Domain name SEO - Optimization strategies

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  1. Use your top search term.
    Determine your top search terms for which you want to be found.  Pick the one which is most applicable to your site, and make sure it appears in your domain name.
  2. Make sure it's nothing like an established domain name.
    That means don't use yahooo.com, facebok.com, flicker.com, etc.  The examples I'm using are obvious, but it's possible to do this by accident.  Search for variations of the domain name you've chosen using the * wildcard.  For example, search for pressr*d.com.
  3. Buy the .com. 
    When searching for your site, most people try the .com first.  Even if your website is non-profit, but the .com version and redirect it to .org.  The .com is also more authoritative in the mindset of most people.  The only time you should not use the .com is if your site is specific to geography (.ca), a government website (.gov), or non-profit.
  4. Easily typed. 
    The domain name should be as short as possible and easy to spell.  No complicated words, not hard to type letters.  Avoid uncommon letters.
  5. Easy to remember. 
    It took me a long time to come up with "pressreload.com."  It's the two common words put together to form a phrase that I, as a web developer, use often.  "Don't see that new image on the site?  Press reload!"
  6. Specific to your subject.
    The domain name should be specific to your subject matter and fulfill the user's expectations of what they'll find when they follow the domain name to your web site.  Larger websites which have spent millions marketing their domain brand can get away with not doing this; sites like amazon.com and yahoo.com.  However, if you're just starting out, you probably don't have the benefit of a big budget
  7. Avoid trademark infringement. 
    This can take your website down.  Check out "Is Your Small Business Trademark Infringement Proof" on about.com.
  8. Create a brand. 
    Try to do more than plug a few keywords together.  Use a phrase or a metaphor and make your domain name creative.  This can help make your domain name more memorable.
  9. Letters only.
    Do not use hyphens, underscores, or numbers.  They're hard to remember.
  10. Be unique.
    This applies to pretty much everything.  Don't follow trends in domain names, such as using made-up words for Web 2.0 sites.  This has been done to death.  What works for others will not necessarily work for you.
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