Hyphen Domains

[domaino]

What are everyone's thoughts on hyphen domains? Do you register hyphen domains? Would you consider registering a hyphen domain? Do you "fear" the hyphen?

I personally like hyphen domains, I think they retain excellent aftermarket value. One glance through the "another hyphen sale" thread shows us the potential of what I believe is a relatively untapped section of the market.

Recent sales include:

e-mails.de: $31, 582 | New-York.info: $22,864 | Music-Videos.com: $25,000

This is a subject I've been blogging on recently mainly because, as of late, I've been snapping up my fair share of hyphen domains. I don't believe end-users are as put off by the hyphen as certain domainers appear to be (I don't want to be seen to making generalisations here, but I have noticed a sizable number of domainers who avoid hyphen domains altogether).

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

 

[hugegrowth]

If it is two strong keywords, like in your examples, then hyphens are ok to me, especially in .com. Check any popular two word phrases and they are already taken in .com with the hyphen. I see more hyphen sales in the weekly sales reports each week. They are fine in search engines and in print advertising, even sometimes help to separate the words and make them clearer. I see them being used more and more by end users. I own hyphen domains myself. As demand for domains continues to grow, more people will turn to hyphen domains if they can't get their first choice.

 

[gazzip]

I hate them....horrible little things





.

 

[bmugford]

I love hyphens for development.

The main downside of a hyphen is type in traffic, but the real truth is unless you have a real premium like StockMarket.com or something, 2-3 word domains rarely get all that much type in traffic to start with.

For development the hyphenated names work the same, or better.

The hyphenated domain sales are strong also. Many end users don't care that much about a hyphen. I have sold several to end users.

 

[camille7_7]

I like to own them for development purposes....but I think most of them would be hard to sell to an end user: I have not tried to sell one though so that is my opinion.

I have a few that make a little parking and as mini-sites.
So I always consider buying a hyphen if I like it or can do something with it.

-Thanks
-Aaron

 

[bmugford]

One of the problems on Namepros is it is mainly from a domainer's viewpoint. That is only one small part of the market as a whole.

I can tell from experience strong two word domains, with a well placed hyphen do sell well. I have sold several.

I have seen situations where an end user, especially someone who is not a domain expert, will reg the hyphenated version first.

Brad

I like to own them for development purposes....but I think most of them would be hard to sell to an end user: I have not tried to sell one though so that is my opinion.

I have a few that make a little parking and as mini-sites.
So I always consider buying a hyphen if I like it or can do something with it.

-Thanks
-Aaron

 

[domaino]

And there was me thinking you would be the first to contribute to this topic, disgraceful

I hate them....horrible little things
.

Would have to agree with bmugford on this, hyphen sales over the course of the last few months have been very strong. Some bright spark started a hyphen sales thread, you should check it out if you haven't done so already:

http://www.namepros.com/domain-name...rted-hyphen-domain-sale.html?highlight=hyphen

I think it always depends on how you use the hyphen. IMO, it needs to act as a divider between two particularly strong keywords. It becomes more difficult when you start introducing it all over the place, or twice as part of the same string.

I like to own them for development purposes....but I think most of them would be hard to sell to an end user: I have not tried to sell one though so that is my opinion.

I have a few that make a little parking and as mini-sites.
So I always consider buying a hyphen if I like it or can do something with it.

-Thanks
-Aaron

 

[gemstar]

They are sleeepers.One day soon everyone will be knocked over by the demand they will have from end users.Not to mention domainers :hehe:

 

[camille7_7]

I do agree the best way is to use it to seperate two words that are stong or related....please do not mind my sig...that one was one of the first domains I got and after I got it I realized it was not the best at all.

Not to sound to off....but when I tell people about a hyphen they look confused till I tell them the minus sign.

-Thanks
-Aaron

 

[bmugford]

As was said below. The hyphenated domains that are appealing are two strong keywords, separated by 1 well placed hyphen.

When you start getting into double hyphens, 3-4 word domains with hyphens they are not appealing to end users.

I know of a large medical company that registered their hyphenated version if early 2001. It wasn't until 1 1/2 years later they took the non hyphenated version.

There are actually end users that prefer the separation, which I think might be a surprise to many domainers.

Brad

And there was me thinking you would be the first to contribute to this topic, disgraceful


Would have to agree with bmugford on this, hyphen sales over the course of the last few months have been very strong. Some bright spark started a hyphen sales thread, you should check it out if you haven't done so already:

http://www.namepros.com/domain-name...rted-hyphen-domain-sale.html?highlight=hyphen

I think it always depends on how you use the hyphen. IMO, it needs to act as a divider between two particularly strong keywords. It becomes more difficult when you start introducing it all over the place, or twice as part of the same string.

 

[Jake]

I like to own them for development purposes....but I think most of them would be hard to sell to an end user

If you would like to own them for developmental purposes, then why wouldn't an end-user?

I think hyphens are way under-valued. Personally, I don't own very many, but the few that I have had, I've sold for a decent profit

-Jake

 

[camille7_7]

No i do not think that because i want to develop it end users would want to as well......you think someone wants to own lasvegascasino-finder(dot)com.

I do not think so but i found a way to make money off of it.

I still think it is good to have 2 words related and that is all: that is end user focused.

-Thanks
-Aaron

 

[bmugford]

This is exactly my point. Domainers are only one portion of the industry with a certain viewpoint.

If everyone agrees than hyphenated domains are good for development, then don't you think that would interest end users?

I can tell you first hand quality hyphenated domains sell very well.

Brad

If you would like to own them for developmental purposes, then why wouldn't an end-user?

I think hyphens are way under-valued. Personally, I don't own very many, but the few that I have had, I've sold for a decent profit

-Jake

From experience the hyphenated domains that sell best have Word Tracker.
This indicates popularity which makes a big difference.

Something like Online-Pharmacy.com would sell well.

No i do not think that because i want to develop it end users would want to as well......you think someone wants to own lasvegascasino-finder(dot)com.

I do not think so but i found a way to make money off of it.

-Thanks
-Aaron

 

[camille7_7]

I am agreeing on the same thing........just for some odd reason my comments are being taken differently.

Sorry if i am not being clear.

-Thanks
-Aaron

 

[bmugford]

I understood you. I was just trying to show what types of names sold well from my experience.

I am agreeing on the same thing........just for some odd reason my comments are being taken differently.

Sorry if i am not being clear.

-Thanks
-Aaron

 

[gemstar]

Hyphens are the way to go! :talk:

 

[Michael]

I don't mind them at all for setting up mini sites. They get indexed just as well. I'd rather have a strong Keyword-Keyword.com than a weak KeywordKeyword.com for development purposes.

 

[bmugford]

Dead on. You can get a Strong-Keyword.com for less than a MedicoreKeyword.com

When it comes to development there is no question which is better, and that is why end users don't mind them either.

Brad

I don't mind them at all for setting up mini sites. They get indexed just as well. I'd rather have a strong Keyword-Keyword.com than a weak KeywordKeyword.com for development purposes.

 

[Albert]

You have a better place to spend your money; spend wisely.

 

[lzy]

I have a few good hyphen keywords. Sold one to an end-user, not for alot, but good ROI. :]