Thinking about starting over.

[dan_Vt]

I have a name for my design business that I've been using for a long time, it's unique but does not contain the keywords I'm after. I've really only designed for friends, but I'm thinking of trying to market myself more and make a run at it.

Anyway, I'm thinking about ditching the name I've been using in order to start over with a domain with the keywords I'm after (3 word phrase). The domain with these three words is already taken, but I could register the name with hypens. My question, should I?

I've learned more about SEO the passed couple of months and I realize some things I did years ago hurt my current name SEO-wise. So I'm thinking about starting from scratch with a new keyword-rich name (relatively speaking since it's localized) and focusing much more on SEO.

Suggestions?

D

 

[bluemouse2]

you can get a high ranking even if the domain name does not contain the keywords you are aiming for - good luck in your seo optimizing work!

 

[Australia]

what about styledesign.com??

 

[gamehouse]

My 2 cents.

As far as I know, the kewords in the name do matter. But not much. And also they do matter a lot for MSN search engine and not much for google search engine. Yahoo is always out of track

What matters more is anchor texts that you use when you obtain backlinks. For example, if you domain name is acdef.com and you obtain backlinks with anchor text acdef, you will be at loss. Rather if you obtain backlinks with text like acdef web designers or acdef studios something like with more descriptive nature. You should have no problem.

I would personally like a unique name for my company rather than a three word name with hyphens in it. Just dont forget to add a descriptive word to that unique name when you advertise or promote.

Thats from my little SEO pocket book

Good luck,

Gamehouse

I have a name for my design business that I've been using for a long time, it's unique but does not contain the keywords I'm after. I've really only designed for friends, but I'm thinking of trying to market myself more and make a run at it.

Anyway, I'm thinking about ditching the name I've been using in order to start over with a domain with the keywords I'm after (3 word phrase). The domain with these three words is already taken, but I could register the name with hypens. My question, should I?

I've learned more about SEO the passed couple of months and I realize some things I did years ago hurt my current name SEO-wise. So I'm thinking about starting from scratch with a new keyword-rich name (relatively speaking since it's localized) and focusing much more on SEO.

Suggestions?

D

 

[dan_Vt]

you can get a high ranking even if the domain name does not contain the keywords you are aiming for - good luck in your seo optimizing work!

Yeah, but I think I messed up my SEO with some things I did when I first got the name waaaayyy back...before I knew anything about SEO. So, wouldn't it just help to use a domain with the keywords, then when someone links to the site the keywords would already be there? (some directories won't allow you to use a title other than your url or official business name)

 

[bluemouse2]

Yeah, but I think I messed up my SEO with some things I did when I first got the name waaaayyy back...before I knew anything about SEO. So, wouldn't it just help to use a domain with the keywords, then when someone links to the site the keywords would already be there? (some directories won't allow you to use a title other than your url or official business name)

as gamehouse said "What matters more is anchor texts that you use when you obtain backlinks" - yes, some directories don't allow this. I have 5 directories and I will gladly accept you

 

[gamehouse]

Did your other name got blacklisted?

Gamehouse

 

[dan_Vt]

Did your other name got blacklisted?

Gamehouse

No...not blacklisted. But my backlinks do not contain the keywords that would help attract my audience, and I used a lot of those bulk submit tools...two no-nos.

Thanks for the help all.

as gamehouse said "What matters more is anchor texts that you use when you obtain backlinks" - yes, some directories don't allow this. I have 5 directories and I will gladly accept you

Cool! Let me know what they are!

 

[bluemouse2]

No...not blacklisted. But my backlinks do not contain the keywords that would help attract my audience, and I used a lot of those bulk submit tools...two no-nos.

Thanks for the help all.



Cool! Let me know what they are!

http://www.alphadir.com
http://www.freshdir.com
http://www.idorel.com
http://www.publifacil.info
http://www.webmastertag.com

You can use any anchor text you wish.

 

[mole]

Someone was using a hyphenated version of one of my names recently to promote an event and I got lots of bleed traffic. I would not go for hyphens, I think they are an overhyped SEO myth and makes your listing on the search engines look like some kind of fly-by-night spyware outfit eg, win-fixer.com

 

[RogueWriter]

There's nothing preventing you from running two for a while, to see if the second domain gets the rankings or not. As long as some of the content is different on each, it won't hurt you. Eventually, if it becomes the dominant domain, just redirect from the first to the second, to help nudge your friends and relatives to the proper domain.