Domain Names: Are they really a Google Ranking Factor in 2023
Last Updated on 16th May 2023 by Ajmer Singh
The short answer to the question is, yes.
Google does allow for domain names in their search engine results pages, so it must be an important ranking factor.
That said, they haven’t confirmed this.
This means there are no real rules about what will improve your rankings more than another thing.
However, some officially confirmed ranking factors are,
- I always recommend changing your shared host to a cloud host (Cloudways).
- Get a speedy theme (Themify Ultra).
- Connect Cloudflare CDN
- Use caching
2. Domain age
For example, one of my sites did better with an exact match domain name, and the other site did better with a slightly keyword-rich domain.
(My sites – findmytricks.com and findmytricks.in)
So it’s hard to say one is more important than another.
Is domain name a google ranking factor?
Some people think that if you use your brand as your domain name (ex: Blogspot, yahoo, etc.) it will rank well as Google knows those domains (because they all have a huge number of links coming to them).
Google can understand that.
Other people think that you should choose a domain name with the keyword in it because that will help your rankings for those terms.
In addition, having a domain name may be an advantage over not having one.
Without a domain name, all traffic will be referred from other websites (either through links or search engines).
If you have your own domain name, people can type it into their browser and go right to your website.
This is especially important if you want to rank well in search engines, as traffic from search engines is crucial to good rankings.
The main disadvantage of using a domain name is that it can take a long time and be expensive.
You will either need to buy it from someone or transfer it from your current website if you have one.
You can also get a domain name for free with any of the hosting packages from Bluehost.
Note: Bluehost is not my recommended hosting provider.
It’s also not always easy to change domain names, so buying the wrong one might be difficult.
So, should you buy a domain name? That depends on what you are trying to accomplish.
If you want your website to be found, then yes. If you don’t care how much traffic it receives, then no.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Domain Name
Advantages
– Your traffic is going to be from search engines, direct and referrals.
– Easier to rank/drive traffic:
people can type your web address in the browser rather than hunt through a list of websites.
– Branding is much easier:
if you are building a business, it’s much more to use your own name for your brand rather than let someone else create one.
– People can guess your website easier:
if you are building a business, this is an advantage because it makes people more likely to find you.
– Easier to claim social media profiles:
if you want to build your online presence, having your own domain name will make the process much easier.
– Easier for customers/clients to remember:
this is especially important if you want people to visit your website often.
Disadvantages
– Cost money (although you will most likely make up costs on advertising)
– Can take time to change the domain name (in some cases, you may need to transfer your website entirely)
– If you own a blog and opt for an expiring domain name, there is the risk of losing all your readers in the transition.
– You will miss out on some website traffic:
if people use a list of websites to find you (rather than typing your address into the browser), and they don’t make it to your site, you may lose them as customers/clients.
– You need to stick with the domain name forever.
This isn’t necessarily bad, but an advantage of expiring domains is that you can always transfer to another one if things go wrong.
– If you are running an online business, changing your domain name could be very risky depending on the success of your website.
There’s no guarantee a new domain name will bring in more customers/clients.
– It may confuse people:
they may not know if they are going to the correct website if you have a domain name that is different from your company name.
Where to get or buy domain name – Domain registrar!
A domain registrar is a company (or individual) that sells and registers domain names.
When you purchase a domain name, you are essentially renting it from the registrar for a set amount of time.
The most popular registrar is GoDaddy, although it has come under fire in recent years for being too expensive and not providing good customer service.
Other reputable registrars include Bluehost.
When selecting a domain name registrar, make sure to read reviews so you can be sure you are getting the best deal.
Some registrars claim to offer cheap domain names, but all they are doing is burying additional fees in the fine print.
Domain name vs IP address
– Domain names can be any length of words – they don’t have to be short like an IP address (although some TLDs do have restrictions).
– IP addresses are specific to a location:
if your website is hosted in the US, your IP address will be different from someone in the UK.
– Domain names are easier to remember than IP addresses:
this is especially important if you plan on having a lot of pages on your website.
– Domain names can be registered by anyone:
there is no need to be a technology expert.
– IP addresses can only be registered by organizations with the appropriate authority.
– Domain names are easier to brand than IP addresses.
Choosing a Domain Name
When selecting a domain name, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
– The domain name must be easy to spell.
– It should be memorable and make it clear what your website is about.
– It shouldn’t be too long – try to keep it under ten words.
– Avoid using hyphens and numbers if possible (although this isn’t a hard and fast rule).
– If you own a brand, it’s a good idea to use your company name as your domain name.
– The .com extension is always the most popular, but there are other extensions available (such as .net, .co.uk, and .org) that you may want to consider.
– Make sure the domain name is available before purchasing it. You don’t want to shell out cash for something you can’t actually use.
– Avoid buying an expiring domain name – this means the owner is trying to sell it quickly, so it may not be worth much at all.
