When to choose Singular and when to choose Plural version

[oldtimer]

All positive and constructive opinions are welcomed to find a general guideline as to when to choose Singular and when to choose Plural version for a domain name. The goal here is to make detailed analysis that could help with registering new domains or choosing one for development.


Which version is better when used for type-in , or as a business name, or for a service, or for a product, or a place


For example:

Wholesalesupply.ext or wholesalesupplies.ext

Newyorkproperty.ext or newyorkproperties.ext

Newhomeloan.ext or newhomeloans.ext

hawaiivacation.ext or hawaiivacations.ext

homefinder.ext or homefinders.ext

autoexpert.ext or autoexperts.ext

 

[scandiman]

I usually try to have both if I can and eliminate the question entirely.

 

[Danny25]

Both is the best option.

Otherwise I ask google and OVT

 

[cache]

it is hard to generalize. If the domain name is one that you sell a lot of them, then plural form.

 

[floatingworld]

All positive and constructive opinions are welcomed to find a general guideline as to when to choose Singular and when to choose Plural version for a domain name. The goal here is to make detailed analysis that could help with registering new domains or choosing one for development.


Which version is better when used for type-in , or as a business name, or for a service, or for a product, or a place


For example:

Wholesalesupply.ext or wholesalesupplies.ext

Newyorkproperty.ext or newyorkproperties.ext

Newhomeloan.ext or newhomeloans.ext

hawaiivacation.ext or hawaiivacations.ext

homefinder.ext or homefinders.ext

autoexpert.ext or autoexperts.ext

IMHO:
Wholesalesupply.ext or wholesalesupplies.ext: plural

Newyorkproperty.ext or newyorkproperties.ext singular

Newhomeloan.ext or newhomeloans.ext both=

hawaiivacation.ext or hawaiivacations.ext both=

homefinder.ext or homefinders.ext both=

autoexpert.ext or autoexperts.ext both=

 

[Seabass]

Plural - the surfer may be shopping and conversions can be lower at times than the singular. Is the surfer ready to buy something specific right now? Then singular. Sigular should, in many cases, have higher conversion ratio for sales b/c the surfer is ready to buy as opposed to the plural, b/c they are still shopping.

There are many exceptions and variables that could negate the above statement, but I generally try to buy taking this into consideration.

I heard others say the singular b/c of the "naming ability" that can be had for a potential purchaser. I can see that in some cases, but who really knows........


Obviously, having both is the way to go.

 

[oldtimer]

If you can make examples that could help with choosing Singular or Plural version for a domain name please post them here with an explanation as to why you prefer one over the other for different uses and situations. Even if you get both there is still the question of which one to develop and which one to redirect to the site.

(please end domain names with .ext to be general)

 

[tricolorro]

If you can make examples that could help with choosing Singular or Plural version for a domain name please post them here with an explanation as to why you prefer one over the other for different uses and situations. Even if you get both there is still the question of which one to develop and which one to redirect to the site.

(please end domain names with .ext to be general)

:hi:

You've already received some good responses above but you seem to want more so:

If it helps I'd just like to add you should consider how people
speak and the way words are used.

For example, people say Office Supplies not Office Supply so I say
OfficeSupplies.ext is the winner.

Of course, as pointed out, you should try to get both especially
if you are just paying Reg fees.

If you sell men's ties I would say ties.ext is better than tie.ext for the purpose of selling ties.

Of course tie.ext has it's own special value.

If you sell Tuxedos, both Tuxedo.ext and Tuxedos.ext work but If I
could only pick one I'd go for Tuxedo.ext.

Shirts.ext over Shirt.ext. I think it's a toss up but others may disagree.

Pants.ext over Pant.ext definitely.

Cake.ext vs Cakes.ext?

Both are great but I give the edge to Cake.com.

Anyway I'll let others step in now.

Happy Domaining,
Patrick

 

[oldtimer]

Thanks for your examples, I am trying to explore this subject for the benefit of all who have similar questions about this issue and encourage others to give any insight or examples that can help making the best choice for new reggs or development.

 

[scandiman]

Even if you get both there is still the question of which one to develop and which one to redirect to the site.

