Robert2011

I own a good two-word (dictionary) .co domain name related to online earning opportunities. I am currently developing a website that will fit this domain. The content and style will be unique (no templates).

From an SEO point of view, would it be better to develop my website on the .co domain, or instead buy a .com domain? For my limited budget, the .com will inevitably have an inferior name in terms of length and keywords than the existing .co
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/search-engines/742073-advice-needed-on-co-domain-website.html

So basically it boils down to:

1) Does Google penalise .co domains?
2) Is the domain name and extension that important, or is it content and backlinks that count?

I'm fairly new to this, so advice welcome

ritedomains

I would buy the .com and if the .co is worth anything use it for forward to your .com, .co is not worth much in English .

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enlytend

No, but people may be less inclined to click on an unfamiliar URL and searcher behavior seems to be gaining influence as a ranking factor.

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MicroGuy

Don't use a .CO domain EVER and don't limit yourself to just the .COM names that are available. If you are going to develop, spending a little more on a parked .COM will be worthwhile the money in the long term. I think most parked .COMs can be negotiated down to no more than low $x,xxx. The price of one month's lease on a decent storefront.

It's better to open a business on main street that down a back alley on the wrong side of town. IMO.

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namenut

If you are willing to reg and use a .co then you should be willing to use domainnameCO.com and then reg the domainname.CO to support it be directed to.

Your quality of content, relativity of content, frequency of new content and links to your content will dictate you G[][]G position.


NN

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Robert2011

Thanks for the advice guys. I will certainly look into getting a .com

hopkism

From my personal experience content is king. Although I have thus far only developed .com's, content is what has gotten me to the front of Google and traffic, not a fancy domain name. In fact, my domain names are not necessarily that great...

Best of luck to you in your development. Stay away from .co domains because they are a marketing trap from GoDaddy and others.

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MicroGuy

EXCELLENT advice!

When ever in doubt, just refer to this rule of thumb. You might even want to tattoo it on your typing fingers. (())

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dragtastic

1) Does Google penalise .co domains? - NO
2) Is the domain name and extension that important, or is it content and backlinks that count? - Domain name is important, but establish quality content is also very important along with social media.
I have a developed .co that gets about 5,000-10,000 unique visits a month which isnt ground breaking but its something that produces a steady income from adsense and direct advertising - all due to proper social media marketing and quality content.

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karanwalia

Google won't penalize you for using .co extension, but it is wise to go for .com websites..

trsaso

Then why google have registered g.co ?

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sdsinc

It's just a redirect, not their main domain. They also have g.cn and others.

Nothing wrong with alt TLDs, as long as they are not used for 'serious' projects or high-profile business ventures.

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kathyNorms

.co is new extension, So, Price is too high now

ElinaDoney

Question to your answers

1) Does Google penalise .co domains?
2) Is the domain name and extension that important, or is it content and backlinks that count?

Answer 1) Google Doesnt Penalize .co domains. It depends if you are targeting Geographically or globally

Answer 2)Content is King and Back links are queen. both are important. Google is becoming smarter day by day .

Lets take an example; if you are targeting aussi customers for buying facebook likes than ideal domain would be buyfacebookfans.com.au. If you are targeting Globally it would be buyfacebookfans.com. But make sure you have Copyscape passed content and build one way back links; Make sure you dont buy any links, Recently Google is been penalizing Link buys
????: NamePros.com http://www.namepros.com/showthread.php?t=742073

Thanks
Elina