Re: Domain name vs. Domain-name .... THANKS - DNO

> It does not matter that if the search engines love the hyphenated version
> more if you are looking to establish a business. That sounds stupid but it
> is true. Your main concern with your domain name is marketability.
> Hyphenated domains are significantly less marketeble than a long (over 10
> charachters) domain name simply because they are less memorable.

> I suggest you go to http://www.namepros.com - the #2 domain name industry
> forum. I'd tell you to go to the #1 forum but it is no longer free to post
> and you can't even read without a paid membership. It does not matter,
> some argue that nameProse.com is better anyway.

> You should go there and post your question. However, your question has
> been asked a bunch of times so all you really need to do is do a search
> and browse through the posts and you'll find a good many threads devoted
> to your exact situation.

> I'm not saying hyphenated domains are all bad, but in most cases they are
> not the best choice.

> I never buy anything from an eShop that has a hyphenated domain. It shows
> me that these are newbies. Not that buying from a newbie is bad, but it
> also shows me that they are not too savvy and perhaps not serious about
> their business. Hyphenated domains with an ecommerce is a terrible
> marketing move. People simply would rather not type in the hyphens
> (especially if there is more than one) if they even remember them anyway.

> If you are setting up a business site, here something you might want to
> consider. If you can find a domain name that is a keyword domain like
> workathome.com then register both that and it's hyphenated counterpart
> work-at-home. Develop the non hyphenated domain as your mains site. then,
> use the hyphenated domain as a content site. SE's love content. But do not
> duplicate any part of your non-hyphenated site as SEs hate this. Simply
> make the hyphenated domain a cotent rich site pertaining to subjuect
> closely related to your business devoting a page to each of the search
> terms that people use to search for your businessinfo. but the key is that
> you include links to your non-hyphenated site. This will help you to get
> traffic to your main site in the long run (your non-hyphenated site). this
> way, you are still getting exposure for your non-hyph site but not using
> any redirects which will most likely hurt you SE-wise in the long run.

> One last thing on the domain. If you find a name and there is only the
> .NET available, do not bother as you could through some of your future
> traffic away to the .COM owner. Not worth it. Just think of another name
> where the .COM is available. .COM is the most widely known TLD. I suggest
> you go woth no other even if .NET or other TLDs suit the site better (like
> if you have a tech forum, .net would be more suited). Let's face it, all
> the TLDs are abused at this point. People are using .COM for not COMmerce
> sites. So is the game and I think everyone should play the game
> accordingly if you can. even if you plan on using the .NET as your primary
> site, make sure you get the .COM and redirect to it. In this case,
> redirecting will not be a problem as you do not care much about the .COM.
> You simply are protecting yourself from traffic stealers and even domain
> squatters (should your site ever become even remotely successsful).