What is the scoop on getting exact or partical name domains? For example: BestDentist.com like: Best Dentist This is domain is just an example, however, for the real domain; googles results: 699m results BestDentists.com Best Dentists same as above; google results: 297m results as you know, the only difference in the domains is an "s" at the end of the domain, and the results change very significantly. I understand this practice has no seo value, but why not get a domain that flows with what people are looking for... Obviously I would have to do more to get good rankings. What do you guys think?
You have to look at what the domain is going to be used for. I was running some hill repeats a while ago and on this hill was a medical practice called "my family doctor" and I figured it was a major fail. First up, if you get recommended them and google to get the number you don't have a shit show in hell of getting that practice on page #1. I gave it a try and added the suburb name (which is also a well-established surname) and the practice was nowhere to be seen. Then you've got two neighbours talking: Which Dr do you go to? My Family Dr Well, yeah, but which dr? Then you've got the idea of "best dentist" and "best dentists" - I'm lost at trying to predict what those people thought they'd get returned to them. Who the hell would rely on a google search to qualify the concept of "best"? - unless the dentist was Mr/Ms/Mrs Best. You need to know what those people are truly searching for so that they stay on your site or else you'll just end up with a phenomenal bounce rate and that will hurt with google (surely). I'd also be researching your target market and finding out if they even notice the link and if they trust an exact match. I'm sure many don't notice the link iteself but I do know that if I'm looking for, say, medical info I'll trust a site with a medical office kind of name such as www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov over what-is-my-rash.com You also need to know what their motivation is in doing the search. Are they ready to buy/act/close? I view activewear shopping sites reasonably often, but only occasionally have my wallet (and, therefore, credit card) with me. The time you really want to catch my attention is when I'm in "buy mode". Personally, I'd look at keyword phrases that reflect what people use when they are ready to buy or commit to an action. The big talent then comes from being able to tell the difference and that is why real businesses with real experience and real customers will do better when they team up with an SEO than someone who targets keywords because there are lots of hits or the cost per click is high.
Ok, that was a bad example. Lets try another... This just an example: BestCameraReview.com Google Results For Real Domain: 699m BestCameraReviews.com Google Results for Real domain: 297m As you can see, it is generic, exact match to my domain, and somewhat targeted to the niche. If someone were looking for cameras or camera reviews and they saw the url, then they may think it would be something to check out... I know if I were looking for camera or camera reviews, and i saw this url, then common sense says "at least check it out..." Is this a better example? What do you think now? Of course, brand is always best, but with 100m names, and most likely 99.9% have been taken, and I am just one person... so I try to think up domain that best describes what I am selling, and in my example, it is Best Camera Reviews....
In that example brand probably wouldn't be best if the user was likely to be searching for impartial information prior to purchase and they'd be people in the "likely to act" group too. Those two sets of examples are great contrasts and prove that there are no easy answers!
My reason is somewhat simple...I have seen people turn theirownname.com into authority sites, however, that does take time, if I am able to turn this into an authority site, then does the name not somewhat become fitting? Best Camera Reviews and you are right about name brand; because of it was Nikon Camera Reviews then the entire site would only cater to Nikon Cameras, so with the name being Best Camera Reviews, then that opens the door for any/all cameras... (That does not mean I can or will cover all cameras, but that does leave the door open to cross camera platforms if I need too...)
I suspect it would be easier to turn a personally named site into an authority than something with a keyword name but, either way, it's going to take time and considerable effort. I don't know the algorithm and haven't studied it at all but if I was at Google I'd be looking at what the repeat visitor rate was and time on page. A site built around a personality (eg ask dave taylor) might find that easier than it would with a keyword name.
that does make sense, however, even google would have to understand that it takes time; I think we all have been too sites, nope, thats not it, and bounced right on out the door... Your idea is not bad, however, I think AskMyWife.com would sound much better... heck, she cant keep her mouth shut, she would be giving advice all day long... for example: Ask (Wife) Camera Reviews AskWife.com name sounds more personal, rather then some cheap domain such as "Best Camera Reviews" and when someone sees a name, then they can relate much better, and know someone is real on the other side working on their behalf... In away, it makes the site sound more legitimate. I realize that no site will become authority overnight, however, it does not have to become full authority like google to make money, and I certainly do not expect it to start earning $1000/wk next month... and I may not even attempt to monetize it for awhile....