– If possible, buy your own domain name instead of using a free website address (such as WordPress.com or blogger).
A custom domain name looks more professional and helps with your search engine ranking.
– You don’t need to be registered with a domain name registrar in order to purchase a domain name.
– You can check the availability of a domain name using the whois database.
FAQS about Domain Name Ranking Factors!
Q: Is a domain name a ranking factor for Google?
A: There is no definitive answer, but it is likely that your domain name does play a role in your search engine ranking.
Q: What’s the best way to find an available domain name?
A: You can use the Godaddy domain availability tool to find domain names.
Q: What’s the difference between a domain name and an IP address?
A: A domain name is a human-readable web address, while an IP address is a series of numbers used to identify a computer or device on the internet.
Q: Can I use any extension for my domain name?
A: There are multiple extensions (such as .net, .org, and .me) that you can use for your domain name. The most popular is the .com extension.
Q: Who owns a domain name?
A: You do! Domain names are not tied to any specific organization; they act as an address so users know where to find your website.
Q: What is a domain name registrar?
A: A domain name registrar is a company that registers and manages your domain name.
You don’t need to be registered with one in order to purchase a domain name.
Q: Is it worth purchasing an expiring domain name?
A: It depends on the domain name and how much it’s worth. If the domain name is valuable, then it may be worth purchasing.
However, if it’s a low-quality domain name, then it probably isn’t worth the investment.
Q: Can I use a free website address for my domain name?
A: You can, but it’s not the most professional choice.
It may make your website look less legitimate, and it can be difficult to remember later on.
Q: Does my domain name influence my search engine ranking?
A: Yes, but keep in mind that there are many factors involved in search engine ranking – Google hasn’t revealed exactly how they determine rank.
However, it is likely that your domain name does play a role.
Q: Can I use a domain name for my business even if I don’t have a website yet?
A: Yes! You can forward your domain name to another website (such as your company’s website or social media page) so users can still find you.
Q: What is a sponsored domain?
A: This is a type of domain name that you can purchase from a domain name registrar in order to redirect it to another website or affiliate link.
It’s also known as an ad-sponsored URL.
Q: How do I use my own custom domain name?
A: You’ll need to set up DNS records for your domain name. This may vary depending on your hosting provider.
My recommended hosting provider is Cloudways.
Q: Can I use a trademarked domain name?
A: It depends on the trademark and how it’s being used. You may be able to use it with written permission from the trademark owner.
If you’re not sure, it’s best to consult an attorney.
Q: Can I use a domain name for my email address?
A: Yes! You create an email account for your domain name through your hosting provider like cloudways.
Q: How many characters can my domain name have?
A: The only limit is how many characters it takes to register the domain with your registrar. Most domains are limited to 63 characters.
Q: What is the best way to market my domain name?
A: You can use online marketing methods, such as search engine optimization (SEO) and pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, to help promote your domain name.
Q: How long does it take for a domain name to be activated?
A: It can take between one and five days.
This is different depending on your hosting provider, the extension of your domain name, and how you purchased it (such as through auction or at an available price).
Q: Is there anything I should do with my domain name once I’ve registered it?
A: You should make sure you have your DNS settings configured correctly. If not, you may experience downtime with your website.
Q: How do I know if my domain name was successfully registered?
A: Your hosting provider should send you an email to notify you that the registration went through.
If you don’t receive it within an hour, be sure to check your spam folder.
Q: How long does it take for a domain name to expire?
A: If the domain is registered with a registrar, then it can take up to 10 days for it to become available again after expiration.
If the domain was purchased through an auction, it will expire immediately after the auction ends.
Q: What is the best time to purchase a domain name?
A: It depends on the domain name and how much it’s worth. If the domain is valuable, then it may be worth purchasing.
However, if it’s a low-quality domain name, then it probably isn’t worth the investment.
Q: Can I sell my domain name?
A: You can, but it’s not the most professional choice. It may make your website look less legitimate, and it can be difficult to remember later on.
A: This is a type of domain name that is typically more valuable because it’s harder to find and has a higher chance of being registered by another user.
A: Premium domain names typically have a higher click-through rate (CTR) and conversion rate, making it easier for you to attract more customers.
They’re also easier to remember and have a more professional appearance.
Q: What’s the best way to find a good domain name?
A: You can use online resources, such as Bluehost, to find available domain names.
You can also use an online auction site, such as GoDaddy to find good options.
Q: What’s the difference between a domain name and a web address?
A: A domain name is the unique name of your website, while a web address is a URL that you type into your browser to access.
Q: What is a domain name?
A: A domain name is the unique name of your website. It’s what you type into the address bar of your browser to access it.
Conclusion
Domain names are an important part of your website. They can help you attract more customers and improve your website’s visibility online.
By choosing the right domain name and using online marketing methods, you can make your website more successful.
If you’re still unsure about what to do, contact a professional for help.
They can guide you through the process and help you choose the best domain name for your website.
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