Pointing multiple domains to the same site

Started by abcdf, 10-06-2011, 22:23:15

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abcdfTopic starter

Hi,

I have selected a domain name for a new website, this name is a unique word so it is good for branding.

But, I have another domain in mind that contains all the target keywords but is very generic and bad for branding.

Will it be any good for SEO to buy the second generic domain and point it to the first one? or is it useless for SEO?


lucygomez

#1
The effect of exact match domains (EMDs) on SEO has changed quite a bit over the years. Traditionally, having a domain name that contained a keyword you wanted to rank for could give you a considerable boost. However, Google's algorithm has evolved in an attempt to reduce low-quality content in search results, and this includes reducing the advantage of EMDs.

In 2012 Google released an EMD update that was designed to reduce the effectiveness of these types of domains. So, if all other factors are equal, a website with an EMD is no longer likely to outrank a website without one. That said, that doesn't mean that EMDs have no use at all. If your domain is relevant to the content of your website and isn't spammy, it can still be helpful to some degree.

As for your question about purchasing a generic, keyword-loaded secondary domain and redirecting it to your primary branded domain, this is unlikely to provide any significant SEO benefits. The reason for this is that Google generally passes the ranking value (PageRank) based on the content of a page, not the domain name itself. Since the generic domain would essentially be devoid of content (as it's just redirecting to your primary domain), it isn't likely to contribute much (if anything) from an SEO perspective.

Additionally, Google advises against creating 'doorway' pages, whose sole purpose is to attract search engine traffic only to redirect users to a different destination, and considers such practices as part of the Google Webmaster Guidelines violations.

A better approach to SEO would be to focus on creating great content that provides value to your users, optimizing your site's technical performance (loading speed, mobile-friendliness, etc.), building high-quality backlinks, and ensuring a great user experience. These are the factors that Google's algorithms emphasize, and improving them can lead to better search engine rankings.

more details about making a good branding decision for your website and improving SEO:

Brand-oriented domain vs. Keyword-oriented domain: While exact match domains don't hold the value they once did, there might still be some minor benefits to a keyword-rich domain, such as click-through rates from people who see the domain in search results and recognize it as relevant to their interests. However, the power of a brand-oriented domain, especially for longer-term projects, should not be underestimated. A unique, catchy, and branded domain name can be pivotal for building a memorable brand that attracts repeat visitors.

Importance of Backlinks: Backlinks are incredibly important for SEO. The number of backlinks a site has (especially from other authoritative sites) indicates to Google that your content is highly regarded in your field. Try to focus on gaining quality links organically through relationships, producing amazing content, guest posting etc.

Focus on Content: Google's algorithms are prioritizing high-quality, relevant content now more than ever. Make sure your content is original, well-written, error-free, and provides genuine value to visitors. Use keyword research to determine what your potential customers are looking for, and tailor your content to those keywords without resorting to "keyword stuffing."

Technical Optimization: Ensure your site loads quickly, is easy to navigate, and provides an excellent user experience (UX). Today, mobile usability is also crucial, as more searches are conducted on mobile devices than desktop computers. Also, with the introduction of Core Web Vitals as a ranking factor in 2021, aspects like Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), First Input Delay (FID) and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) - essentially measures of loading performance, interactivity, and visual stability - have become important.

Local SEO: If your business operates locally, local SEO is critical. This can include optimizing your Google My Business profile and ensuring your NAP (Name, Address, Phone number) is consistent across all platforms.

Social Signals: While Google has mentioned that social signals (likes, shares, etc.) are not direct ranking factors, many SEO professionals agree that they can still indirectly influence rankings. Building a strong social media presence can also drive traffic to your site, increasing the likelihood of earning natural backlinks.

Domain Age - Older domains are seen as more trustworthy by Google, as scammy or low-quality sites rarely last long. So, it's good to keep a domain and continue to improve that website over time rather than jumping between domains.

Here are even more key elements with regards to SEO:

Long-tail Keywords: Long-tail keywords are longer and more specific keyword phrases that visitors to your website are more likely to use when they're closer to a point-of-purchase. They're a little bit counter-intuitive at first but can be hugely valuable once you start using them. Long-tail keywords account for the majority of web searches, which means that if you're not targeting them, you're missing out on potential traffic. Having a keyword strategy that includes these longer keyword phrases can be beneficial in improving your SEO.

Schema Markup: This is a way to help Google's algorithms understand the context of your content, which can lead to better visibility on SERPs (Search Engine Results Pages). Structured data markup or Schema can be particularly helpful when Google decides to use it to display rich snippets.

Meta Descriptions and Title Tags: These are perhaps two of the most crucial components of an SEO-friendly webpage. They help search engines understand what the page is about, and more importantly, they show up in SERPs. Well-written and compelling meta descriptions and title tags can improve click-through rates.

Internal Linking: This practice can help search engines understand the structure of your website and determine the hierarchy of pages. Internal linking means that you link from one page on your site to another page on your site. It helps to spread link equity (ranking power) throughout your site, and it can improve navigation for users.

Image Optimization: Images can play a role in your site's overall SEO. Make sure your images have file names and alt text relevant to your page's content to provide context to search engines.

Voice Search Optimization: Voice search is growing at a rapid rate with the increase in the use of digital assistants and smart home devices. Making sure your website's content can be easily found via voice searches can improve your SEO.

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL): Google has confirmed that HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure), which requires an SSL certificate, is a ranking signal. Besides, users are likely to trust and engage more with websites that are secured.

Regularly Update Content: Regularly refreshing your existing content lets search engines know that your site is being maintained and updated, which may contribute positively to your ranking over time.

User Engagement: User engagement metrics, like bounce rate and page session duration, can also impact SEO. Websites that provide a strong user experience will often have users that stay on the site for longer periods and view more pages, both of which can lead to higher rankings.

Above all, the most critical aspect of SEO is staying adaptable. The factors that search engines use to decide which pages rank the highest are constantly changing, so it's essential to stay on top of the latest trends in the SEO world.