Years ago I paid $1500 for keyword rich, two-word.com and it has worked out really well.

However, if I had it to do over again I wouldn't.  Now I think a unique, brandable domain name with one of the keywords in it for $10 is a better choice.

example:
2-word keyphrase:  abcde-efghij.com
unique/brandable: abcdeworld.com

Regards,
Sam

Come-on Rand...other guru's...Help!  Looks like there are many of us that need to know what to do!

Knowing that you aren't alone is "kinda" comforting but it doesn't help the bank account.  I was speaking with my adword rep yesterday & raised a bit o' hell.  I know they can't do anything but it felt good.

I've always felt that Google was full of it.  They've always stated that the person searching is their customer and that search results are supposed to give that searcher the best results possible. HA!  I fought that for years seeing poor quality websites beating me when all they had was a 1 page website that was listed on DMOZ.

For the last few years we had real competition. Good websites, good competitors and a fair shake.

Now it seems they have figured out how to increase the odds of the ppc ad being clicked with mega sites like walmart or amazon showing up in the top 4-5 positions leading the searcher to click on the ppc. I mean seriously...google the phrase "picnic baskets" and look at the results.

To that end - Google reported Q3 2012 revenues of $14.10 billion, representing a 45% increase compared to Q3 2011.

I run a niche website (www.picnic-basket.com) that is approaching 10 years old.  I have consistently added new content, performed redesigns, etc and WAS rewarded with a #1 placement on Google for my main keyword phrase for quite a long time. All our links are natural, no link-farms and I don't  do exchanges either.

I blog, write articles about our niche, have free cookbooks, delicious recipes and are always finding cool new products. FB & Twitter are also maintained.

After Panda I'm now below the fold with amazon.com, bedbathandbeyond.com, worldmarket.com, overstock.com and brookstone.com all above me.

These sites don't have anything to do with my niche other than just selling some items.

ROI is horrible for me with PPC on this keyword phrase. I'm sure Googles' revenue has increased quite a bit in this category because users only see relevant websites up in the paid area.

Through years of hard work I was finally able to beat my old niche competitors but I'm left wondering,  How do I beat the "Big Boys"?

Any advice for someone like me?