Whats in a domain name in terms of SE ranking.

[Bvrettski]

I'm curious. Whats in a domain name in terms of search engine ranking and keyword searches.

Let me provide an example:

If I sell umbrellas in New York City and my company name is Rainy Day Umbrellas am I wise to register both rainydayumbrellas.com and newyorkumbrellas.com as a way of targeting my customers and ranking better in a single search phrase for that subject?

Second question. If it is a good idea do you just forward that domain to the primary site or have a second mirrored site? Or perhaps just a landing page?

[BrianBotts.]

Since EMD updates, we haven't dropped rank at all. I'm aware of the topics on EMD, but it's been great for a certain client in a city the size of 450k. Very competitive KWd space too. In fact, we combined two of the highest searched keywords and made a single domain. The end result: this client gets calls all day long (tracking number) another thing your not supposed to do. This sites been stuck on Spot A in maps and #1 SEO results. Beyond citation done our way and good On page...no links. Go figure....

[TimHolmes]

I agree with Alick300 rather than having two domain names which will simply dilute your brand identity, why not simply go for local based results and implement specific landing pages for certain location you wish to market too.

maybe something like www.rainydaysumbrella.com/newyork or www.rainydaysumbrella.com/chicago etc

Since the EMD update, keyword rich domain names have had significantly less value. Concentrate on creating a rich brand experience with great content and customers at the heart and you won't go far wrong.

If, however you feel you cannot live without owning both domains there is no harm in owning them both some people simply do this as a safety net so others cannot utilise them. Before you buy one or maybe both domains, make sure you do a historical check of the domains to make sure there is no hidden negative history that you may have to tackle.

Goodluck selling your umbrellas

[Alick300]

Hi Brett,

If your company name is Rainy Day Umbrellas then you should register with rainydayumbrellas.com but as you mentioned that you want to register another domain newyorkumbrellas.com just to rank for few keywords like new york umbrellas,  umbrellas new york is not good idea.

I know there are still thousands of website rank for the keyword just due to keywords in domain name despite EMD update by Google.

IMO you don't need to register another domain (newyorkumbrellas.com) you can create separate landing page to target keywords or you can use city name in title and other places on webpage.

Hope this helps.

Thanks

[wearehappymedia]

For quite some time now Google and other search engines has cared way less about the domain and focused a lot more on brand integrity. That's why MOZ exists!! Because so many of the other factors rate so much higher than your domain. I have found that with a solid brand and good content the most obscure domain can rank.

Completely drop the whole URL / mirror idea and focus on what matters most: branding / UX and content.