Do Keyword Rich Domain Names Really Matter?

July 25th, 2007 | 8 comments

Most of us try to get our main keywords into the URL when registering a domain. Most of the time I’ll go for it and if I can’t find one available in .net or .com I’ll just get something close.

I’ve always believed that Google stopped looking at this but I figured “why not” it couldn’t hurt.

Well I’ve recently come across a handy little research tool at http://www.webconfs.com/keyword-rich-domain-suggestions.php

I bookmarked it and logged it in the back of my mind. Then a friend of mine emailed me letting me in on a recent case study she did.

With her permission, I’ve posted her findings below:

“Actually, I did a little “experiment” on keyword domains a couple
months ago that I was really impressed with the results of. If it
interests you, Ill tell you - oh heck, Ill just tell you anyways, lol.
It actually worked 100% of the time with a sample size of 10 domains.

They were nothing but the keyword, no dashes and no other words. All
I could find available was .net’s so that what I used. I used
standard keyword research for long tails (less than 50k competing in
Google with quotes is my baseline). These were content sites, of
course.

Then, I just pointed links with keyword as anchor from my network
sites and submitted articles (2 each) for the domains with resource
box with keywords as anchor. Oh, and social bookmarking was done too
- but on internal pages.

Within a few weeks, I was on page 2 for the primary keyphrases (the
domains themselves) in Google. Now, I’m rockin the 1st page (all over
the place) on Google & MSN for all of the domains / keywords.

Those sites are doing nicely and this has me really interested in this
strategy. :-)”

From what she has found, Google is still looking at the keywords in our domains. What do you think?

Popularity: 10% [?]

Share This Story:

Related Posts

8 comments

Richard Lindo (1 comments.)
25th July, 2007 at 4:41 pm

Hello

I too have tried keyword rich domain names and it is one of the most effective Seo strategies that anyone can use to get higher search engine rankings.
Jason (15 comments.)
25th July, 2007 at 7:11 pm

Thanks for the great tool, Josh.

I had success with one site doing this, but another one of my sites had so many competitors that my URL was pushed way down to the fifth page for “pay per click internet advertising.” My site was payperclickinternetadvertising.net. Decided to hang up the site once I realized no one would be willing to type in the URL and it didn’t any traffic for the keywords.

However, I had a catablog at buyaguitaronline.com and it did well for “buy a guitar online,” #1 on Google. I might keep that URL and do something with it in the future. It surpassed even Guitar Center Online in the first week, along with every top e commerce site.
Josh Spaulding
25th July, 2007 at 7:16 pm

It really depends 95% on your off-page optimization. This post was really just to discuss whether or not keyword rich domain names are still even looked at.

I believe they are still looked at but it’s honestly don’t believe it’s THAT big of a deal.
Jason (15 comments.)
25th July, 2007 at 7:56 pm

Josh, do you think you could do me a small favor? I hate to ask.

I just got a few subscribers for my podcast. However, when I go to me reader and try to listen, the audio is slowed down. Do you think you could subscribe to my podcast and tell me whether the audio sounds right?

I’d really appreciate it and return the favor if you ever need any “beta testing.”

Thanks bud,

Jason
Jason (15 comments.)
26th July, 2007 at 7:54 pm

Nevermind Josh. I found a podcaster to talk to and found the solution.
Josh Spaulding
26th July, 2007 at 9:12 pm

I just read your post Jason. Sorry about that. I’ll subscribe now anyway and if it doesn’t sound right I’ll let you know.
Jason (15 comments.)
28th July, 2007 at 2:18 am

Appreciate ya man. I think I got it all settled now though. I had to change a slight detail when saving the podcasts.

Talk to you later.
Internet Junkie (11 comments.)
14th February, 2008 at 8:57 pm

My domain name sucks! Well, I may change to Wordpress sometime in the future so I can choose a brand new one anyway!