If you have both and both make sense for the specific use (tricolorro's example of ties and pants is perfect), then you are able to perform some testing to see which is the better performer.

 

[Charley]

What about these :-

- Car(s)
- Blog(s)
- Girl(s)
- Gay(s)
- Credit Card(s)

Pants.ext over Pant.ext definitely.

Cake.ext vs Cakes.ext?

 

[floatingworld]

Thanks for your examples, I am trying to explore this subject for the benefit of all who have similar questions about this issue and encourage others to give any insight or examples that can help making the best choice for new reggs or development.

the message is.....that there is no magic algorithm...each name will be decided on its merits, so more examples will not give a fix. A count of which are in the majority ie singular or plural, or the reasons for each will not help decide the next one. Only command of the English language will help you (er...or not...)

 

[HcDomains]

What about these :-

- Car(s)
- Blog(s)
- Girl(s)
- Gay(s)
- Credit Card(s)

My 2 cents:

Car
Blog
Girls
Gay
Credit Card

BTW, Game and Games, which one is better?

 

[tricolorro]

What about these :-

- Car(s)
- Blog(s)
- Girl(s)
- Gay(s)
- Credit Card(s)

:hi:

Do you know GoogleBattle.com???
http://www.googlebattle.com/index.php

GoogleBattle
Type in two keywords and see which one brings up the most results
and is the winner!

Car vs Cars
Car = 692,000,000
Cars = 497,000,000
Car is the winner!
----------------------
Blog vs Blogs
Blog 1,220,000,000 - That's Billion!
Blogs 397,000,000
Blog is big winner!
--------------------
Girl vs Girls
Girl 417,000,000
Girls 355,000,000
--------------------
Gay vs Gays
Gay 339,000,000
Gays 29,6000,000
Gay is big winner - Not that there's anything wrong with that
-----------------------
Credit Card vs Credit Cards
Credit Card 7,450,000
Credit Cards 3,410,000
----------------------------

Have fun!

Patrick

 

[oldtimer]

Most of the times it is easy to decide which version is the best choice based on the way that it is used in everyday language, but there are certain words that always cause headaches for domainers because the best choices are not very clear even when using search engine or Overture results. Some of these questions could only be answered by more experienced domainers that over the years have become aware of certain trends with their type-in traffic or end-user offers and are in the position to shed more light on this issue. Providing more examples and detailed analysis will help us make better choices at least when it comes to the examples that have been discussed.

the message is.....that there is no magic algorithm...each name will be decided on its merits, so more examples will not give a fix. A count of which are in the majority ie singular or plural, or the reasons for each will not help decide the next one. Only command of the English language will help you (er...or not...)

 

[wot]

It's simple - both, gives a selling edge.

 

[Binfus]

:hi:

Do you know GoogleBattle.com???
http://www.googlebattle.com/index.php

GoogleBattle
Type in two keywords and see which one brings up the most results
and is the winner!

Car vs Cars
Car = 692,000,000
Cars = 497,000,000
Car is the winner!
----------------------
Blog vs Blogs
Blog 1,220,000,000 - That's Billion!
Blogs 397,000,000
Blog is big winner!
--------------------
Girl vs Girls
Girl 417,000,000
Girls 355,000,000
--------------------
Gay vs Gays
Gay 339,000,000
Gays 29,6000,000
Gay is big winner - Not that there's anything wrong with that
-----------------------
Credit Card vs Credit Cards
Credit Card 7,450,000
Credit Cards 3,410,000
----------------------------

Have fun!

Patrick

Interesting stats...however, IMO, the singular version is always going to win out in such a statistical comparison. Lets look at real life example of sold domains &/or developed websites in some key categories and see which version is better known:

Hotels.com
Cars.com
Loans.com
Tickets.com
Drugs.com
CreditCards.com
Apartments.com
Homes.com
Gifts.com
Books.com
Shoes.com
Belts.com
Pets.com


Need more...????

 

[Charley]

Yes, it does.

But consider if you are going to register one that is 50 $ and more per registration, it wouldn't be feasible to register singular and plural. I would prolly stay with plural.

It's simple - both, gives a selling edge.