Adding A Word Or Using Dashes For EMD?

Jinko · Mar 23, 2012

Hi all,

Got some new domains I'm going to buy later but some of the EMD's are taken on all the extensions I would consider using.

In this situation, which method is best to use? Adding dashes between the words e.g. keyword-keyword-keyword. com / or adding an extra word or letter at the end e.g.keywordguide. com or keywordx. com

First time I've not bought an EMD so advice appreciated, thanks.

balsagoth007 · Mar 23, 2012

Daches look unprofessional, go with a prefix or suffix.

OldSalt · Mar 23, 2012

For me it depends on the topic. Adding a prefix or suffix often narrows my topic too much so I'd rather add a single hypen... I seriously doubt that many people won't click on a #1 spot if the domain has a hypen in it but I do think the wrong prefix or suffix might.

Example:
They are looking to buy a white card table and search for white card tables
I doubt they would hesitate to click on white-cardtables.com
but might think twice about whitecardtablesinfo.com or whitecardstableguide.com (cause they didn't want info or a guide, they wanted to BUY one). But what if you added 'products' to the end for buyers and they just wanted a guide or information? The extra word MAY make them think twice.

But either should be able to be ranked with good SEO and backlinks...

travanx · Mar 23, 2012

I just bought a domain for my gf and talked her out of the hyphen because I think it doesn't look as good. But the post above is right, a hyphen looks better than the wrong suffix or prefix.

LakeForest · Mar 23, 2012

OP, I'm guessing the .net/.org for your EMDs are the extensions you'd want to use but already registered.

Pluralizing the keyword isn't a terrible idea. If you add a longtail, make sure it's relevant to what you'd like to do with the site. If you have MS, look at the domain section and check out the prefixes/suffixes

stevendomz · Mar 23, 2012

if i were you, i would like to chose a cool word or may be a letter but not the dash thing*

randomsoftwaregroup · Mar 23, 2012

Dashes work fine ... have never seen a decrease in CTR with that. Other options, depending on your niche would be adding 411 to the end since in many places 411 signifies information, if it is for a certain country add usa, or etc infront of the keyword, or just add a com to it ... keywordcom.com

Jinko · Mar 23, 2012

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Somewhat of a mixed response but I have the arguments for and against each method to make a decision.

Thank you

OldSalt · Mar 23, 2012

Jinko said:
Thanks for the feedback everyone. Somewhat of a mixed response but I have the arguments for and against each method to make a decision.

Thank you

A mixed response usually would mean that there isn't a definitive 'best practice' so you just do what feels or looks most right to you.

hiimanshu · Mar 23, 2012

try suffix or prefix and see result yourself.

aZooZa · Apr 2, 2012

I'd certainly go the hyphen route. What doesn't look good cosmetically may be viewed in a better light by Google.

illfounded21 · Apr 3, 2012

So, using the earlier example. Which in your opinion is better:
http://www.buytables.com or http://www.buy-tables.com?

Im deciding atm between the 2 for a domain of mine, and just cant. Im not looking to build a site, but just to try and flip the domain name for some profit.

illfounded21 · Apr 3, 2012

Also- do you choose to hide your personal info or not?? I have no experience with this so am not sure. I worry it will make me look like I have something to hide, thus making the potential flip harder.

Mountaineer · Apr 3, 2012

illfounded21 said:
So, using the earlier example. Which in your opinion is better:
www.buytables.com or www.buy-tables.com?

Im deciding atm between the 2 for a domain of mine, and just cant. Im not looking to build a site, but just to try and flip the domain name for some profit.

Non-hyphen is way to go always if you have to choose one.

illfounded21 · Apr 3, 2012

Woops I have just went for 2 hyphened ones, when the non-hyphened versions were available... I swear they looked better

aZooZa · Apr 4, 2012

Now grab the unhyphenated ones to cover your mistake. If someone else takes and develops them, you'll kick yourself

Troshi · Apr 4, 2012

Never use hyphens if you can help it. .net/org are also better than hyphens to me. I personally would go as far as to say .info/us/me are also better than anything with a "-"

aZooZa · Apr 4, 2012

Yep, definitely a .net over a hyphen. There are a gazillion available where the .com is taken. You only have to compare zone file counts to see that.

Smart SEO · Apr 4, 2012

If the keyword was "car insurance"

i would rather have a domian

www.carinsurancee.com (notice extra e at the end)
rather than
www.car-insurance.com

Adding A Word Or Using Dashes For EMD?

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