How to Optimize Your Domain Name for SEO Best Practices 2018
Use the SEO Best Practices 2018 to Choose a Search Friendly Domain
Your domain name sounds good, but is it SEO friendly? Here’s how to keep your domain name in line with the SEO best practices for 2018.
Before your website even launches, you’re worried about SEO. You’re wishing you could hear three little words: SEO is dead. That would sure make all the pressure of your site being optimized lifted off your shoulders.
Unfortunately, SEO is anything but deceased. In fact, it’s evolving.
Although it’s something that can’t be mastered overnight, there is one way to quickly optimize your website without much effort. It starts with your domain name.
As part of the SEO best practices 2018, we’ll go over how to effectively optimize your domain name. Ready to get started?
Keep reading!
Use Keywords
When you think of SEO, what often comes to mind? Keywords, right?
They’re the lifeblood of being properly optimized. If you don’t use the right ones, how will anyone find you in the digital world? Keep that in mind as you’re crafting your domain name.
Rather than use keyword rich words (such as bestbeautyproductsforwomenover50.com), use broader terms instead. The reason for this is because of Google. They wanted to cut down on low-quality sites ranking solely based off of a keyword-dense domain.
In summary, include keywords but don’t pick ones that are so specific.
Make It Memorable
You’ll want a domain name people will remember. More so, it should be something they can pronounce as well. Don’t make it a mouthful that’s complicated to say.
Keep it simple by using words that aren’t unusual. It’s also best to avoid numbers. As for the length, less than 15 characters is ideal.
To make sure yours is readable, write it down on a piece of paper and ask a friend to pronounce it. If they’re struggling, back to the drawing board it is.
Don’t Use Another Top-level Domain as an Alternative
Let’s say you’ve created the perfect domain name. You check to see if it’s available.
Turns out, the .com version is the only one that’s taken. All the other top-level domains-.org, .net, .al-are up for grabs.
It’s tempting to just buy a different top-level domain but it’s not a wise decision. It’s seen as spammy.
If someone accidentally types in your domain rather than the .com version, they’re expecting a certain kind of content. When they don’t see that content, they won’t return to your site in fear that it’s phony.
Hyphens Are a No-No
For readability purposes, you’d think to add hyphens, especially if your domain is more than one word. Hyphens are another indication of spam.
However, if you really can’t stand the look of multiple words smashed together, you can add one hyphen. One won’t be that detrimental like five would.
Keep It Consistent
As a brand, you’ll be in a lot of places on the Internet. One of them is your website and the others are probably social networks.
To keep consistency throughout your brand, check to make sure your domain name is available on social media platforms. While you won’t be using “mysite.com” as your name, you do want to make sure “mysite” isn’t taken.
If it is, you can use underscores, or attach “blog” or “shop” or “site” to the end but it’s best to get it without any variations.
For the SEO Best Practices 2018, Start with Your Domain
SEO is a complicated thing. It can’t be mastered overnight and it’s always changing.
One thing you can control, however, is your domain name. Choose one that’s short, concise, and easy to remember. Once you nail your SEO best practices 2018, you’ll be ready to optimize the rest of your site.
Looking for more articles like this one? Check out the rest of our blog today!
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