As many SEO experts will tell you, a domain name is one of the most important ways to keep your website on the first page of Google. And while it has been rumored that a domain name can help drive more traffic and increase your online visibility, not all are convinced that this is actually true.
One such skeptic is our own Udemy user, Stuart Anderson. Do you have any idea what his major concern is? “The idea that every bit of my business should be run as if we’re in a race to dominate Google,” he says. “I wonder if anyone has actually looked at how Google works and its algorithms, or how to find accurate information on how to do this. Honestly, it’s too much for me.”
Still not convinced? You may want to read about the infamous “naked domain names” experiment, where a bunch of websites was found using identical domains to fool Google into thinking that they were different. And that’s not all. One fact that seems intriguing is this: there are a LOT of domains registered with similar sounding names online.
What Is A Domain Name?
A domain name is a name you’ve given to a website or blog. You can think of it as your company’s “logo” or “identity.”
So why are domain names so important? Well, there are a number of reasons, but the fact is: that they’re like a compass that directs visitors to your website. If you had two websites with identical contact information, and little else, how would people find you?
Domain names are sometimes called your “digital business cards.” Whenever someone types in the name of your business into a web browser, that search engine will look for sites named (and let’s be honest, called) after it. That is why domain names matter so much.
Good Way To Choose Domain Name for SEO:
When you’re choosing a domain name, it’s super important to do a lot of research. You need to make sure that your chosen name:
Is easy to spell (no hyphens)
Is easy to pronounce (so customers can say it confidently)
Has a lot of “weight” behind it (.com is preferred, but also consider .net, .org, and other extensions).
By way of example, John Hendrickson, CEO of WebBusinessTraining.com suggested that choosing the name “SEO Training” is a bad idea. He explained that these names are trying to compete with other related keywords in people’s heads and won’t get them what they came for. Instead, choose something that challenges the market leader. His suggestion? “Stop being so competitive!”
Different Types of Domains:
There are many different types of domains to choose from, including your traditional .com domain, your “.net” domain (named after a technical consortium), and your “extension” domains (like .edu and .net). Extension domains are seen as more professional and trustworthy by Google.
One of the most popular domains is .com, which stands for “commercial.” This extension makes it easy for people to search for your business online because they can just type in what they’re looking for without having to worry about anything else. But that’s not all. It also means “cost-effective” so you can register and maintain a domain name at a reasonable price.
Here are some other things you should know about .com extensions:
A .com domain is easier to promote, but also much harder to get (there are currently over 2 million of them on the market).
They’re more recognizable and make it easier for people to remember your business name.
All the top sites like Google, Facebook, and Twitter use .com domains (Facebook owns facebook.com). This makes them seem like reliable brands that users can trust. That’s exactly the kind of image you should go for.
What Are The Best Extensions?
As a general rule, you should choose internet extensions to match your primary market area. As an example of this, we’ll look at some familiar names such as …
Google has chosen “.com” for its business domain name because it fits with the image of this brand – as a commercial entity with global reach and appeal. In addition, by choosing “. com” you can easily find people and sites that match it. This is why “Google.com” is just as great a domain name as Google.
Some of the most well-known businesses around the world have chosen .com for their business name: Apple, Coca-Cola, L’Oreal, and others. By using a .com extension you will be able to attract more visitors from around the world and from countries that share your culture and traditions.
Is Domain Name a Google Ranking Factor?
Google says it is, but others are calling foul! While many SEO experts think that a domain name does affect Google’s rankings, others say that this is just a myth.
The fact is, the folks at Google have never clearly stated whether or not a domain name will help you rank higher in their search results. But why have there been so many opinions from different people?
Here’s the thing: .com domains are coveted by every webmaster who wants to rank high on Google. They’re simple, recognizable, and easy to remember, which helps first-time visitors land on your site.
Conclusion:
The data that we have here is pretty much a snapshot of the state of affairs. But most SEO experts will agree…
The domain name is only one factor that affects your ability to rank in Google. If you want to rank high in the SERPs, ensure your content is stellar and that you’re providing real value to your readers. How well you handle each of these factors will ultimately determine whether or not you can achieve this goal.
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