Dashes in domain names?

[DLHMG]

Any thoughts on this? Is there much of a difference between i-love-the-name.com or.....ilovethename.com as far as SEO is concerned? Thanks once again in advance for your help and advice.

[Kangaroo Jack]

I was taught to keep away from dashes because it didn't look professional. However, I believe there is no difference. And I do use dashes. Many well known marketers also use dashes.

The spiders will be able to pick out your main keywords whether they are strung together or separated with dashes. Just use some common sense when choosing your domain.

blackpony.com
black-pony.com
i-wish-i-had-a-big-black-pony.com (this doesn't look to good)

[golfer57]

Hello,
Here is what I think. Who was first. In most cases the ILoveDogs.com probably came before I-Love-Dogs.com. Most people when they type a domain will not use dashes. So the thought is who came first, the one without the dashes. As Kangaroo Jack says, the engines are smart enough to pick I love dogs out of ilovedogs.com. So, it is up to you. I use both also. Anxiety Panic Attacks I even mix them together. Up to you
Steve

[cobwab]

Originally Posted by DLHMG

Any thoughts on this? Is there much of a difference between i-love-the-name.com or.....ilovethename.com as far as SEO is concerned? Thanks once again in advance for your help and advice.

Text to speech programs for the blind and sight impaired can read and speak the dashed domain names. They cannot convert the domain names that are all one word to speech so a sight impaired person would miss the domain name.

[DLHMG]

Thank all of you again for your thoughtful input.

[Odin]

I'm with Cobwab on this one.
There is no right or wrong domain name.
The ideal is a short concise punchy keyword with .com
If it's taken...Try inserting dashes.

Your domain name depends on how you are going to brand yourself or your product. The age old analogy is Mcdonalds. What did that word have to do with the selling of burgers? Now, because of the branding, burgers are synonymous with Mcdonalds.

Be always aware of the visually impaired and their impact on the marketplace. This is now a very fast growing market.

Good luck

[Marc]

personally I do not like to use dash's in domains.

Though I do have domains with dash's in them.

Sometimes it can even compliment a domain.

Use personal judgement.

Regards
Marc