Domain names can play a significant role in search engine optimisation (SEO) and can impact your website’s visibility and ranking in search engine results pages. While domain names alone won’t guarantee a high ranking on search engines, they can certainly help in establishing credibility and relevance for your website.
What is a domain name?
A domain name is a crucial component of your online presence. It is the unique name that identifies a website on the internet. In simpler terms, it is the address of your website that users type into their web browser to access your site.
A domain name consists of two main parts: the top-level domain (TLD) and the second-level domain. The TLD is the ending of the domain name, such as .com, .org, .net, .edu, or country-specific endings like .uk or .au. The second-level domain is the actual name of your website, which can be anything you choose (as long as it’s available).
Do domain names help with SEO?
Despite dominant figureheads in the SEO community stating that domain names do not impact your rankings, there is a shared consensus amongst those of us who frequently test and experiment with different SEO methods that domain names do in fact have an impact on your SEO performance.
While a domain name might not be the be-all and end-all of your SEO strategy, it can bolster and boost your other SEO efforts where you are trying to target very specific keywords. Not exploring this ranking potential is a huge missed opportunity (in my opinion).
How do domain names help with SEO?
Keyword-rich domain names
Having a domain name that includes relevant keywords can help improve your website’s visibility in search engine results. When users search for specific keywords related to your business or industry, having those keywords in your domain name can increase the chances of your website appearing in search results.
Brand credibility
A strong and memorable domain name can help build your brand’s credibility and authority in your industry. Users are more likely to trust and click on a website with a professional and relevant domain name.
Brand recognition
A unique and memorable domain name can help differentiate your brand from competitors and make it easier for users to remember and revisit your website. This can lead to more organic traffic and repeat visitors, which can positively impact your SEO efforts.
Backlink anchor text
When other websites link back to your website, they often use your domain name as the anchor text for the link. Having a keyword-rich domain name can help improve the relevance and authority of these backlinks.
Choosing a domain name for SEO
This is a crucial step in establishing your online presence and ensuring that your website ranks well in search engine results. Your domain name plays a significant role in determining the relevance of your website to specific search queries, so it’s essential to choose a domain name that is not only memorable but also optimised for search engines.
1. Include keywords
Including relevant keywords in your domain name can help improve your website’s visibility in search engine results. Consider incorporating your primary target keywords into your domain name to signal to search engines what your website is about.
2. Keep it short and memorable
A short and memorable domain name is easier for users to remember and type into their browsers. Avoid using numbers, hyphens, or special characters that can confuse users and make your domain name harder to remember.
3. Choose a top-level domain (TLD)
Selecting the right TLD can also impact your SEO efforts. While .com is the most common and widely recognised TLD, other options like .net, .org, or country-specific TLDs can also be suitable. Choose a TLD that best represents your website and target audience.
4. Avoid trademarked names
Steer clear of choosing a domain name that infringes on trademarked names or brands. Using trademarked names can result in legal issues and damage your website’s reputation.
5. Conduct a domain availability check
Before finalising your domain name, make sure it is available and not already in use by another website. Conduct a domain availability check to ensure that your chosen domain name is unique and can be registered.
6. Consider branding
Your domain name should reflect your brand identity and convey a sense of professionalism. Choose a domain name that aligns with your brand and leaves a positive impression on visitors.
Including keywords in your domain name absolutely can have a positive impact on SEO. If someone searches for “best bakery in NYC” and your domain name contains those keywords, search engines may view your website as more relevant to that search query.
However, having a keyword-rich domain name is not a guarantee of SEO success. They are just one piece of the puzzle. It’s important to focus on creating high-quality content, building strong backlinks and providing a good user experience with optimised site speed in addition to choosing a relevant domain name. Combining these efforts with a carefully selected domain name gives you the best chance of increasing your rankings in the search engine results and driving more traffic to your website.