Hyphen vs .NET

[Lyte]

Okay, I know we've beaten this hyphen horse to a pulp but I just can't find the answer to this particular scenario. So, I hope y'all will still take a swing at this one! :tu:

This is regarding a domain name where the keyword is seen with a hyphen as often as without a hyphen. I'm using "WiFi and Wi-Fi" as the example. Here goes...

WiFiblah.com is taken, so which would be better to purchase next...

WiFiblah.net

or

Wi-Fiblah.com

So, it's hyphen vs. NET... which is better... which is worse??

Thanks!!!

Lyte

 

[Qwert]

It depends, if it's usaually spelt with a - or if it just looks/seems just as good with a - as without a - then go for it. Also I heard the Germans like the dashes between long domains. However in most cases I would say .net would be the better choice.

 

[andriegel]

I agree, go with the .net

 

[Mark]

Is it a dictionary word / term shown with the hyphen ? - Also , have you searched for it with the hyphen and without on Goog / Yahoo (If so what were the results on it) ?

Hard to say without knowing the actual term - But if it shows up in the dictionary etc ... I'd go with the Hyphenated version before .net ... Just My opinion ~

 

[Lyte]

Is it a dictionary word / term shown with the hyphen ?

I hadn't thought of that! Good question! When I put in the word with the hyphen the internet dictionary removes it!

have you searched for it with the hyphen and without on Goog / Yahoo

Ughh... I hadn't thought to do the Google/Yahoo/Overture thang. *wackin' head emoticon* I'm off to check those! :lol:

Thank you all for responding! :cy:

Lyte

 

[yesonline]

I think if your are planning to use this domain as your main brand, then .com with hyphen would be better than the .net without hyphen one.

 

[jamminsport16]

go with .net

 

[jeter4982]

I think it really depends on the domain and the 2 keywords. For example, I think webmaster-talk.com is better than webmastertalk.net . However, I think in your example, the .net is better. I think a general rule of thumb, is if the site is any type of forum, then it is okay to go with a hypen before a keyword like: talk,chat,forum,forums, etc.

Tom

 

[floatingworld]

in addition to the above, sometimes it is worth just standing back and looking at the name with the hyphen and making a call as to whether it feels right (just like a painting?). Sometimes the hyphen works and sometimes it doesn't. IMHO you have here 3 words wi fi blah, and the hyphen does not work, but if it was just wi-fi then it would be Ok.

 

[Raz0rBlade_uk]

Yeah I'd say the .NET is best too.

 

[jamminsport16]

buy both & just forward one to the other =] hehe

 

[.X.]

I just don't like hypens.I would go with the .net extension.As hypens become more common,If they do,Then i would have no problem with reging them,But i see them as typein hendrence right now.

 

[omnia]

In general terms I'd say go with the .net version as the first choice. Take the hyphen version in preference where that is the way an item is generally used.

 

[foamgreen]

Same thoughts!

i bought wi-ficellphones.com a few months ago, i don't normally like hyphens but it seemed that everywhere wi-fi was written on the web, it had the hyphen in it!

 

[zaros64]

I reckon go with whatever looks better :P

 

[brianfast]

buy both & just forward one to the other =] hehe

Bingo, thats what you do

 

[swimjenni]

Normally I would say .net, hands down. But for this case I think the - would be better. If you look at the 2 names the - looks easyer to read and remember.

 

[Lyte]

i bought wi-ficellphones.com a few months ago, i don't normally like hyphens but it seemed that everywhere wi-fi was written on the web, it had the hyphen in it!

This is my quandry (sp) as the word is comes commonly with and without the hyphen! Hmm! *scratching head emoticon*

This is why I wonder... is better to go with a .net and no hyphen. Or get a .com with a hyphen.

I think a couple of ya have it right... buy both! :lol:

Lyte

 

[dgridley]

I'd go with the hyphen and the .com.. I'm not real big on.net and I own several hyphenated .us (keyword phrases) so.... I'm biased.

The search engines won't notice the hyphen anyway.. if you think users will type it in with the hyphen, go for it!

 

[Qwert]

I usaually do it as Wi-Fi, but Wi-Fiblahblah.com looks wierd where as wifiblahblah.net doesn't look as bad.