What should be optimum length of domain name

domain name length

[johntailor]

Hi.

Could anyone tell me what should be the max. optimum length of domain name.

The lenght of my desired domain name is 20-22 charcter long.

[edited by: Webwork at 6:11 pm (utc) on Dec. 28, 2006]
[edit reason] Charter [webmasterworld.com] [/edit]

[Webwork]

22 charters was the initial limit, before the limit was reset to 65 characters. Therefore, for a long time, everyone had to work within that limit.

I'd say 22 characters is a good outer limit, though I hold a few that are slightly longer.

If you go longer then it's a question of robustness. For example: State+Category+Directory/Guide/Etc might work, from the perspective of accurate description, generic, memorable, etc.

[pageoneresults]

Could anyone tell me what should be the max. optimum length of domain name.

I'd also look at memorability and ease of spelling and typing in. Length could be trumped by other factors. ;)

[johntailor]

still confused.

What should be the optimum good length of domain name?

[centime]

I think short, punchy, an memorable.

Plus, I try to include a keyword

[TbFilly]

I think short and sweet are also the way to go. Unforunately mine is long, but wanted to make the intent of the site known through the domain name.

[stu2]

To answer your question directly. There isn't any optimum number you can put your finger on. That's why you've been getting the kind of replies you are getting. If for example your 20-22 characters is one word which exactly describes the content then that is the optimum name for your website. It's not about the number of characters. It's about relevancy, memorability, type-ability. Short and memorable are usually the recomendations. Personally, I shudder at typing in 22 char domain names.

[Woz]

I remember seeing a study some time ago the honed in on what was the optimal domain for branding and ease of use, and came up with "two syllables and ten characters" as being the best option. It was on a blog somewhere and unfortunately failed to bookmark it. It was excellent research though so I view it with quite some respect.

A similar study with results on the Icann Wiki (here [icannwiki.org]) looked at domain sales in the after market.

* One-keyword domain names longer than 2 characters gain in value as the grow longer, up to about 8 characters; the top domains of this area are "lexical" names made of two or three syllables.

* Two-keyword domain names gain in value as they grow longer, up to about 11 characters, then descend in value .

I tend to try and narrow down to the "2 syl/10 char" Zone if I can, but it is not a hard and fast rule, just a guideline.

Onya
Woz

[stu2]

I agree with Woz. There isn't a hard and fast rule. I also prefer 2 word domains up to 11 chars in length. Of course, I prefer BOAT over that :)