at Chicago - find resorts and hotels in chicago..

    Sure your "and" option gives you prime URL keywords, and I may be wrong, but the use of 'and' just seems a bit lame to me..

    It'll be okay for SEO though - better without, but you can't help that.. I just think if it's possible, you should get your head down on thesaurus.com and find an good synonym for your keyword!

    Chuckun
     
    Chuckun, Jun 27, 2010 IP
  3. shakingspear

    shakingspear Peon

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    #3
    I agree. The "and" isn't really terrible, but you might have better luck finding a synonymous word.
     
    shakingspear, Jun 27, 2010 IP
  4. seovegas

    seovegas Peon

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    #4
    I thought you got extra "credit" from Google if you used the keywords you are targeting in the domain name? that's why I was thinking of using "and."
     
    seovegas, Jun 27, 2010 IP
  5. Aspiring Geek

    Aspiring Geek Peon

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    #5
    Hi,

    IMO the more focused your domain on your targetted keyword, the more weight it will get on Google. Putting "and" on your domain will lessen the weight on your keywords on your domain. IMHO
     
    Aspiring Geek, Jun 27, 2010 IP
  6. Chuckun

    Chuckun Well-Known Member

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    #6
    You do get a better weight to your keywords if they're in your domain yes, but if you can avoid using 'and' by using a synonym of your originally chosen keyword then you'll get an even better weight.
     
    Chuckun, Jun 27, 2010 IP
  7. seo4me

    seo4me Well-Known Member

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    #7
    you can use and no problem but synonyms will be the better option out of the two
     
    seo4me, Jun 27, 2010 IP
  8. browntwn

    browntwn Illustrious Member

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    #8
    I know the Chicago Hotel was just an example but I would certainly use the word "and" instead of using something like "ChicagoAccommodation" That is lame at least for US audience, and nobody searches using those terms. Much better to use the word "and" then to pick a lame synonym that, while it may mean the same thing, nobody searches for.
     
    browntwn, Jun 27, 2010 IP
  9. wineguppy

    wineguppy Peon

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    #9
    I would check on Google's traffic estimator tool to see which terms are most searched. Having an exact match for a popular keyword will help you rank for that word much easier.
     
    wineguppy, Jun 27, 2010 IP
  10. browntwn

    browntwn Illustrious Member

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    #10
    I know it was just an example, but there is a reason to use the word hotel and not some synonym.

    Yeah, checking what people are actually searching is always a good idea. Here is what I see in Google Suggest for "chicago hotel" and "chicago accommodation":


    Personally, in this example, I would stick with the word "hotel" and "and" instead of "accommodation"
     
    browntwn, Jun 27, 2010 IP
  11. pandorasbox

    pandorasbox Active Member

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    #11
    yes it is perfectly ok, the first part chicago hotels will be considered for the organic part of the domain and chicago resorts will be secondary for seo strength. Just make sure that is the order you put them in your title, description and keywords for meta tags and remember to use the entire keywords trying to rank for, do not break it off example.
    title-chicago hotel, chicago resorts it is faster for seo than putting chicago hotel and resort
     
    pandorasbox, Jun 28, 2010 IP
  12. Bohol

    Bohol Peon

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    #12
    I know of a domain name with an "an" in its url: It is an interview with myself domain. I think this is okay so long as you optimize the domain.
     
    Bohol, Jun 28, 2010 IP
  13. Chuckun

    Chuckun Well-Known Member

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    #13
    Well Accommodation was the first synonym I thought of - and obviously I knew the hotel thing was just an example so what did it matter? For his real keyword he may be able to find a BETTER synonym - that's all I was saying.
     
    Chuckun, Jun 28, 2010 IP
  14. Mikael10

    Mikael10 Peon

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    #14
    you can use 'and' or you can use some prefixe or suffixe like good, great...no matter - because you could have chigagohotelsandressort.com for example and a specific url like chicagohotelandressort.com/chigagohotel.html - you get the keyword in the url and you can promote it as well
     
    Mikael10, Jun 28, 2010 IP
  15. seovegas

    seovegas Peon

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    #15
    Thanks for all of the suggestions and the great input. Really appreciate it. I looked at the keyword tool and this term I am targeting doesn't have as many options as Chicago Hotel. Otherwise, I would have chosen a 3 letter keyword (like Chicago Hotel Reviews) and optimized for both Chicago Hotel and Chicago Hotel Reviews. So, I am stuck with either "and" or putting a prefix or suffix that nobody searches for (less than 50 per month) for the prefix or suffix and the keyword.

    Also, I am new to the forum - if I receive great input, am I supposed to leave feedback or give points or do something that helps someone's status? Just wondering.
     
    seovegas, Jun 28, 2010 IP
  16. Chuckun

    Chuckun Well-Known Member

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    #16
    You've no obligation to, but you can leave reputation points to people by clicking the little star (that looks more like a sherif badge) in at the bottom-left corner of someone's post ^_^
     
    Chuckun, Jun 29, 2010 IP
  17. nab

    nab Peon

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    #17
    This might be useful for you seovegas (there are two vidoes):

    noblesamurai.com/blog/domains/domain-name-seo-1324
     
    nab, Jun 29, 2010 IP
  18. ericgray83

    ericgray83 Peon

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    #18
    agree with this..
     
    ericgray83, Jun 29, 2010 IP