Name vs Keyword Domains

[random]

It seems that name branding is now more relevant than keywords used in a domain name. I guess that's why Goto.com became Overture.com so I believe that a keyword in the domain name is now irrelevant for SEO purposes.

 

[dgridley]

I disagree.. a keyword IMO is still preferable to having to brand a madeup domain..

 

[superprogrammer]

Most of the times you will see that great brands need not have any keywords in it
Like ebay, yahoo, google, gmail, paypal

 

[dgridley]

And they paid big money to make those names known...

Most of the times you will see that great brands need not have any keywords in it
Like ebay, yahoo, google, gmail, paypal

 

[MissFlora]

Yes but brandable names take a longer time to build up its reputation. It is something totally new unlike keywords. You'll most likely remember "hello.com" faster than "heyyo.com" unless all your friends and families are talking about heyyo everyday which happens to places like yahoo, ebay, paypal, gmail etc. Attraction is the word for the domain business.

Flora.

 

[harpo]

actually google takes into an account the link text of the domain so say you have
diving.com and another has inthewater.com goole will give high revelance and its algorryths will take into account diving keyword inherent in the domain as a text link plus bonus so when someone searches for diving and you have that linked with other sites you better rating.

 

[harpo]

so what im saying if you have you keyword within your domain the better to ya

 

[LeDomain]

22 Immutable Laws of Internet Branding..

Guys,

This topic can be debated to death...but if you like to read an interesting book on this try

The 11 Immutable Laws of Internet Branding by Al Ries and Laura Ries

Simple and direct...

 

[Stella]

Unless you have a really catchy name you still have to rely on your keywords!

 

[armstrong]

Keywords are a shortcut to success. But if you have money for branding, unique madeup names are the way to go!

 

[Busedo]

If you have a keyworded name, then parking it could be a good deal... Branded names that are unique, and leave a funny memory in someones mind could be good because obviously if you have googley.com, and you have goo.com, goo.com might get more type-in traffic. But googley.com would be a more unique name. So I would say if your developing brand wins.

Jason F.

 

[cera]

Keyword domain names will always have the advantage with the search engines and some keywords are also very brandable.

Keywords in the domain name is only one factor in SERP position though and a non-keyword name with good PR along with optimization can push it's way to the top.

Armstrong said it "Keywords are a shortcut to success"
Branding costs money.

KinglyDomains / ChristalWeb Productions

 

[snoop]

Most of the times you will see that great brands need not have any keywords in it
Like ebay, yahoo, google, gmail, paypal

Examples of companies who have done well using domains that have no intrinsic value. Just because a company has used a madeup domain and done well doesn't mean the domain was a good choice nor does it go any way to justify speculation in madeup/brandable names.

Your thinking here is overly domain centric, the people who started those companies obviously weren't very concerned about their name, they just used whatever they could get for reg fee.

 

[andriegel]

obviously weren't very concerned about their name, they just used whatever they could get for reg fee.

With all due respect, I agree with most of what was said here, except you don't start a multi-million dollar site without studying the HELL out of the chosen name.
(How it is perceived, how it is remembered, easy to type, etc)
The price of the registration is not a factor- brandability is. IMHO

 

[dgridley]

I agree with this exactly.. and not only does branding cost money, but time as well, which can sometimes be more costly!

Armstrong said it "Keywords are a shortcut to success"
Branding costs money.

 

[harpo]

great band names are thought of on the spot, and become very popular
REM which means rapid eye movement was something they came up with by just opening the dictionary pointing mr finger with the eyes closed and letting destiny take its cours. Good names come about in a myriad of ways just like jewels so many varieties so many colors so many choices

 

[snoop]

With all due respect, I agree with most of what was said here, except you don't start a multi-million dollar site without studying the HELL out of the chosen name.
(How it is perceived, how it is remembered, easy to type, etc)
The price of the registration is not a factor- brandability is. IMHO

yahoo, google, ebay etc weren't started as "multi-million dollar sites", they were started out of garages and bedrooms, none of the three really started with any kind of business plan, let alone closely studying the chosen domain.

"Yahoo! began as a student hobby and evolved into a global brand"

http://docs.yahoo.com/info/misc/history.html

"eBay was founded in Pierre Omidyar's San Jose living room back in September 1995."
http://www.cs.brandeis.edu/~magnus/ief248a/eBay/history.html

 

[harpo]

With all due respect, I agree with most of what was said here, except you don't start a multi-million dollar site without studying the HELL out of the chosen name.
(How it is perceived, how it is remembered, easy to type, etc)
The price of the registration is not a factor- brandability is. IMHO

In an interview the Beatles said they would have never been able to write the songs they did if they had to study music in college,

Ideas, music and ones goal orientated ambitions maybe brought on by HEAVEN with her winged messengers to inspire a domain idea effortlessly.
without premediated perception, without memory and without thought of typing.
{Registration becomes the vehical to capture and hold that name and brandability is fueled by ones faith and enthusiasm in their endeavor to manifest what was formed by such inspired thoughts} :tri:

 

[Tippy]

I still feel keywords play a role in positioning but I do like made-up brand names for my Biz, something unique, fun...

 

[maddudeonline]

i dont know its important people know about your site. But having something like creditcardshop.com would be good for search optimisation