Many people think it is very important to have keywords in a domain name. People purchase domains like buy-cheap-discount-laptop-computers-online.com. This is a horrible long domain name! Keywords in the domain name are usually important, but it usually can be done while keeping the domain short, memorable, and free of hyphens.

The following important points are to be taken care of while thinking of buying a domain.

Long vs Short Domain Names:

People often forget the words in a domain if you have an exceptionally long domain name. Another problem with exceptionally long URL's is that they get cut off in emails and some other data transmission types. If you make the idea hard to spread then your site will most likely limit its potential income.

Dashed Domain Names:

Search engines do not read the words in your URL if they are ran together. Many webmasters separate the words in their domain names using dashes. In the past the domain name itself was a significant ranking factor. As search engines have advanced it is not very significant factor anymore.

If you are just using quick buck lead generation type websites then you may want to use a dashed domain for the small benefit it may offer, but in most cases I do not recommend a dashed domain name.

TLD Domain Selection:

Some regional based search engines or indexes will only list sites which are registered in their country code. If your site caters to a specific country then you will most likely want to register a domain using the local country code. Some search engines will still show your site in regional based search results if your site is hosted within that country or have your address and phone number in the page text, but many directories are extremely picky and will only list regional domains. As search progresses localization of results will become more common. Some of the major search engines already give sites a regional ranking boost based upon where the site is hosted and the domain extension. If you place your site on your regional domain (.co.us for example), I also suggest buying the .com version of your domain if it is available and forwarding it to the regional domain you registered.

Have a Site for Each Language:

Many hucksters sell some translational cross submission type products that are complete bunk. Essentially you pay them money to accept your check and nothing more. Search engines do not translate text on the fly when people search (though page translation is an option after the search).

If you use automated software to copy your text into a different language it is likely to read clumsily and turn people off. You are better off not having the text visible on the web if you did not have a person fluent in that language proof the final product.

Branding Your Site:

Your keyword rich domain name will make it easy to get inbound link text with your primary keywords in them, but don’t forget that your domain name also plays a role into your branding. Your domain name should have your branding in mind as it can help reinforce the ideals of your brand.

The Right Domain Name:

I either make my domain names define themselves exactly or I think of a creative way to state its purpose – either way I try hard to get their primary keywords in the domain name. At less than $10 each, you can have multiple domains directed to the same site.

Buying Multiple Names:

Often times it is worth it to buy multiple domain names, even if you do not use them all. By securing multiple domain names you can decide to use some of your secondary domains to cover similar thematically related topics AND prevent competitors from purchasing the name.

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