Domain Names and SEO

[thorst]

Hello,
What kind of domain names are better for search engine optimization (Google etc.)?
Example: Keywords "widget download"
1. www.widgetdownload.com
2. www.widget-download.com

Thank you.

[edited by: Lisa at 7:26 pm (utc) on Dec. 17, 2002]
[edit reason] widgetized [/edit]

[Macguru]

Hi thorst

I would use both : the first - www.widgetdownload.com - should have a server side permanent redirect to the second hypenated domain name - www.widget-download.com -. The second one is more efficient on search engines because they can dig both keywords in domain name and anchor text of incomming links to your site.

The first one will be more efficent for audio communications such as phone or radio. It will be handy for type-in visitors and those who will forget the hyphen.

[edited by: Lisa at 7:27 pm (utc) on Dec. 17, 2002]

[jleane]

Wouldnt this be considered a 'doorway'? I thought google frowned on this?

[Macguru]

No problem at all since the non hyphenated domain (or any misspell combos) have no content at all to offer. The server simply redirects users who mistyped, thats all. It is a very common practice and is absolutely legit. I never had any problems with that.

[jleane]

Okay, but if its a straight direct (i.e the secondary domains have no actual content) how does it help the ranking of the main site?

[jleane]

Apologies, I read your post more closely - the secondary domain(s) are only useful if a user mis-types, or if they are more accessable/easier to remember by online users.

Thanks!

[jleane]

Make that 'more accessable by OFFLINE users'!

[Macguru]

DaveAtIFG just made a great post about this in the Website Technology Issues [webmasterworld.com] forum.

Enjoy!