Does Domain Name matter?

[law_order]

Let's say i have a domain name "www.CrazyNights.com" (random example)

If i want to build my site around the keyword phrase "crazy nights",do i have an advantage over other sites on a specific search engine due to my domain name?Or It doesn't matter at all?

For example,is it possible to rank above sites with much more links or higher Pagerank because of my domain name?

Thank you in advance.

 

[Micheal Kendal]

Most search engines do look at domain names when ranking pages, but the direct benefit of having keywords in your domain is very small.

There is also an indirect benefit to having a keyword-rich domain name: Search Engines like Google that factor link popularity into their ranking algorithms often also look at the anchor text of incoming links. In other words, the text used in a text link that points to your site should - as far as possible - contian your keyword. If your site is about crazy nights, you want people to link to you using "crazy nights" as the link text.

 

[weblord]

keywords placement does matter in domain names, you have an advantage when you're promoting and building around keywords for that domain, and there's possibility you will rank among first when combined with seo but then again content, development, script and promotion are one of the factors to be considered when ranking well on the search engines

 

[John Doe]

Shortly. Quality of site and backlinks are still most important for SERP. Having keywords in domain gives a small advantage because

1) search engines value somewhat keywords in domain name
2) each of your backlinks includes keywords
3) you may get some natural type-in traffic

 

[-REECE-]

Couldn't agree more.

My blog (4 Letter Noob) is about LLLL.coms and look where it ranks on Google for the search term "LLLL.coms"

A good domain helps, but quality backlinks and genuinely good content will go much, much further in the end

Google is always updating their algorithms -- even the best black hats will eventually lose out and most people who put too much focus on SEO often end up with a poorer rank than people like me who just focus on providing quality content. My blog is a PR 4 on a wordpress subdomain -- you don't need a great domain or even a domain at all to make a popular site -- just a good idea, a good marketing strategy, and something good to talk about that hopefully interests a large number of people.

Shortly. Quality of site and backlinks are still most important for SERP. Having keywords in domain gives a small advantage because

1) search engines value somewhat keywords in domain name
2) each of your backlinks includes keywords
3) you may get some natural type-in traffic

 

[Keral_Patel]

It is not always true that domain name matters. But yes it helps if it has keywords in it. Otherwise just do it the harder way

 

[law_order]

wow...Great answers guys....

It also seems to me,that certain search engines weight more keywords in domains than others...
However,while making some tests in google,i noticed that most first page results on two-word keywords,have those words in the domain name...

 

[John Doe]

Google tries to return the most relevant, useful results to our users and protect them from deceptive or misleading tactics.

Matt Cutts

Yes there are differences in ranking formulas. Some smaller search engines aren`t even able to recognize keyword in domain unless it is one word name or separated by hyphen. You can`t rely on domain though having keyword in it is rather good thing. Also, what works today may not work tomorrow. As already said by Reece, attracting interest and gaining trust of visitors can be the only long term sure bet for good ranking.

 

[ameRie]

Let's say i have a domain name "www.CrazyNights.com" (random example)

If i want to build my site around the keyword phrase "crazy nights",do i have an advantage over other sites on a specific search engine due to my domain name?Or It doesn't matter at all?

For example,is it possible to rank above sites with much more links or higher Pagerank because of my domain name?

Thank you in advance.

yes I think it does somehow.. it helps.. but that just one of the factors, don't forget what's most important is that you must do the right targeting (I assumed you already knew how to do the right targeting) in order for your keyword to rank well in SERPs.

 

[Hafsoh]

I believe different search engines place a varying degree of importance on the domain name.

Some domains may rank #1 in MSN simply because the domain name is the actual key phrase.
A similar effect happens in Yahoo!, whereas Google may rank it in the top 10, but not number one.

Domain name has some importance, but the best is to focus on building the best possible content for your site, update it with some frequency, generously link to other relevant sites, and use some basic search engine SEO tactics.

 

[bogart]

I'm another that beleives that keywords in the domain name help. Even keywords in the page name give some seo benefit.

 

[Corey]

Check out GoogleAdWords Keyword tool

https://adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal

 

[spinoza]

wow...Great answers guys....

It also seems to me,that certain search engines weight more keywords in domains than others...
However,while making some tests in google,i noticed that most first page results on two-word keywords,have those words in the domain name...

I am asking the same question lately, and I think Domain names are a key factor in Google ranking.
I am testing Google with two words keywords and It definitely put a lot of weight on the domain name.
Also, if you do a search on Google you will notice domains with keywords are bold.

Here is a website I've found with a lot of info:
http://www.seomoz.org/article/search-ranking-factors

 

[seven]

domain names

Domain Names and the extension of the domain can make a huge difference.

My interpretation is that if you have the exact keywords of what you want to be found under in the .com extension then Google views you as obviously having credibility in that topic because you are the .com and therefore must be highly relevant to those keywords. I've had sites indexed in days in the top 5 that had no business being there other than the fact that they were the exact keywords.

On the other end of the spectrum, I've had domains where it didn't matter.

Sometimes when I am helping someone with SEO, I'll grab other domain extensions just to take a chance that one of those sites catches high in the search engines.

I've seen it work and I've seen it not - both in semi-competitive keywords and low competitive keywords.

I think Google likes .org and .net similarly and .info fourth.

 

[MrCat]

Keywords in the domain name is a "plus" factor. The deciding factor would still on how well you would optimize your site for search engines.