Should My Blog Name Match My Domain Name?
During the past few months a lot of my time has been spent looking at search results and finding ways to clean up the way my sites/pages look in the SERPs. The reason for this is mainly because in one case I had two different sites ranking #1 and #2 for the same search terms, yet the #2 result was getting a much higher click through rate.
The reason for this, I believe, is that the title for the site that ranked #1 was completely unrelated to the domain name. In result #2, the title matched the domain name exactly. I believe users were looking at my results, and choosing the one that appeared to be the most relevant for their search terms.
To create a good example for this, I Googled Breakfast Waffles. The very first result that came up was from MrBreakfast.com. The title reads Waffles – MrBreakfast.com. The description reads “Select recipes for Waffles in the world’s largest recipe database devoted solely to breakfast — find a recipe or add one.”
If I were searching for information on Breakfast Waffles, the first result would most likely seal the deal as far as my choice. The title matched my search, the description was quite relevant, and the domain makes it clear that the site is about breakfast.
Another great example is Blogging Tips. A Google search for Blogging Tips brings up our favorite blog for finding good tips about blogging (the one you’re reading!). The result is #1, the title contains the keywords Blogging Tips, the description is relevant, and the domain matches perfectly.
The chances are extremely high that anyone searching for Blogging Tips will find exactly what they want by clicking that result.
So, in my opinion, it is VERY helpful to have your site title/site name match your domain name. Sure, it may not be a deal breaker, but it certainly puts your search result at an advantage in the SERPs.
What say you?
Alex Cristache | May 29th, 2008 at 1:24 pm #
Good post, Eric. This question keeps haunting many startup bloggers. Anyway, this answer might be quite simple, with two options:
1. If you’re looking for long term search engine commitment and quality branding, have your domain match your blog’s name.
2. If you’re looking for a quick growth in rankings, go for a SEO friendly domain name. However, in the long run this will make your blog a bit exclusive in a search engine’s book, from my point of view.
There could be a 3rd possibility, one that this blog has taken. The name (Blogging Tips) matches the domain name, which ads a lot of power to it in a niche. By doing so, this blog is branded with a powerful keyword and a name adopted from this keyword. It’s the same case as with Daily Blog Tips and many other blogs.
Shawn | May 29th, 2008 at 4:57 pm #
It’s good to brand yourself online with your own name because you gain credibility faster. Also, people respect and trust you more too…:-)
http://www.ShawnDrewry.com
welly | May 30th, 2008 at 12:30 am #
hi there, it’s 1st time for me to jump in your blog. your blog is one that my friend recomended for me because your blog is include in dofollow blog. I think your blog is full of information that useful and it can be share with me because i’m is begginer. It’s a benefid to me to know you more and make you as my friend on the bloggers word. Greetings….!
aoc gold | May 30th, 2008 at 1:39 am #
it has a strong impact in terms of click through, but how about for your SERP ranking? in your example, the one with the unrelated blog name outranked the one that has a related title, is this purely coincidental?
ajay @ readerszone | May 30th, 2008 at 5:30 am #
you have a very good post to comment ratio.
approx 7 comments for each blog post
spidro | May 30th, 2008 at 6:14 am #
nice post , i agree with you people will always trust you, but i don’t see it necessary in case if you already have domain doesn’t match your blog name and good ranking
Rob O. | May 30th, 2008 at 1:41 pm #
To me, it does make sense for the blog name to match the domain name. It’s more memorable, cleaner, and generally, ensures that the blog name will be concise…
Fuller Figure Fashion | May 30th, 2008 at 10:14 pm #
I think it’s important that the domain matches the blog name that maches the content. Blogs that have a domain name or blog name that doesn’t match the content makes me think that they tried blogging on one topic and have now changed their minds and are blogging on a different topic and they lose credibility in my eyes.
diy help | May 31st, 2008 at 7:15 am #
Yes, I do agree tht the blog name should match with the domain name cos it’ll be easier to find ur site and I’m a user too so I tink the best way is to match your blog name with you domain name
Behrad | June 1st, 2008 at 9:22 am #
I agree with Rob O. Your blog name should match your domain name. When searching on Google I always look at the domain name beside the title. So if I think it’s relevant (and it matches with the blog title & domain name) I click to see the results, if not I skip that result!
Abdul | June 1st, 2008 at 10:29 am #
Nice post Eric, recently i also wrote a post on choosing a domain name which can be viewed by clicking here. Keep up the good work, and i hope that you’ll leave a comment at my blog!