Domain Keywords?

[Art72]

First off, how critical are the keywords used in the domain name?

I read here on WF somewhere that it can help build traffic, but really it all boils down to the sites content. Obviously, I don't want my domain to be something completely random like metalhead.com if my content is centered around "blues music".

Also, someone stated some prime examples like GoDaddy...who would ever search those specific keywords, or FaceBook, MySpace, yet they rape in traffic like McDonald's does kids.

I was just playing with the Big G's keyword tool for some domain ideas, and was curious about a few things. For example the direct keywords: 'online marketing' get roughly 550,000 hits and has a ton of competiton.

So if I added The Art of Online Marketing...the direct hits are by far less. But, does it increase my chances of getting a 'hit' due to the fact; names like Online Art, Art Online, Marketing Art Online, etc...increase the variations?

Above is a really a 'bad' example because I am not selling art, so much as seeking visitors interested in online marketing. Therefore, do the domain keywords really make a difference, when most the "truly valuable words/domains" are already gone?

Naturally, I am trying to concentrate my efforts based on quality content/writing.

*Also, what does adding a hyphen do to the domain name?

Example: Online-Marketing.com *does this still get recognized as equal to
OnlineMarketing.com or does it 'knock it down"?

Sorry, just brainstorming some ideas.

 

[bauss]

dont search broad, use the exact checkbox

and start off in a easier niche where you can get an exact match domain

 

[jody_w]

If you can't get an exact match domain, add words to the end of the domain. To use your example above, instead of TheArtOfOnlineMarketing.com you'd be better off with OnlineMarketingTips.com or OnlineMarketingStrategies.com.

 

[qualo]

read up on keywords and seo

 

[EliteIM]

Keyword in Domain does help, but it is only one of over 200 different algorithm used by Big G. And adding a hyphen does not make any difference either, it is used under following two conditions:
a). The domain name without hyphen is already booked and unavailable
b). The domain name is too long and hence hyphen is added to make it more readable.

Hope that helps, thanks

 

[Art72]

Solid advice...Thanks

 

[shankshera]

Keyword on domain is important thing if you are new in IM. Getting traffic from exact match searchers will increase your confidence. It's what happened to me!