Which domain to use for SE business listings?
-
For a first time, new website. I have a Barber shop in Hartford named "Dixie Cutters" with two domains, dixiecutters.com and barberhartford.com. Obviously the latter domain has two main keywords, barber and location...Hartford. So it would be better to use that and use a 301 redirect for dixiecutters.com to redirect to barberhartford.com.
Many online directories including SE listings on Google Places, BIng and Yahoo have already been set up withe domain "dixiecutters.com" and the email address [email protected].
If I choose to make barberhartford.com the primary domain with dixiecutters.com 301 redirecting to it....does this mean that I should then change the directory listings and more specifically, the SE business listings so that they have the primary domain listed (barbarhartford.com) with an email address [email protected]? Or can I leave all of this alone and keep as stated above without any SEO local consequences.
I know consistency is a big issue with NAP. I also know it's recommended to use an email address with your domain name in the SE business listings. If a 301 is in place, can I use dixiecutters.com in my listings?
-
If this is a real business with real long term plans I would use the branded domain name. This feels more professional and as a business owner I would rather be identified with my company name on the internet rather than city+service.com.
On the other hand you can use the keyword domain to have two listings on Google. Question is, are you will doing to put in the time!!!
-
Good stuff, you give a compelling argument. Right now there is no site up just a few months of Google Places, Bing and Yahoo. I am supposed to make the decision this weekend now I am confused about what to do.
Brand and consistency make a lot of sense and "WTF is that" sorta hits that home thanks for your help.
-
Yelp is an authoritative domain and that enables it to defeat lots of small local sites who might be more relevant but not as authoritative.
However, I believe that if you can get a local listing in google, have some links from local business associations, local directories, chamber of commerce, your landlord, local service clubs, local tourism association..... some facebook action from people in your community... then I think that you have a chance to rank above them.
You might have a slightly better chance using a keyword domain, however if you already have an existing site with any history at all I would put all of my energy into that site.
These local SERPs usually are not so competitive - even if yelp is in there.
If it takes just a little longer to get a nonkeyword domain to better position then you have the strength of your brand working for you.
Lots of people do not think this way... they simply look for the easiest and fastest route to good rankings. They might be better off in the long-run to spend a small amount longer and use the power of their brand and their position in the SERPs.
You want people to know who you are and not ask WTF is that?
-
A very interesting take you have, thank you for that perspective. Do you think that there would be a better chance of outranking yelp for their generic page titled,"Auto Repair+City" using a keyword domain?
-
Most of my sites are keyword domains. They used to be very powerful in the SERPs. Now they still have a slight advantage but not an overwhelming advantage.
For a retail site, in my opinion, a keyword domain such as binoculars.com can have a very high conversion rate because visitors think that you are "the place" to by that category of product. However, if I owned a brick and mortar business I would use the name of my biz and not a keyword domain.
-
Thanks for your response. Not that is should make a difference in your response. The scenario above is fictitious and I should have stated that. The actual situation involves a website that is about to go up with two newly purchased domains. One is the brand name and the other is autorepair+city.com
The title tag and meta description are what people will see in the SERPS.. Don't you think that the url will be insignificant to those that are actually searching for the business name? Isn't a exact match domain like that desirable? Especially when trying to compete with sites like Yelp that may have a low page authority for that a particular term but a really high domain authority.
-
I would place all of my efforts into dixiecutters.com and do nothing with barberhartford.com other than just hold it to keep competitors from using it.
This should not be an extremely competitive niche and if you focus all of your effort on one site you should be able to rank well.
If the name of your shop is dixiecutters and people drive by and see that on your sign, see that on your newspaper ads, talk to their friends about who is their barber.... Then when they search and see dixiecutters in the SERPs then will know who you are....
If they see barberhartford in the SERPs they will wonder who the heck is that?
Diluting your own brand - especially in a small market is not usually a good way to get the word out about your business.
-
If you are going to make barberhartford your domain then yes, by all means 301 the old site, page by page to the new - in other words, do not simply redirect each page to the home page ... once that is done most of the link juice will pass to the barrberhartford domain, but the wise move is to have the old links changed, wherever possible, to the new domain.
