Domain Name - Keywords or Business Name?? What do you Use?

Are you just looking to start your online business?

Are you creating a website for your 'bricks and mortar' business?

At some point in time before your website goes live you will need to register a domain name.


What factors do you need to consider when you choose a domain name?

Do you just choose your business name?

Do you incorporate your keywords?

Do you include your location?

Do you separate the words with hyphens?

How much are you prepared to pay?


The answer to these questions?? IT DEPENDS.


Let me take you through a scenario. I am working with a business selling computers in the retail market. The business is named after the founder of the business - 'Sullivan Computing' and is based in California.'

This business has been established for a long period of time and is well know in its local area.

BUT it is looking to expand its business across the US, into areas where it is less well known?

What domain should you register?

Would you register www.sullivancomputers.com

Or would you register www.buycomputerusa.com?

2 Rules for Choosing a Great Domain Name

Rule Number 1 for choosing a domain name - MAKE It Easy to Remember

Rule Number 2 - Make it Search Engine Friendly by including relevant keywords

Do you include your Location?

Would I include the location? Not in this case because the business is looking to service the US market. If you have a local business you may benefit from including the location. And I would certainly include your location in your page title and meta description.

Would I use hyphens?

Hyphens can make your domain name difficult to communicate to people. Same goes for fullstops. It can however significantly reduce the cost of the domain name. It may also mean the difference between being able to register the domain name and it not being available at all.

Have a look at GoDaddy.com and search for your desired domain name with and without hyphens. And compare the difference.

www.buycomputerusa.com - $2232.50

www.buy-computer-usa.com - $13.21

BIG DIFFERENCE in terms of cost. Minimal difference in terms of search engine performance.


Can you get the benefit of both??

YES.

What would I do in this instance?

Depending on the budget I would

1. Register www.sullivancomputers.com

2. Register either www.buycomputerusa.com or www.buy-computer-usa.com or www.buycomputer-usa.com

3. Place a permanent redirect from www.buycomputerusa.com to www.sullivancomputers.com

Make sure you get the redirect done properly.

That way you get the benefit of people already knowing your local business and being able to find your website easily. And you also get the benefit of including some of your keywords in your domain name so you get some extra search engine ranking power.

For more info on keywords check out my post on Keyword Research for Business Websites.

Domain Name - Keywords or Business Name?? What do you Use?