Keyword Phrase As Domain Name...

[errata]

All,

A buddy of mine who's sh1t-hot at SEO tells me that the best domain name is to use the main keyword phrase you want to rank with.

I've been fighting to get a site to rank using white-hat methods. I've got a ton more keyword phrase links than the top competition but a crappy domain name and I'm struggling to get and stick on page 1.

So how much difference does this make? Will I need 500 links more? Or twice as many links? Anybody got hard evidence on this?

Appreciate any insights into this, as I may just ditch my domain and buy something like "keywordphrase-site.com" or something.

Thanks,

Errata

 

[legendoflink]

It makes a difference because having the domain name as the keyword phrase tends to rank better on Google and also gives you the benefit of people direct typing it into their browser.

The problem is that you're using "white hat" methods.

 

[someotherguy]

Having the keywords in the domain is huge. I have a pile of keyword domains that have been parked for years and still rank in google (and get google traffic) mainly because they have the keywords in the name.

For an example (not my domain) search for "local hospitals" in google and the first link is a parked page.

 

[errata]

OK, so if the keyword phrase is gone, do I just look for a longer tail version of it, so I get the phrase I want + a useful extra word?

Like this:

red widgets gets 1,000 searches/day but the .com and .co.uk are already gone

red widgets uk gets 75 searches/day

So if I register redwidgetsuk.com will I still get the benefit for red widgets searches?

Oh - and as for using white hat methods - this is my website for my offline business - it's my full time professional income - so I don't want to risk Google getting the big ban stick out and whacking me round the head with it

Thanks,

errata

 

[ThomasDark]

to answer your question, yes! having a keyphrase as your domain is the easiest way to rank well!

and you can add an extra word, try not to complicate it, add world like cool, best, my, etc. or if you have an additional word you want to rank for, and it fits in with the phrase, then use it!- you will still rank for word1+word2 even if you have an extra word in there.

another tip, is ti use hyphens- (word1-word2.c0m) separating the words makes it easier for search engines. the only downside of this, is that it makes it difficult for people to remember or type, and those people are likely to type your competitors url instead (the one without hyphens)

hope this helps.

go to the google keyword tool to get some ideas,

 

[Sara]

Yes i have seen domains like keyword.com rank higher than wikipedia and Amazon etc with relatively NO back links so I am definately convinced that keywords in the name are important.

 

[BalingDazzer]

OK, so if the keyword phrase is gone, do I just look for a longer tail version of it, so I get the phrase I want + a useful extra word?

Like this:

red widgets gets 1,000 searches/day but the .com and .co.uk are already gone

red widgets uk gets 75 searches/day

So if I register redwidgetsuk.com will I still get the benefit for red widgets searches?

Oh - and as for using white hat methods - this is my website for my offline business - it's my full time professional income - so I don't want to risk Google getting the big ban stick out and whacking me round the head with it

Thanks,

errata

I personally wouldn't get redwidgetsuk.com, instead I'd get redwidgetsinfo.com or whatever other domain you can get by sticking in a word after/before you main keyword.

Because ultimately, it's real people that are going to be clicking on your ads, and if someone from the US would find your result #1, he'd probably click the second because you've got UK in the domain.

 

[twix70]

I was going to post a new thread but my question leads on nicely from this so here goes:
I have a site w3.xxx.cum which is just a business name but is established, however I also own a site with the keyword in the name(in fact I own several combinations of the keywords in domain names). Some of these rank with virtually no backlinks.
My questions is which is the best way to use them ie. re-direct or am I better building their search engine presence and using them as landing pages? If so how?
All thoughts greatly appreciated!

 

[twix70]

anyone?
[bump]

 

[lizard]

Try using keyword with dashes or an extra word:
red-widgets-hq
the-redwidgets-hq
redwidgets-store
best-redwidgets

etc.

 

[theroot]

I think that keywords in domain name are very important, but if you want a geo-target for your product, then ccTLD domain can rank high too.

 

[zzman]

After .com what is the best domain name for ranking or does it matter?

Should I then just get a .info and pay less or will I be better of for ranking with a .org or .net etc. and what is best?

 

[tommyownz]

Is there any difference in ranking between keyword.com and keyword.co.uk?
Thanks

 

[non-prophet]

After .com what is the best domain name for ranking or does it matter?

Should I then just get a .info and pay less or will I be better of for ranking with a .org or .net etc. and what is best?

Yes, i would like to know how .info names stand up to the others... some guidance would be appreciated.

Thanks to everyone posting here.

 

[dhenk]

i want to sell my domain http://lifehacknews.com contact me in [email protected]

 

[Bushman]

info domains dont really get picked up by google thats why they are cheap..
If you want high rankings...stay with .com

 

[nimbus49]

It helps a lot....my site ChronicAnxiety.org has been rated #1 for 6 months
because it's for the keywords "chronic anxiety" .....see?

My new site: GetWebsiteTraffic.org is already on page 4 after a week. The keywords are:
(you guessed it) "get website traffic".

 

[kikkoman]

What about switching places of the keywords? Say I want car insurance and all the good domains are taken. Is insurancecar.com as good as carinsurance.com for google?

 

[bijikpalir]

What about switching places of the keywords? Say I want car insurance and all the good domains are taken. Is insurancecar.com as good as carinsurance.com for google?

You will rank easier for insurancecar.com but need more backlinks with proper anchor text for carinsurance.com.

 

[JamesAtlas]

Having the kw in domain really helps. I have a competitor with a kw domain that I will NEVER overtake because of it. I just have to settle for being 2nd.