SEO Tycoon

**shonkyboy** · 10:29 AM

I have a hypothetical question about domain names for micro sites if anyone can give a bit of (sensible) input please.

If i was to look at the following - a garage that does MOTs in Preston -
what would be consider to be the best name - in terms of SEO - and taking into account hypenation etc....

prestonmot.co.uk
motspreston.co.uk
preston-mot.co.uk
mot-preston.co.uk
mots-preston.co.uk
preston-mots.co.uk

and so on.........
In this case is hypehenation better - as then it appears as two separate words?
I know certain people may tey and shoot me down on this if they disagree - but lets keep this sensible please as its something that I would like to know what is best - rather than to be told - dont do tht at all - or get a sarcastic comment back.... T.I.A

**chrishirst** · 04-13-2011, 10:42 AM

mots-preston etc puts somewhat of a different connotation on a site that goes by that name considering that "mot" or "mott" is a Northern slang term for part of the female anatomy. Using that URI might be better suited for a localised version of a "readers wives" type of website!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAWFv43qubI

**shonkyboy** · 04-13-2011, 11:41 AM

i just knew you coulnt resist that chris - hurrrumph - not that my comments on 'sensible' was at all related to you - ahem......

- ta for the link ayway...

**chrishirst** · 04-13-2011, 02:56 PM

I've never been a fan of "keyword domains", I know there are people who claim they have "magical powers" but even if they do, you are throwing all your faith into one or two "keywords", the vagiaries of SE "ranking" and the hope that those words are what people use and will CONTINUE to use.

Also for something so parochial as "MoT testing in Preston" going to the scale of "uber competitive" optimisation is simply overkill.

**kline11** · 04-13-2011, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrishirst

I've never been a fan of "keyword domains", I know there are people who claim they have "magical powers" but even if they do, you are throwing all your faith into one or two "keywords", the vagiaries of SE "ranking" and the hope that those words are what people use and will CONTINUE to use.

Also for something so parochial as "MoT testing in Preston" going to the scale of "uber competitive" optimisation is simply overkill.

I-strongly-agree-Chris,-but-just-incase,-I've-decided-to-use-hyphens-in-my-domains-as-well-as-page-text.-Now-it's-just-become-an-annoying-habit.

**SiberForum** · 04-14-2011, 08:43 AM

Quote:

In this case is hypehenation better - as then it appears as two separate words?

Personally I suppose that it can be suitable and profitable to hyphenate domain names, but can also add that the majority of web masters prefer non-hyphenated domains..

**melovemoney** · 04-14-2011, 03:11 PM

Ifyou don't have to use hyphens then don't. It is better Seo practice without them if the domain is available.

**chrishirst** · 04-14-2011, 03:23 PM

The domain name, with or without hyphens is NOT a SEO decision. It is a business decision.