The argument for Hyphenated Domains

[memorablename]

Domainers tend not to like hyhenated domain names.

However, search engines can "read" hyphenated domains more easily. For example in a domain like www.buywidgetsonline.com the search engine can only read the first word "buy" and that's it. It can't tell anything else about the website domain name.

If you hyphenated that to www.buy-widgets-online.com the search engine can read "buy", "widgets" and "online" as separate words and therefore knows that this website is about buying widgets.

A well chosen hyphenated domain name can be just as effective as a single word domain name. What do people think on this?

 

[shockie]

i think that major search engines (gym) have very few issues (if any) with figuring out the three words in that first domain.

 

[Compassion]

I think they can be almost as good

Many are search engine friendy

Including l-l-l domains

 

[gladdy]

bough my first hyphenated domain lately, hope to sell it for high $$$$

 

[Corey]

I have quite a few hyphenated names that are developed and doing very nicely.

Cheers
Corey

 

[j0hnyl]

A lot of times when it comes to search engines a domain is only as good as it's content so hyphens will always be fine for development.

I have quite a few hyphenated names that are developed and doing very nicely.

Cheers
Corey

can you share one or two?

 

[Corey]

A lot of times when it comes to search engines a domain is only as good as it's content so hyphens will always be fine for development.





can you share one or two?

sure

http://www.credit-score.in
http://www.diet-smart.info
http://www.helicopter-training.info
http://www.refinance-mortgage-tips.com
http://www.real-estate-sales.us
http://2008-election.us

Cheers
Corey

 

[olderguy]

example
i own both
www.keyword.bz
www.on-keyword.com
which is best for development

 

[Dimester]

Hyphenated domain names are fine for getting search engine traffic but you should also own the un-hyphenated domain name for type in traffic and point it to the hyphenated domain name. When people type in the name they often forget the hyphen. The traffic then goes to the non-hyphenated domain name.

 

[bmugford]

The whole argument of losing type in traffic to a non hyphenated version is generally not that important. In general 2-3 word domains don't get massive traffic anyway.

I can tell you from end user sales that an end user would prefer a keyword domain with a well placed hyphen than a lesser domain without a hyphen for the same price. The benefits of having a phrase with search volume generally outweighs the negative.

Brad

 

[jeffoverman]

I been hearing this and still learning this and chatting with couple contacts

Yes search engines love it. Good way to draw traffic from people searching

Now the flip side of things and will throw this out here.

In 09 I plan to seek private advertisers on a site hopefully when its indexed well and traffic.

When I'm making a cold call, show a business card of domain name and what it does people will take you more seriously with a nice domain vs this imo. You only have a few seconds to make a lasting impression and that one is the name.

Sorry get off topic on this idea or thought.

But I am going test this approach and see what search does for me.

Its a good idea for search engines. I agree on this.

Good discussion here.

 

[staffjam]

I'm a big fan of hyphenated names. I've received quite a few offers on some of the following over the last year:
Solar-Energy.com
Solar-Powered.com
Teddy-Bears.com
Carema-Reviews.com
Internet-Radio.com
Custom-Car.com
Scrap-Metal.com
L-A.com

I wrote a post you may find interesting a few months back: http://www.namecake.com/hyphenated-...d-–-a-sharp-price-rise-could-be-on-the-cards/

 

[Mark]

Sure Hyphens are fine to attract SEO traffic ... and to own if you are Developing on the Non-Hyphenated version.

But - Hyphens are a complete nightmare from a Branding/Advertising POV ...

If you flash one on the TV for a few seconds, You better make sure you own the non-hyphenated version .... Because thats where your traffic you just paid for is going. Humans memories aren't that great to begin with - and you expect them to remember those "dashes" ?

I won't even go into advertising on the Radio ... " Please visit our site at buy"dash"widgets"dash"online.com "



SEO reasoning - Sure thing ... Branding/Developing - Nope ....

http://www.namepros.com/domain-name-discussion/208225-hyphens-prefered-by-big-motoring-company.html

^ I've seen all of the arguements/examples before already btw - No need to mention the "few" exceptions.

 

[Mark]

I'm not saying they are useless by any means ... I own some. I'm just saying , I wouldn't put a major Development or try to Brand on them.

Anything you intend to take on seriously (Long Term) - You need to look into the future ... If you ever intend to use conventional media to advertise , I wouldn't go the Hyphenated route.

 

[AndyR]

I have two that are ripe for development I think?

all-words.com
wasted-energy.com

any development suggestions are welcomed.

andyr

 

[Mark]

Look @ King Ranch for instance. www.king-ranch.com

Def long term and a major brand.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Ranch

As I said ... Been here - Seen that.

The small number of examples you will pull up are nothing vs. Non-Hyphenated ...

And in many cases - You'll see they own both versions ... Many of those cases you will see they had to later obtain the regular version.

KingRanch.com redirects to what ?

 

[philski]

Normally* under my own observations. if you Google anything at all. the first top ten results normally include "your_domain_search_phrase/" then the next "your-domain-search-phrase".

however this is not always true.

if i Google "buy widgets online" in Australia,
http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&q=buy+widgets+online&btnG=Search&meta=

In America
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=buy+widgets+online&btnG=Search&meta=

its reversed,,

so yes they are very powerful. Domain name hyphens are Not as powerful, this month,, at least, imo, but still rock. and have outranked some fine/ non hyphen domains over time.

Kindest regards
Phillip
www.widget.name

 

[bmugford]

I have no problem selling hyphenated domains to end users. Many end users just want specific keywords.

But it is to be.

1.) Well placed hyphen. Normally 1 hyphen separating keywords.
2.) Normally an actual product or service.
3.) Have search volume.
4.) Be in a credible extension. COM/NET/ORG (where appropriate) or a top ccTLD.

examples are...

Solar-Energy.com
Teddy-Bears.com
Stock-Market.com
Credit-Cards.net
Home-Loans.net
etc.

The SEO benefits of domains like that are huge. It also puts keyword domains into the budget of many end users. Not everyone has tens of thousands to spend on a domain.

Brad

 

[gazzip]

The SEO benefits of domains like that are huge. It also puts keyword domains into the budget of many end users. Not everyone has tens of thousands to spend on a domain.
Brad

:bingo: ..they're a far cheaper, usable alternative for endusers or developers.


.

 

[Corey]

I am my end user...

Another developed hyhenated domain name
http://www.i-check.us

Cheers
Corey