Which Domain Name to Choose

[WithGodInc]

A non-profit I run owns two domains - ChristianSimplicity.com and SimpleLivingWithGod.com.

I have just started producing content under ChristianSimplicity.  These are long-term projects and we have resources to commit to them.  They do not need an economic return and that is not going to be sought.

Ultimately I want the sites to rank high on the key words like -

Simple Living

Living a Simple Life

Living Well

The Good Life

Christian Lifestyle

Christian Simple Living

I have a two part question. . .  I'll ask the first part now.  The second may be irrelevant depending on the first answer.

**Which domain name of the two is best to start out the site?  **

We already have some content on the first site, but are early enough in the process that it isn't a big deal for us to switch and I don't think we will lose too much with respect to rankings.

Will the second domain name partial match on key word phrase help significantly more in ranking for the harder term Simple Living?  I already rank 14 for Christian Simple Living - and I'm willing for that to drop to have the longer term goal of ranking higher on Simple Living.

Thanks.

[WithGodInc]

If I'm understanding you correctly you are suggesting the following . . .

<title>About | Simple Living with God</title>    
simplelivingwithgod.com/about/

<title>Guide | Simple Living with God</title> 
simplelivingwithgod.com/guide/

<title>Books | Simple Living with God</title> 
simplelivingwithgod.com/books/

<title>Consider the Birds of the Air | Simple Living with God</title> 
simplelivingwithgod.com/consider-the-birds-of-the-air/

<title>The Place of Praise in Simple Living | Simple Living with God</title> 
simplelivingwithgod.com/the-place-of-praise-in-simple-living/

<title></span><span>Compassion: A Reflection on the Christian Life | Simple Living with God</span><span class="webkit-html-tag"></title> simplelivingwithgod.com/books/compassion-a-reflection-on-the-christian-life

Would the above be ok?  Any of them too spammy?

Wondering if I should add make books and guide  Simple Living Books and Simple Living Guide or is doubling that with my Brand in the title too much?

Also does it matter if I use | or - as the separator?

[jws8118]

I think SimpleLivingWithGod.com will help you rank faster for simple living queries.  Titling with your brand name at the end is a best practice in my opinion but definitely not required.  I never recommend leading with the brand name unless you are Sears.com or WalMart.com.  Those brands are recognizable to the point it makes sense to lead your titles with the brand b/c the brand actually drives CTR.  If you're brand isn't known and you aren't investing heavily in the brand they I think your keyword targeted approach is the best option.  Just don't get carried away and spammy with it and make sure your page titles reflect the actual content on the page and you should be good to go.

Thumbs up if this helps!

Thanks,

[Craigseo]

Hi again

You can title your pages as you see fit, the example you are using :

<title>Simple Living in God's Care - About Christian Simplicity</title>
http://christiansimplicity.com/simple-living-in-gods-care/

Is fine to use, you just need to make sure the content on that page reflects the title you are using. and that the content you do use is unique.

Personally i do not use the brand name at the end of every title, i see no need to do this, as your domain states who you are and there is no need to have it on the end of every title. I only have on a title what i want to target and whats on that page.

Others do tend to add the brand at the end, some use it at the start, and they rank too, so there is no " correct " way of doing that in my opinion.

[WithGodInc]

Ok, if I go with Christian Simplicity. . .

Is it appropriate to title my pages like they are now?

<title></span><span class="webkit-html-tag">Simple Living in God's Care - About Christian Simplicity</span><span class="webkit-html-tag"></title>
http://christiansimplicity.com/simple-living-in-gods-care/

That is what the "About" | "Christian Simplicity"  menu item points too.

Also, since I'm not as much worried about Brand as I am about key words Simple Living and things like that, should I lead with the Keyword in the Title and put the brand at the end instead of the other way around?

That is

<title>Simple Living Guide - Christian Simplicity</title>

instead of

<title>Christian Simplicity - Simple Living Guide</title>

I'm surprised though - I thought if my goal is to ultimately make it to the first page in ranks for Simple Living, that having Simple Living in the url and every title (as the brand) would help it rank higher for that.

<title>Simple Living - My Favorite Post Title</title>  http://simplelivingwithgod.com/my-favorite-post-title

Versus

<title>My Favorite Post Title | Christian Simplicity</title> http://christiansimplicity.com/my-favorite-post-title

Granted I am a novice and there is so much information online that is either confusing or contradictory.

[Craigseo]

In my opinion the domain name that is best is the one that reads best and is easy to remember. Having a keyword in a domain isnt as useful as it once was after the EMD update.

Personally i would use the first of the 2 as it is easier to read and remember. Which in turn has longer term benefits.