Hello

I'm currently holding a domain with a well known word containing a hyphen. The word is also spelled with hyphen in my language. All good you would think. However it brings up a dilemma for me.

I now have the opportunity to buy the domain without hyphen, so nobody else can use a similar looking domain ...

But now I'm not sure about what domain to use for main domain. What is the usual practice in such a case? It is of course true that a domain with hyphen can be difficult to remember / appears complex. On the other side, it is spelled correctly and the other one is not.

So I'm not sure what to choose for main domain, are there any experts who can shine a light on this subject?

Thanks:)

If you own both, it doesn't matter so much. Redirect any web requests to the one you choose not to use over to the one you elect to use.

Personally I prefer domain names without a hyphen, but things like auto-completing address bars in browsers have made entering a domain name somewhat less of a hassle.

If cost is the issue, I suppose you'll have to weigh the risk of what might happen with the other domain.

One great example: python.org is the well known domain for the Python programming language. Change .org to .com and, well, you end up at an Adult site.

Mind you... the .com was registered first! I've no idea if the .com holder was aware of Python the language (born in 1991) or not.

Ive had some experience with names with 2 words working better with SEO with a hyphen between it. Maybe its because google then actually sees it as 2 words. Not sure!

I wouldn't bother with hyphens for seo reasons. No edge there.

I wouldn't bother with hyphens in terms of accesibility and usability. Just one more mistake to make.

The only really good reason to use hyphens is if there is no other option in regards to getting a good domain name.

I recommend using the domain without the hyphen as the main domain.

And then you should set up a redirect for the hypenated domain, so that it points to the non-hyphen domain.

(And like the previous poster recommended.. you should also consider trying to get the .org and .net and other popular extensions...)

But then again if you are targeting people in your country with your language, and that is the correct spelling, you're certainly better off using it with a hyphen.
The correct way is always the best way. (Although I've never heard of a word with a hyphen in it)

Most users associate a domain name without a hyphen as being more authoritative than a domain name with hyphens. However, since you own both it is really up to you - just make sure that you 301 the domain name(s) that you don't use to the one that you decide on.

I would prefer the domain name without the hyphen. If you get the other domain ie without hyphen available you can register it and redirect it to the main domain. It will help you from SEO point of view as well.

Domain name without a hyphen is always good. SEOs like them.

The hyphen is good for SEO, most search engines will parse each name, and domain name is a pretty heavy weight in ranking. So if your hyphenated domain also works as key words for your site, it's a good thing.

the one with hyphen can be good in appearing for that term in search engines. However I always sees a domain as a cheap one. Maybe my view point. I would say you go for the non hyphenated version of the domain and if seo is the only concern then go for the one with hyphen

Thanks guys, got some great feedback here.

Now that I own both I can freely say what the word is. The domain is dutch (.NL) and it's off-topic.nl / offtopic.nl

I'll probably use the one without hyphen and a redirect on the other.

Yeah go with offtopic.nl in this case.

I don't think search engines care about hyphens in domain names. For SEO it has littele or absolutely no impact. For the internet user, its not easy to remember if he needs to type the url.
Personally i think, Hyphens are blessings. You have to use them when necessary..

Superbowl.com could be Superb-Owl.com (a restaurant, The Superb Owl)

So use what you need to keep the name clear.

I don't think search engines care about hyphens in domain names. For SEO it has littele or absolutely no impact. For the internet user, its not easy to remember if he needs to type the url.
Personally i think, Hyphens are blessings. You have to use them when necessary..

Superbowl.com could be Superb-Owl.com (a restaurant, The Superb Owl)

So use what you need to keep the name clear.

Experts-exchange.com is hyphened so people don't read it as ExpertSexChange.

Without hyphen domain names are good, if you can buy one buy it. Keep with the same name you are going now as main name, just forward this new domain name as well.

Buy both, and do a 301 redirect to the non-hyphenated domain.

I always prefer domains without hyphens, simply because it is easier to tell somebody the domain name that way. When people hear a name, they do not tend to remember the hyphen, even if you specifically tell them the hyphen. When people see it in print, they have a better chance of remembering the hyphen.

If you own both domains, you have your bases covered.

Domain name with hyphen will break the domain name in two words which might not be consider by google search engine. So domain without hyphen would have better effect for SEO purpose.

According to Matt Cutts whether a domain name has a hyphen or not makes no difference as far as SEO concerning Google.

From Matt Cutts Blog: (http://www.mattcutts.com/blog/dashes-vs-underscores/)
To answer a common question, Google doesn’t algorithmically penalize for dashes in the url. Of course I can only speak for Google, not other search engines.

i like it if it has a hyphen when its like tech-nerd only if its like two words but if its more than no hypens

Google no longer cares if the domain is hyphenated or not... it will recognize both keywords either way.

I think in this case I would personally go for offtopic without the hyphen. And then as others mentioned, just do a redirect for the other domain.

I don't think it matters.

If you are able to grab both hyphen & non hyphen, then get both and do a redirect.

If the hyphen option is the only available option, then take it. There are many popular sites that uses hyphens; such as www.db-markets.com.

I'm currently setting up another domain for a future web service from my company and we are planning on getting a hyphenated domain name. Not that the non hyphenated name is taken, it's juts the hyphenated name works for what we are looking to accomplish.