Domain Keywords - Do they really matter?

[metrisoft]

Ok, I just purchased a keyword-rich geo .com from a domain reseller for $100. The domain actually consists of 3 words, whose 3 words together produce an impressive 27,000 "exact" Google searches per month. I purchased this domain for development purchases.

However, after my purchase I started thinking, "What if I took any loosely related domain name and did SEO targeting on the 3 keywords? Wouldn't I have mostly the same SERP results?" My understanding is that domain keywords and extensions are of minimal importance when Google ranks a site.

So, why is everyone so focused on keyword-rich .coms and willing to spend lots of money to get them? Am I missing something?

 

[bmugford]

There are people who will say only SEO matters, but having the exact term that is searched does help it in most search engines.

I will always use Word Tracker / Google Search to see how popular a term is. I will also look at the PPC Sponsors and Bids. The more popular a term is, the more popular an exact domain match will be, especially with keywords that are easily monetized.

If you are starting a domain on the Stock Market, StockMarket.com would be much easier to use than some "Brandable"

It is also more desirable to an end user. If I was a company that sold Pickles, I would rather have Pickles.com than something "Brandable"

Having a domain that is relevant, and immediately explains what you offer is also a benefit in itself.

 

[yellowfishdesigns]

> Another point...

Ever watch old people surf the web?

I have, and it's scary. LOL!

If they want to find someting on diet pills...do you know what they do? They don't go to google and type "diet pills"...they open a browser and type in a URL like this:

http://www.dietpills.com

I've seen it a million times....my mother does it, my grandmother does it, my step father does it...

That's the reason to get the domains that have hot key words in them...

On the flip side, Google likes GOOD, no GREAT content....so both aspects matter a whole bunch!

good luck dude!

 

[elfsites]

It is scary sometimes. I watched someone type in the wrong URL for a cruising company and end up to a parked page, then click a link that said something vaguely similar to what she was thinking of, and when I pointed out it wasn't the right site, she said it looked identical, when in fact they were completely different.

 

[duceman]

If you are starting a domain on the Stock Market, StockMarket.com would be much easier to use than some "Brandable"

It is also more desirable to an end user. If I was a company that sold Pickles, I would rather have Pickles.com than something "Brandable"

Good post,
That is where compound keywords and niche/geo markets come in.

If I sell kosher pickles in Texas I'd love to have KoscherPickles.com, TexasPickles.com, TexasKoscherPickles.com etc

This is where the real nuggets are still available.

 

[Corey]

Try Google AdWords: Keyword Tool

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

Cheers
Corey