A few questions about a possible domain name for my site

[Beverly]

I am having a dilemma about a possible domain name for a site that I want to start.

I know what the site theme will be, such as the subject matter. However, I am not sure about the domain name. Part of me wants to include a familiar word or two that will let the person looking at the link know what the site content might be about. Some people are debating whether or not exact match domains are really effective for SEO anymore, but for me the words would just be useful to let the person searching on Google know they had found the right place. Then again, maybe a brandable or catchy name would be better.

Another thing that I was considering was including a dash (-) in the domain name to separate the first keyword from the rest, so that it's clearly visible. I've seen some very long domain names and often it's hard to discern what the link says. It might go something like myverylongdomainname.com (that's just an example). A dash or two would help in that situation. Also, in situations where you have two words, it would do a great job. So for instance, electronicsreviews versus electronics-reviews.

I had worried that a dash would make it too tough of a domain name to remember. But, I'm thinking that maybe it won't matter as most times, I don't type in a domain name from memory but only visit the site from a bookmark or link that I found on a forum, Facebook or elsewhere online. Maybe I'm just over thinking this part of the process.

What do you think? Are dashes OK in a domain name, or do they decrease the chances that someone will click the link or remember the domain name? Is that even a factor?

What about using a .me extension rather than .com?

Today I made up a list of really good domain names that I might want to use and feel that I have a few good ones. I'm worried that all this is just procrastination and I need to move past this point so I can get my site up and running to get visitors. In the past, I made hasty choices for domain name purchases and almost instantly regretted them. I'm just trying to be careful not to make the same mistake again.

Please give your feedback on domain name selection, etc.

 

[Ascent]

I think it depends on the type of site you're creating.

What are you looking to create? A site to be optimized purely for SEO? If so, dashes and exact keywords would be relevant here. Otherwise, if you're looking to create a community or blog- it might be better to come up with something more brandable and catchy. If you can manage to throw in a keyword within the name- more points for ya.

.me domains are typically used for personal websites and blogs. I probably wouldn't use it for a forum. Stick with .com/.net if you can.

 

[_Jerry_]

1. Include keywords in your domain name, this can attract more visitors in Google Search results
2. Use .com as tld
3. Easily pronounceable (and understandable)

 

[Ephman]

OP and all other who need killer tips on selecting powerful domain names, read this:
http://www.webhostforum.net/index.php/topic,59.0.html

 

[Beverly]

.me domains are typically used for personal websites and blogs. I probably wouldn't use it for a forum. Stick with .com/.net if you can.

Thanks for taking time to offer such a lengthy reply and your help is very much appreciated.

One of the things I'm thinking about is having a blog that features examples of my freelance work and where I can chronicle my life as a writer and freelance jobs that I am working on. It would be a showcase for anyone asking me about my work, a place they can go to see samples of my work. In a way, that's why I was even thinking of the .me TLD, rather than .com. But I don't mind using a .com, but most of the words I would want to use are already taken and I can't think of a brandable name.

I have considered including my own name in the domain name, which I have seen done for other famous internet markters. People who know my work also know my name and I'm familiar in many online communities so it's not unreasonable to think that's a good direction.

Another thing that I'm concerned about is locking myself into a specific type of blog (and this was an issue I faced when opening a forum). I am into several things, not just freelancing. So if I use the word 'freelance' or 'freelancing' in the domain name, then i'm stuck talking about just that. Though I am also a writer and affiliate marketer, forum owner and webmaster. I don't want to fall into the trap that I did when opening my forum which was to just choose a general theme, but maybe that would work with a blog. More than anything I think my trouble with domain names originates from uncertainty about the scope of my upcoming site/blog.

If I go in a new direction with my work/life, such as publishing on Kindle, then I would want the option to equally discuss tips for Kindle publication how to and not just freelance topics.

These are just a few of the things I'm wrestling with. Also just wanted to point out, this would not be a general catch all blog, such as everything from webmaster to pets topics; it would just be about things I am into such as how I'm earning money; freelancing jobs, work samples, etc.

 

[Soapbox]

With a blog a dash is not such a big deal. Mostly people would access it through a link. If you relying though on SEO, and the name needs to be memorable, or you're engaging in any sort of advertising; in other words, if the site becomes more of an independent entity, dashes are not a nice thing.