Why are domains with hyphens less valueable?

[-fp-]

Hi NP.

Why are domains less useful and valueable without hyphens?

Is it because of the type-in traffic or something else?

Is there a good tool or website for accessing the possible value for this?

Thankx.

-fp-

 

[Sinfully Wicked]

I wouldnt say hyphenated domains are less "useful" infact, if both of the words are good strong keywords, the probably better than non-hyphenated domains, SE's love them.

Thank you

Sin

 

[seeker]

hyphenated domains do really well with search engines.
although in recent times, this has become less of an issue as SE's get smarter.
it really depends on the 2 words.
as for type in traffic, the problem is you might lose some traffic to the non hyphenated .com if it is developed, but that wouldn't be an issue if it is properly indexed in search engines, as most people bookmark sites they like.

 

[peter phillips]

Domain names with hyphen generally lose type in traffic to the non hyphenated name. People generally find them difficult to remember and type, but as mentioned above, if both of the words are good strong keywords then it is indeed helpful.

 

[chimaera]

Exactly - people just don't tend to type a hyphen between words.

Plus, it looks uglier =0p

 

[gazzip]

They might but less valuable but a profit is still a profit - I have been trying to log recent hyphen sales which you can see in this thread.

I will try and keep adding new sales when I come accross them

http://www.namepros.com/domain-name...ted-hyphen-domain-sale.html?highlight=hyphens

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[Gene]

Another point is that when companies have a dash in their domain, it makes it very clumsy to do a radio or tv ad. If the domain was genes-coffee.com, they would have to say "genes dash coffee dot com". Enough to confuse the average consumer.

 

[VURG]

The website culture has been led by large corporations and influential people who have a preference for non "-" domains. How many groups with huge advertising campaigns promote a "-" domain? The "-" looks and sounds cheap.

 

[fonzie_007]

I agree with what some others have said above. Hyphen domains are more difficult to market, tend to draw less traffic (due to people typing in the nonhyphenated domain), and search engines are slowly starting to even the imbalance between the recognition of hyphenated and nonhyphenated domains.

 

[EbookLover]

It's the marketing factor. It is much harder to market a hyphenated domain than it is to market it's non-hyphenated counterpart. You risk potential buyers not remembering the hyphens and as a result lose your traffic to the non-hyphenated version.

Also, it is debated among webmasters and and SEOers weather or not hyphenated, keyword rich, domains help search engine rankings. Many say that it does so that is one plus side for hyphenated domains.

 

[-fp-]

Thanks everybody

Thanks everybody who answered to my question.

Cheers,
-fp-

 

[Dannoth]

I think its cause they take too long to type in.