Page 2 - How important is a domain name in SEO?

MadisonSEO... On many subjects we agree, but to try to maintain that url verbage in any significant way (except for internal pages) will help you on the Internet in the SEO world is just plain wrong. I will agee to disagree with you. I will not post a "disagree" to your erroneous post. I just want to say that you are wrong... Go for ease of memorization in choosing domain names. For subset file names... go for keywords.

You do raise a valid distinction here. Those of us that value long term branded domains that get return business and word and mouth reccomendations and those that rely justr on SE traffic and associated adsense revenue etc.

I donot think anyone really disagrees the best is an easy to brand - keyword rich name. The discussion really comes with the keyword stuffed domain names. ie something like www.seattleplumber.com would be a very good domain name but www.best-and-cheapest-plumber-plumbing-drains-toilets-seattle.com is IMO not a good domain name.

Also there is the issue with tlds ie it is hard to brand your comapny if many people are using the same domain name with different tld ie seattleplumber.biz seattleplumber.info seattleplumber.net seattleplumber.cc etc....

Thus the OP question is a very good one really. ie how important. I s'pose than context is really what matters. We could go from one extreme if you are in an seo competition and are trying to get best ranks in a few weeks its probably very importatnt if you already have a well branded company and are just creating a website to support its already existing marketing its probably not important at all. And a range in between.

As for me I used to (many years ago) be in the throw awy short term domain and traffic sector. Now I am not. To me if you are in the game for the longer term and beleive that return traffic and word and mouth recomendations are important (also if you are required to give your website often over the phone) avoid long domain names with multiple words and hyphens. These things look very unprofessional and are less likely to attract quality organic links IMO.

If you can get a keyword rich domain that is easy to brand and remeber go for it. I would not recommend a domain that is already being used with a different tld mostly (The exception being country specifc domains).

Finally what ever imprtance KIDs do have are far outweighed by the content and links of the website in the longer term IMHO.

If my business was going to be limited to the city of Boston and I had a successful real estate business to support it, I would want BostonRealEstate.com. *salivating* I would pay a lot for that domain.

BostonRealEstate.com is easy to remember and it makes you THE MAN!

BostonRealEstate.com would communicate to people who do not know you (first time sellers, first time buyers) that you are in that business in a serious way. Who needs branding when you own a domain like that - the domain says it all.

Owning BostonRealEstate.com would give me enormous personal energy and when I have that behind me my competitors are in huge trouble.

And if you want a good example of KIDS being important, take a look at this search http: //uk.search.yahoo.com/search?p=underfloor+heating&fr=yfp-t-501&ei=UTF-8&rd=r1 it just demonstrates how much weight Yahoo.co.uk as put on KIDS in my field, before they did this, me and a few of my competion were in the top ten.

It's only a big advantage if you don't understand anything in business & marketing...

If your website can only get hack links [it has no hope of getting any solid links and you gotta beg the bottomfeeders] then ya OK I'll agree - you gotta get an advantage where ever you can get it.

Unfortunately, the domain name isn't a factor in being found acceptable for a link listing - the content of the domain [for all links that matter] is what allows you to gain a link.

If you got solid content - you get links easy and the domain name isn't a factor

If your content sucks - you don't get links that matter and the domain name will not make a difference.

For those that chose to take the advice that KIDs mean little to nothing, and do not provide any SEO advantage, but only provide an advantage of being remembered. I pity you.

I have made 3 million+ doing in house SEO for affiliate programs. I am 25. I have done this for only 4 years, but have proved time and time again, KIDs are major advantange.

I WILL NOT, and HAVE NOT said you don't need great relevant links and other on page optimization (content, etc) to rank high.

You can take my advice, or you can take the advice of those that spend days on end sitting here hoping to be rich with their silly blog, or SEO site, dreaming of making it big.

Fathom , you are ridiculous for giving me -25 points rep. This forum is about opinion and you have just abused your power. Childish if you ask me.

wow, wow, wow ****SIGH****

EGOL, I have only had the luxury of posting on the same topics as you about 10-15 times. We have a lot of the same views, when I read your input on Fishkin's "ranking factors" thing he did a while back, I always tended to agree with your responses. I just wanted to say I appreciate you, and your input on this forum. You are always calm and straight to the point with credible answers. Keep it up. How some of these guys can have as many posts as you and not understand this simple concept, BLOWS MY MIND, but hey, we'll just always be a step ahead I guess

I see a good debate on the way. I do think that having a keyword in your URL is a big plus - especially to new sites. It does help in ranking. But maintaining that ranking would greatly depend on MORE IMPORTANT factors

Of Course!

MadisonSEO... You are confusing things. Having a keyword in the domain name is not that important. HOWEVER, to have a domain name that is highly memorable, brandable, and contains the primary keyword is a killer. THAT is what EGOL is talking about with BostonRealEstate.com. If I am selling blue and white widgets that fit only larger people in Boston... what good is the domain name: www.bostonblueandwhitewidgetsforlargerpeople.com. It has the keywords... but is totally ridiculous. There are always exceptions.

In one thread here we discusssed www.software.com... what a phenomenal domain name for a host of reasons... Such would be the same for www.BostonRealEstate.com.

I guess somebody here would like to be like EGOL...

SEO_AM hit got the point. realestateboston.com or itjobs.com or usedcars.com are killer domains. BUT just to have the KW in the URL you would not register ringtone-us-download-games-wallpaper-free.com because it is rubbish for branding and useless for your ranking. Iguess EGOL would not take that URL.

If you made 3 million with inhouse SEO why dont you relax and cool down instead of screaming around, abusing people for giving you (justified) negative rep and not listening other peoples words?

I guess EGOL and you went out together... almost married but than this big monster fathom came and took him away from you, jesus fathom how dare you... I guess EGOL and fathom sit together in a pub and have a nice chilled beer together while you sit on your millions.

wow. is it always like this round here? ..for what its worth I agree with Madison but the other side too.

in our experience (no millions but several KIDS in fairly solid number ones ;) it is a big advantage, but it can also be done the hard way too.