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Naming Your Site
The name of your site is arguably
the most important thing you do in laying a foundation for appeal,
search engine optimization, and instant conveyance of a targeted
message.
Naming filters down through more
than just your site name also. The same principles apply for naming
pages, links, and categories. Naming occurs on these levels:
- Domain Name - Choose your domain
name first for people, second for search engines. People default
to NO dashes. Search engines pick it up either way (other people
will tell you different, but actual stats show otherwise). A keyword
domain name can reputedly help with search engine rank, but good
content will compensate if you choose to use a name that is based
on branding instead. Your domain name is VERY much determined now
by what is available! Your first choice, second choice, and even
tenth choice may be taken - not even used, just taken.
- Site Name - Site name has no rules
other than "memorable keywords". You'll notice that this
site has two titles. But behind the scenes it has just one. This
is because the domain was converted from a different purpose to
this one, so it was given a name, and a description.
- Title Tag in the HTML Code - This
is the title that shows up in the browser titlebar. It is put in
behind the scenes. It should be descriptive and should focus on
one or two keywords. Branding is not an issue for a small website
for this title, go for maximum search engine punch.
- Category Names - These should strike
a balance between keywords and impact or site message. On a whimsical
site, keywords might be less important than feel. For technical
sites, keywords work best all around.
- Individual Topic Names - Same rule
as your category names. Go for recognizability.
- Link Names - Your link names in the
navigation will be the same as the Category and Topic names. When
you use context links though, you'll name them for keyword impact.
- Page Filenames - These are chosen
for memorability by you, and for search engine impact. Keep them
to one or two words though, and don't make them long with lots of
dashes - it smacks of spamming!
Choose your names carefully, for
impact where you need it most. Those names do matter, both in making
your navigation and site purpose intuitive and understandable, and
for getting natural traffic from search engines.
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