Hyphen or no hyphen in domain name?

**The Smoking Gun** · 11-26-2008, 09:04 PM

I am considering starting a new off topic general discussion forum community, but the ideal two word domain has been taken but the two word hyphenated domain is available.

My question is, does a hyphen in a domain name, reduce or impede indexing, or keyword relevance of the domain name?
Of which the words (that make up the domain name) are also viable keywords, and used in the description, and within the page's content, but of course the hyphen will need to be omitted when used in meta tags.

How do all you experienced Admin's consider this as being not ok, ok, or makes no difference, in your experiences running and creating forums, and more so doing the SEO for them, according to what you know works as far as googlebot, and other search engine crawlers are concerned.

Thanks for all input, it is highly appreciated.
Should i get this off the ground you are likely to see much more of me here

**Shawn Gossman** · 11-26-2008, 10:53 PM

Hyphens could cause an issue, people are more used to no hyphens from what I have seen. I think they cause problems myself. Any hyphens or numbers I stay away from. I also only like .com TLDs

**The Smoking Gun** · 11-26-2008, 11:52 PM

I totally agree with the .com or even .net TLD's when it comes to forum communities, but other than that strictly .com TLD's.

But I was wondering more about search engine impedance rather than people's response to them or remembering typing them with the hyphen.

Thanks for your view....

Anyone else have something to offer?

**Moelman** · 11-26-2008, 11:58 PM

I don't think hyphens help or hurt in SEO, usually they are smart enough to see multiple words in a domain.

**The Smoking Gun** · 11-27-2008, 07:06 PM

Thanks for the confidence Moelman, i was seriously considering vB, but the prices are holding me back(not that I don't think it worth it, just can't really spare the funds) and was considering this Free Open Source forum software - Yet another Bulletin Board - YaBB!
Anyone here ever tried?
Drawbacks? Advantages?
Aside from being free?
Maybe start another thread with this question?

To me it strikes me as myBB on vB steroids as far as looks, feel and functionality, so more than myBB but I do not think quite up to par with vB, however there are loads of templates and mods already in existence that will feature pack it!
What do you think?

Thanks for the help so far!

**Shawn Gossman** · 11-28-2008, 08:13 PM

It looks like a good software. If you try it, give me a review. Right now I run mainly MyBB. I like MyBB the most but wish there were more modifications for it.

I also use vBulletin 3.7.3 for a weather forum of mine, its okay but im not to big on the price... I use IP.Board for a Masonic Fraternity community I run and enjoy it a bit better than vBulletin but everyone has their own pick about a software.

**rockinaway** · 11-29-2008, 09:42 PM

In terms of the effect on users, I haven't had a good response with hyphens. I think people just tend to type a full URL and aren't very use to the hyphens. I would suggest you try getting a single word or series of words without a hyphen.

**Shawn Gossman** · 12-01-2008, 08:01 PM

One hyphen probally wont be that bad but those domains with two or more look horrible in my opinion. examples this-domain-looks-so-bad.com

**rockinaway** · 12-03-2008, 07:46 PM

I say avoid one, but two or three! You shouldn't even be thinking about them. Steer clear of them full stop.