Alternate Domain Names and SEO

undoIT · 08-24-2008, 07:23 PM

I have a domain name that can be entered with or without hyphens and decided to go with the hyphenated version because I it would be better for SEO to have the keywords distinct. I also have the domain without hyphens.

I added the non-hyphenated URL to my hosting as a parked domain and then created a 301 redirect to go to the hyphenated version. I am wondering if there are any caveats to doing this and if there is a better technique. I remember reading that Google doesn't like redirected domain names.

abwebdesign · 08-29-2008, 04:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by undoIT

I have a domain name that can be entered with or without hyphens and decided to go with the hyphenated version because I it would be better for SEO to have the keywords distinct. I also have the domain without hyphens.

I added the non-hyphenated URL to my hosting as a parked domain and then created a 301 redirect to go to the hyphenated version. I am wondering if there are any caveats to doing this and if there is a better technique. I remember reading that Google doesn't like redirected domain names.

Firstly, it is a common misconception that hyphenating your domain name will positively affect your SEO and SERPs results. You should probably go with the domain without the hyphens, as that is usually easier for people to remember. Adding hyphens can be problematic if there is a competing website using the same words without hyphens -- you could potentially looks hits by that. Plus, Google will "parse" your domain name's words to fit the search results.

If you search for "web design", you will notice that if pages included in the search results have website and design in the domain, Google will highlight the matching partials. (E.g., websitedesign.com)

Secondly, adding a 301 redirect is exactly the correct method for you to use.
The 301 header response tells Googlebot, and other search engine bots, that the content of www.xyz-company.com is now permanently located at www.xyzcompany.com. At that point, all indexing of content will resume using the second address, and eventually the old address will be phased out of the SERPs.

Lastly, "Google doesn't like redirected domain names"
This is only true if it is not done within the proper context, and in this case you have handled the situation appropriately. So no worries.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask!

globalseo · 08-29-2008, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abwebdesign

Firstly, it is a common misconception that hyphenating your domain name will positively affect your SEO and SERPs results. You should probably go with the domain without the hyphens, as that is usually easier for people to remember. Adding hyphens can be problematic if there is a competing website using the same words without hyphens -- you could potentially looks hits by that. Plus, Google will "parse" your domain name's words to fit the search results.

excellent point...agree with this, hyphenated URLs are not user friendly..

***ian*** · 08-31-2008, 06:07 AM

I do use hyphenated domains on occasion if the keywords are good and highly searched for and the non hyphenated version is obviously not available.
But if I owned both, I would definitely use the one without the hyphen, search engines these days are a lot more intelligent and can parse the words in the URL without the need for a hyphen.

walkingbird · 08-31-2008, 09:11 AM

for some domains it is best to get the hyphenated one the

for example seomen.com Google might see it as se omen or seo men so you would want to hyphenate for a domain like that

***ian*** · 08-31-2008, 09:21 AM

google would look at the title tags, the headers, text within the page, anchor text of inbound links, etc etc
again hyphens do not matter with google
do a search for "computer forum"
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&r...computer+forum
google highlights both the word computer and forum in the first result, even though there is no hyphen, it can parse words in the URL without a hyphen.

walkingbird · 08-31-2008, 12:59 PM

like i said only use hyphens when you need to separate the keywords if your keywords could be seen as two different things. You don't want people reading your url wrong and you don't want search engine. Only use hyphens when you need to make a space for users and search engines - when the search engine could parse your url for different keywords.

ailema · 09-03-2008, 04:31 AM

yeah google is really sensitive better dont redirect your site

undoIT · 09-03-2008, 06:28 AM

Well. I decided to change the domain name and go with a non-hyphenated one.

Now the site is: Coupons Cha-Ching

abwebdesign · 09-03-2008, 09:10 PM

Wisely you chose, my young padawan.

08-24-2008, 07:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
undoIT New Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 19	Alternate Domain Names and SEO I have a domain name that can be entered with or without hyphens and decided to go with the hyphenated version because I it would be better for SEO to have the keywords distinct. I also have the domain without hyphens. I added the non-hyphenated URL to my hosting as a parked domain and then created a 301 redirect to go to the hyphenated version. I am wondering if there are any caveats to doing this and if there is a better technique. I remember reading that Google doesn't like redirected domain names. __________________ HP Coupons \| Lenovo Coupons - Be a cheapskate and feel great! Themebot - Free HTML Templates & Free Web Layouts

08-31-2008, 06:07 AM	#4 (permalink)
*ian* Administrator Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,684	I do use hyphenated domains on occasion if the keywords are good and highly searched for and the non hyphenated version is obviously not available. But if I owned both, I would definitely use the one without the hyphen, search engines these days are a lot more intelligent and can parse the words in the URL without the need for a hyphen. __________________ Computer Forum

08-31-2008, 09:11 AM	#5 (permalink)
walkingbird Silver Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 102	for some domains it is best to get the hyphenated one the for example seomen.com Google might see it as se omen or seo men so you would want to hyphenate for a domain like that __________________ Marshal Finch Regina Web Design Make Money Online to- with seo(search engine optimization) Logo Picture Gallery - rate, submit and review Forum Link Expermient

08-31-2008, 09:21 AM	#6 (permalink)
*ian* Administrator Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,684	google would look at the title tags, the headers, text within the page, anchor text of inbound links, etc etc again hyphens do not matter with google do a search for "computer forum" http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&r...computer+forum google highlights both the word computer and forum in the first result, even though there is no hyphen, it can parse words in the URL without a hyphen. __________________ Computer Forum

08-31-2008, 12:59 PM	#7 (permalink)
walkingbird Silver Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 102	like i said only use hyphens when you need to separate the keywords if your keywords could be seen as two different things. You don't want people reading your url wrong and you don't want search engine. Only use hyphens when you need to make a space for users and search engines - when the search engine could parse your url for different keywords. __________________ Marshal Finch Regina Web Design Make Money Online to- with seo(search engine optimization) Logo Picture Gallery - rate, submit and review Forum Link Expermient

09-03-2008, 04:31 AM	#8 (permalink)
ailema New Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 3	yeah google is really sensitive better dont redirect your site __________________ wholesale jewelry Active Pet Beds

09-03-2008, 06:28 AM	#9 (permalink)
undoIT New Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 19	Well. I decided to change the domain name and go with a non-hyphenated one. Now the site is: Coupons Cha-Ching

09-03-2008, 09:10 PM	#10 (permalink)
abwebdesign Bronze Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Butler, PA Posts: 44	Wisely you chose, my young padawan. __________________ Cheers, Christopher M. Arkwright AB Web.Design, LLC. www.abwebsitedesign.com

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