Which name to develop/brand site with?

I have a choice of two!

[jonmayes]

Hey guys,

I do believe this is my first post, so howdy :)

My problem is this: I already have 2 domain names for the same site, but I'm thinking that if I'm going to develop this site significantly to gain search engine rankings etc. then I'd better be sure I pick the right domain name now cuz it'll be foolish to switch once the original one starts getting decent traffic, right?

I'm making a site with guides/tutorials etc. and the name of the site (reflects this fact). The 2 domain names I have are (a long and short version of a descriptive domain name.) My original plan was to build it on the former domain, but then I noticed the other one was available too so I snapped it up. Which do you think would be better: The full, long version or the shorter version? I've done a minor amount of work so far using the former domain, but am leaning towards changing over to the latter...

Also do you think it would be a good idea to put both domains up, having one as the main site and the other one with just one page, some ads, good content and a link e.g. 'go to our parent site'?

Whaddya reckon?

<No specific references to a domain name please and, my goodness - where are my manners? Welcome to WebmasterWorld Jon.>

[edited by: Webwork at 9:49 pm (utc) on July 12, 2005]

[nanotopia]

The most important things about your domain are that people link to it, and that it's in the SERPS. Either domain will do as long as the previous two items are met.

Marketing-wise, the longer name is better. Although it's nice to have a short domain, yours is a bit encryptic. However, the long one is easy to remember.

So, if it were me, I would go with the long domain, and then set up a 301 redirect from the short domain to the long domain. Whatever you do, don't duplicate the content on both domains. Either keep the domains and their sites completely separate and different, or do a 301 redirect from one to the other.

[kevinpate]

I'd go with the former if it were me. I'd also think seriously about dropping that "The" out of the site name and structure things around the balance of the phrase.

[jonmayes]

Thanks for the speedy replies!

Would it be damaging to incorporate my suggestion of having the other domain (which is unpublished at the moment, btw) as a one page site with a link to the main site?

<Deleted specific reference.>

[edited by: Webwork at 9:49 pm (utc) on July 12, 2005]

[nanotopia]

Would it be damaging to incorporate my suggestion of having the other domain (which is unpublished at the moment, btw) as a one page site with a link to the main site?

I wouldn't do it, and I don't think it would help you in the SERPs.

[Webwork]

Jon, since you paid for both domains I'd use them both. ;)

Make each unique. The smaller can focus on an important niche issue. The larger site covers the broad issues. Niche = valuable subset?

The second issue is branding. Which domain is more memorable? Easier to type? More descriptive? Might result in more anchor text links, flowing from its descriptive nature? Lots of factors to weigh in making that choice.