Is the Domain Name still relevant for Ranking?

[Nekronomikon]

What do you think guys? Is the domain name still important for ranking or have the times changed?

 

[TwitterPanel]

Still important.

 

[Yellowcrow]

I think it has more influence on link attractiveness(?) than actual SEO.
For example:

If I search for gardening tips & the top results are from:
(i)www.randomstuff.com/gardeningtips
(ii)www.gardeningstuff.com/gardeningtips

I would go for the second option because subconsciously I would thing it has more authority even if I have no idea about domain authority & stuff.

Maybe more clicks leads to higher rankings and it gives off an image that having a keyword in domain names helps ranking rather then Google preferring it.

 

[Nekronomikon]

I think it has more influence on link attractiveness(?) than actual SEO.
For example:

If I search for gardening tips & the top results are from:
(i)www.randomstuff.com/gardeningtips
(ii)www.gardeningstuff.com/gardeningtips

I would go for the second option because subconsciously I would thing it has more authority even if I have no idea about domain authority & stuff.

Maybe more clicks leads to higher rankings and it gives off an image that having a keyword in domain names helps ranking rather then Google preferring it.

Yes, this could be the case. I think many people (including me) do that.

 

[Mr Positive]

Yes it’ll always be important

 

[CreateWealth]

Yes.

 

[Twynne]

Absolutely

 

[HiPurple]

Wow, a thread where people understand and appreciate the importance of a good domain name. I feel at peace now.

 

[Soiju]

It still important for exact keyword search. I tried to optimize one of my clients SEO but still lose to a competitor with no optimization but an exact keyword domain

 

[Area 51 Man]

Choosing the right domain is an important step if you want your web project to be successful in the long run. You should choose the domain name for the user, rather than for SEO reasons. A short, memorable domain name with thematic relevance and recognition is essential here.

 

[Nekronomikon]

Choosing the right domain is an important step if you want your web project to be successful in the long run. You should choose the domain name for the user, rather than for SEO reasons. A short, memorable domain name with thematic relevance and recognition is essential here.

I struggle a little bit with finding a domain name, because my niche keyword consists of two words. One of these words alone doesnt make sense. But the two words together are already taken as a domain. I feel like three words might be too long for a domain. What do you Think?

 

[HiPurple]

That depends upon the total length and whether the third word adds to the readability (radio test), credibility, brandability, and memorability of the domain name.

For example:

BeHereNow works
HotNewCars works
DuckDuckGo works
MaryJaneShoes works
DoubleEdgedSword works
CoffeeTeaOrMe works
TheDoctorIsIn works

TennisShoesApp doesn't work
HerbalTeaSuite doesn't work
HowToFindTheBestBargains247 doesn't work

etc.

 

[Area 51 Man]

I struggle a little bit with finding a domain name, because my niche keyword consists of two words. One of these words alone doesnt make sense. But the two words together are already taken as a domain. I feel like three words might be too long for a domain. What do you Think?

As you said, i think 3 words are too much for a domain name, except those words are short. What is your niche keyword? Maybe with the name we can help you.

 

[TravelingPizza]

Still important of course. However, it's probably not even in the top 20 ranking factors in Google's algorythm.

 

[thebat1980]

Memorable and unless you are a huge brand, base it around the offering you are providing. Short and sweet, ask older people (sounds odd but it works in terms of - will they recall it). Also, looks better in ads, social media etc.

I'd stick to main country extensions rather than the newer ones too. Also forget exact match, made me a killing years ago, now looks spammy and naff.

 

[YujinTan]

hmm subjective? Of course those top domain name already been owned by big company or some lucky individuals.

For an example Fashion, those domains pop up surely fashion.com , anything got a fashion word.

but how about apple . com? Everyone knows is a tech company but using a fruit name.

 

[nefariousn]

10 years ago this same topic was posted. People complained it was getting harder, more competition ect. I've been around but not active in internet marketing for the past 10-15 years and this has always been something people have said. But there will always be a way forward, in 10 years from now people will reminisce about the good old amazon affiliate days, and when you didnt have to "invest" 5K plus to rank or something like that, whatever the new problem will be then.

 

[YujinTan]

10 years ago this same topic was posted. People complained it was getting harder, more competition ect. I've been around but not active in internet marketing for the past 10-15 years and this has always been something people have said. But there will always be a way forward, in 10 years from now people will reminisce about the good old amazon affiliate days, and when you didnt have to "invest" 5K plus to rank or something like that, whatever the new problem will be then.

so what can you see in future?

 

[Nekronomikon]

As you said, i think 3 words are too much for a domain name, except those words are short. What is your niche keyword? Maybe with the name we can help you.

My niche is about australian shepherds

 

[nefariousn]

so what can you see in future?

Sorry I posted in the wrong thread, but yeah I think keyword is helpful in the domain like people say, its not as important it was before because you can brand yourself and become an authority then it doesnt matter, but it doesnt help if your brand name incorporates the keyword.