One client - 2 domains / same business - good or bad idea?

[Mrupp44]

This is a follow up to a previous question actually:

My client has one domain that has 'hardwood flooring' in it and one that has 'concrete polishing' in it - both services they offer.

**Would it be wise (for seo purposes) to have them both point to ONE domain (more general of course) **

**- They only have a few local competitors that aren't doing anything to rank well. **

**- They aren't trying to rank nationally. **

If the smart thing to do is to have them point to one (more general) domain using a 301 direct will there traffic drop significantly? (at least for a short time)

Does it matter if they continue to keep the existing domains they are using now on their literature, business cards, etc. and let them continue pointing to the new domain or should they really start promoting the new domain name? (They do NOT want to do this).

My only concern is saving them time and money by not having to build links, submit articles, social media, on and on for two different sites

OK, that's like 3 questions

Thank you VERY much for any thoughts or opinions on the matter!

Have a great week everybody!

Matthew

[CoreyNorthcutt]

Hi Matthew,

The 'multiple domains for one company' conversation is one that I feel like I've had hundreds of times now.  It's a little subjective, but my advise is almost always absolutely not.  Why not:

• The SEO benefits of having a keyword in domain exist, but they're just one factor out of at least 200.  They might just as well negate a brand looking stupid by building a few more great links, and keep the same rankings.

• Keywords in a domain usually mean crappier branding.    Personally, I'd be far more likely to want to buy from, or send a natural inbound link at seomoz.org, than buy-the-best-seo-software.com.

• One domain with high domain authority from inbound links will often dominate two domains with moderate authority.   And building up authority in inbound links isn't easy.

• Any type of crafty interlinking in these scenarios is never nearly as clever as the person thinks.

The only scenario where I might keep both would be if both of them had a place as very strong businesses each by themselves, or the two topics would be completely categorized differently (ie. one business does flooring, the other sells kittens).

-C