<a href="http://www.resourcetechniques.co.uk/seo-for-estate-agents.aspx">SEO for Estate Agents:</a> Exact Match Keyword Domain Vs Brand Domain?

This question has been popping up over the years with SEO experts debating whether it is best to choose an exact match domain or a brand domain.

The topic has been being brought up for years due to the fact that SEO and Google’s algorithms are changing constantly meaning what was correct last year may not be this year and because of this I thought it would be a good time to revisit the topic.

The Question: Exact match or Brand domain?

Take Resource Techniques for example, one of our chosen keywords is Websites for estate agents. Imagine we are starting a new website, should we go with a domain name that matches our keyword phrase, e.g. websitedesignforestateagents.co.uk or should we go for our company name resourcetechniques.co.uk.

Of course the answer depends on the strategy.

Despite several warnings that Google would in fact look into and try and adjust the favoured exact match domain, although it is still clear that they do perform very well within search engines.

In my opinion you should always go for what people recognise your business as, which in most cases is your brand name. It is more important that people are able to find you through your brand name than any keyword.

This is what the user will remember you by and if people see your Estate Agency boards around your area, they will search for you by your brand name.

But for some strategies it is best to use exact match domain names. For example if you are promoting through a micro site or providing a new service via a separate website like appsforestateagents.co.uk it can be better to use exact match domains.

These two websites belong to Resource Techniques but in order to rank within search engines for phrases like “Apps for Estate Agents” using exact match domains can be useful.

Conclusion:

It all depends on your plans, is it a short/long term website? What domain names are available? What can you work your brand around?

Exact match keywords often appear within Google rankings, signalling that Google does in fact like them but branded, trusted and reliable domains still prove to be the clear winner over exact match domains.

By Luke Stanley
SEO Consultant