The email address is not important SEOwise, and I don't know what NAP means, but I strongly believe it is very important for branding to use your domain name. However, I also feel that it's fine to use a name such as DixieCutters as the 'print' and promotional domain name; whatever people will best remember.
Browse Questions
Explore more categories
-
Moz Tools
Chat with the community about the Moz tools.
-
SEO Tactics
Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers
-
Community
Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!
-
Digital Marketing
Chat about tactics outside of SEO
-
Research & Trends
Dive into research and trends in the search industry.
-
Support
Connect on product support and feature requests.
Related Questions
-
Google instantly suspends Google+ local listing of brand new company
I just tried to create a Google+ listing for a client. It's a brand new company. As soon as I submit the listing, I get an error message: "Google has suspended your page due to quality issues." There is no content on the listing, no website, etc. Just their NAP. All I can guess is their business address or phone number is on a blacklist due to some previous tenant/owner. Does Google keep a blacklist of addresses and/or phone numbers? Any other ideas?
Image & Video Optimization | | AdamThompson0 -
Anyone using synup.com?
I came across. Synup.com while looking for citations. Anyone use the service before? I have used Whitespark and was happy with them, but synup looks pretty good also.
Image & Video Optimization | | netviper0 -
Can I use PO boxes as an actual business Address?
Hi mozzers, A potential future client(electrician) covers 40+ locations in one region(local SEO) but only has 1 address. He wants to rank for at least 5 to 7 main locations which he has PO boxes for. Can I use these as addresses on his website or will it be seen as violating the google guideline? If it is no good what should I do? Thanks
Image & Video Optimization | | Ideas-Money-Art0 -
Schema for a local business with multiple locations
Hello I am trying to add schema to a website that has several locations. Is the best way to do this is by tagging the home page of the website as the business main location and then create a page for each location and then mark them up accordingly? Thank you for your help.
Image & Video Optimization | | edwardfrebow0 -
Trying to Merge Google + Local and Google Business Page _ How to?
Hi I have been reading so many posts about merging Google Plus + (Places) accounts and the new Google + Business Pages. I am working with a business who has a verified account in both. How ( and in fact should we try and merge). The old Places page has a review the newly create Business Page does not but is better optimized. Any help would be gratefully received as my head is spinning/ PS based in New Zealand
Image & Video Optimization | | AllieMc0 -
Optimizing title tags for a different town then the business is located in.
I'm looking for a little help, because I'm stuck. I was taught that when doing geo specific title tags you must include the city the business is located in. For example,Dentist North Springfield, even if there is nobody searching for dentists north boulder because everyone is searching for dentists boulder. As in they are considered one in the same. Can I optimize for Springfield or will I be penalized. Thanks
Image & Video Optimization | | kevinp30 -
Is a listing in this directory really worth $365/year??
Recently i noticed one of our competitors is getting a citation out of a directory called Refer Links. I contacted them to find out their pricing, and to be listed in that directory it is $365/year. I noticed that all the links to the websites are cloaked with php redirects and rel=nofollows' so i doubt it would do much for our page rank, so strictly from a citation standpoint, is this worth it? Here is our competitors listing: http://www.referlinks.com/listing/all-canadian-self-storage-inc--mobile-self-storage.html
Image & Video Optimization | | adriandg1 -
Local SEO... use 800 # or local, use full-street name or abbreviation?
Couple local SEO questions... Do you feel it’s better to submit a listing with the full type of street rather than an abbreviation? Google Places sometimes disassociates data because of small differences like this. Below is an example: Full Name: 123 Broadway Street
Image & Video Optimization | | qlkasdjfw
Abbreviation: 123 Broadway St. Also, I’m wondering if you feel it’s better to submit a local number versus an 800 number. I've modified many local listings for clients manually with an 800 number, but then there are other data sources for these same businesses that are displaying the local number. I am starting to use UBL/LocalEZE and are wondering what people have seen working best... local number or 800 number. Thanks!0