| 1. Does having more than one domain name help my | | | | get a threatening letter from NAR demanding that |
| search rankings? No. There's no need to register a | | | | you stop. Realtor is a registered trademark of the |
| zillion names for your website as it will not help your | | | | National Association of Realtors. If you really want to |
| search rankings one iota. | | | | use it, you have to get permission from NAR, or a |
| 2. I have a URL I've had for years, should I ditch it | | | | really good attorney. |
| for a domain name filled with keywords? No. The | | | | 10. Should I register the .net version if someone else |
| older websites get higher rankings on Google. Having | | | | has the .com version already? Generally it is not a |
| keywords in your URL is helpful for SEO, but the | | | | good idea to register the .net version if the .com is |
| SEO benefits are higher for older sites. | | | | already taken. In some cases the benefit of the |
| 3. I want to optimize for several different keyword | | | | domain name outweighs the issues so registering the |
| phrases, should I buy one domain name for each of | | | | .net may be a good idea. If you have a domain name |
| my keywords? No. Getting several URLs, even those | | | | idea, it's wise to register both the .net and the .com |
| with keywords will not help your case. In fact, this | | | | versions. |
| practice can trigger Google's spam filters and cause | | | | 11. Where should I register my domain name? |
| your site to be penalized. | | | | GoDaddy is the best place we've found to register |
| 4. Should I hyphenate my new website since I'm | | | | domain names. Just be careful to bypass all the other |
| using keywords? It used to be good SEO to | | | | junk they offer. All you need is the domain name for |
| hyphenate your site so the search engines could read | | | | a number of years. |
| the words separately, such as: real-estate-usa.com, | | | | 12. Is it okay for my webmaster to register my |
| however, this practice is no longer necessary. If you | | | | domain name? No. You want to register your own |
| do choose to hyphenate your site's URL, do not use | | | | site with your own information so you will maintain |
| more than three words or it may trigger Google's | | | | control. You need Administrative control over your |
| spam filters and cause penalties and/or delayed | | | | domain name, but you can give your webmaster |
| rankings. | | | | technical access to your domain related matters. |
| 5. How long should I register my domain? Register it | | | | 13. How can I find keywords for deciding what |
| for as long as you can afford. Google actually gives | | | | keywords to use in my website name? You can use |
| "points" to those sites that have long-term | | | | any of the keyword tools available online such as the |
| registrations because it signals that you are | | | | Google Keyword Tool. |
| here-to-stay and not a fly-by-night spammer. | | | | 12. Is it a good idea to register a long domain name |
| 6. What if I want to use a different domain name in | | | | with several keywords repeated in it? No. Your |
| my public advertising than the one where my | | | | domain name should be reasonably short and should |
| website resides now? If you do not like your website | | | | not use repeat words. Long domain names can |
| name and decide to use a different one for your | | | | trigger Google spam filters and cause your site to be |
| business cards and brochure then you can simply | | | | penalized. |
| have the preferred domain forwarded to your | | | | 13. I have a free website from Keller Williams, is my |
| existing website moniker. | | | | site good for SEO? No. The free websites given by |
| 7. I am getting a website URL, will I be in a sandbox? | | | | many real estate brokerages are not good for |
| Yes. Newer sites and brand new domain names | | | | achieving high search engine rankings because many |
| usually have to suffer through a "hold-back" period | | | | of them are built on the sub-domain of the |
| by Google. This is the time that Google uses to keep | | | | brokerage website. These sites are not very |
| those who aren't serious out of the mix of top | | | | successful in search results. |
| rankings. The sandbox is worse in highly competitive | | | | 14. I forgot where I registered my domain name. |
| areas and easier for less-competitive keyword | | | | How can I access it? You can find out information |
| phrases. | | | | about any domain name on the web using one of the |
| 8. I have a name I don't really like, should I move the | | | | may Who Is Tools available, such as this one from |
| site to a location? Absolutely not! Never move your | | | | Network Solutions. |
| website from one domain to the other. This is | | | | 15. Where can I buy an older domain name? You can |
| horrible for your rankings and credibility with Google. | | | | buy an older domain name using Network Solutions' |
| 9. Can I use the term "Realtor" for my website? No. | | | | Certified Offer program, or by going to auctions such |
| If you register the term "Realtor," you will eventually | | | | as the GoDaddy Domain Auction. |