Using keyword-keyword for a domain name may help you rank a little higher at the moment. It is one of many “small� factors that can help you with your rankings. Yet, I would not choose a domain name solely for that reason. I suggest people pick a domain name they can build a “Brand Name� around. Most of the time this name will not have dashes in it.

First take a look at some search results for competitive terms. Notice how many sites in the top 10 in Google have “dashesâ€? in the domain name. Dashes are just one small factor that affect how your site ranks. I recommend to use “dashes” in the folder or file names to take advantage of its benefit instead of the domain name.

0 for Car Loans 1 for Boston Hotels 1 for Flowers 0 for Las Vegas Real Estate 1 for Apartments 2 for Travel Insurance 0 for Credit Cards 1 for Internet Marketing 0 for Car Insurance 1 for Mortgages

Second consider the end-user and their repeat business when choosing a site name. Let’s say you sell “Blue Mountain Coffeeâ€?. This coffee normally sells for $25-$30 a pound. Your competition already owns http://www.bluemountaincoffee.com. You buy the domain http://www.blue-mountain-coffee.com . You get your site ranked well. Samantha’s friend recommended she try Blue Mountain Coffee, she finds your site and orders $50 worth. Great you won! Or did you?

In the end, I think your competition http://www.bluemountaincoffee.com wins! You ask why? Samantha decides she loves this type of coffee and buys it once a month. Her average sale is for $50. Now most users will forget to type in the dashes. Chances are she will type in http://www.bluemountaincoffee.com and order from your competition. That is unless you did an “Exception� job in impressing her and she looks up her old receipt. Even then when she recommends your site to friends and co-workers they will forget the “dashes�. (Disclosure: I have no affiliation with either of these sites. One site is actually not even a retailer.)

How much revenue did you lose from this customer? She makes 12 purchases a year at $50. That is $600 in lost revenue over the first year. Over the course of 5 years your site lost $3,000 in potential revenue. If 50 new customers follow the same pattern in 5 year you missed out on $300,000 in revenue. For a higher volume site 300 new customers lost is equal to $1,800,000 in potential revenue over 5 year.

Now do the math on your average sale and find out how much business you could send to your competition before you choose your next domain name. Use the benefit of “Dashes” in the folder or file names

Remember the end-users.
Think of repeat business.
Build a Brand Name.

Help Rebuild the Louisiana Economy
I buy most of my coffee from Community Coffee in Louisiana. If you like dark roast this one is my favorite. Read an expert review. Help rebuild the Louisiana economy and buy a few pounds! Community Coffee is a Louisiana company that has been in business since 1919 and is the largest family-owned coffee company in America.