Advanced Access Blog

It is believed that Google looks at over 200 factors when it comes to deciding what your website should be ranking for and where it should be ranking. Many of those 200 factors are out of our control and even yours but there are several things you should know about your domain name to help meet a few of those 200 factors Google considers.

Domain History

A level of trust is given by search engines to websites that have been around and operating under the same focus for a lengthy period of time. If a search engine had to choose between your website and another, one factor they would take into consideration is the age of both domain names.

Consider this one factor before you decide to change your domain name or when choosing your domain name if you are a brand new customer. Make sure you are absolutely sure you want your choice to represent you for years and years to come.

Domain Age

Registering your domain for the maximum 10 year period sends a message to Search Engines that you’re in this for the long haul and is worth the money you invest in registration fees.
Another factor to consider here is that you already have a domain name for your website, and you might not want to risk changing it. We get contacted by clients all the time with requests to change the primary domain name assigned to a website, but it is best to avoid a change unless necessary for trademark or other unavoidable restrictions.

Names to Avoid

When deciding what name to choose for your Domain, it is probably going to be important for you to take a few things into consideration. Here is a checklist for you to keep with you when deciding:

1. If I use my name, will my last name change (for the ladies)
2. If I use my company name, is it possible that in the future I’ll leave this company (This is always a possibility)
3. Am I using Trademarked terms like “Realtor” or “MLS” that I shouldn’t be using?
4. If I am using my main city in my domain name, am I planning on living here for the long haul?
5. If I am using my target property type (condos) in my domain name, will this be my chosen niche for the long haul?
6. Does someone else already have a similar domain name that might conflict with yours?

Changing your domain name 5 – 10 years down the road can really have an impact in your current success within search engines. You wouldn’t spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on sending out flyers or spend a lifetime in the business meeting people and giving out your business card and then change your phone number so don’t take your domain name lightly when coming up with the name or changing your domain name.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 26th, 2009 at 4:56 pm and is filed under Product Education, Search Engine Tips, Techie Tips, Weekly Marketing Tips. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.