.me.uk or .com domain with hyphen?

[TrevorJones]

Hi Mozzers

Just after some opinions really. Basically a client wants a restaurant website developing and had already chosen a name for it as (example) "englishroserestaurant.co.uk". They wanted to register it themselves but unfortunately before they had time to someone else did.

Now they have come back to me and said about using the name (example) "englishrose.me.uk".

I know these .me.uk names are supposedly for personal websites and not businesses but I assume that, by itself, shouldn't be an issue as there are many commercial sites that do use them.

However as all the combinations have been taken I have suggested that they use a "domain-domain.com as an alternative so just wanted to know which option you guys would go for out of:

1. englishrose.me.uk

2. english-rose.com

Although I avoid hyphens whenever I can in this instance 100% I would go for number 2 as it's only one hyphen and it's a business and looks more professional......having said that I would welcome any comments or opinions.

Thanks in advance.

[Vizergy]

I have never had any issues with hyphens.  Aesthetically I prefer not to use them, but sometimes you just have to.  I agree with you.

[TrevorJones]

Hi Billy

You must have been waiting for the next Q & A question......congrats on the extra points and thanks for your thoughts

Trevor

[SEODinosaur]

One hyphen is no biggy. As long as the users like it, it should be fine. However if you are opting for a specific phrase "restaurant in england" I would go for a domain like restaurantinengland.com with no hyphens. Many people have said that exact domain does not matter... I highly disagree, I have seen and still see many exact domain websites ranking for their domain, simply because when linking to your brand name and your anchored terms it looks natural.

Your inbound linking profile will look like and can be built up of: restaurantinengland.com ; resturant in england both of these terms target you key phrase and your brand name.

[TrevorJones]

Hi Donnie

Thanks, I totally agree with your comments on EMD's. In this instance I think the hyphen is perfectly acceptable.

Thanks again.

[Vizergy]

Honestly I was just surfing through when I saw your question  Lucky me though

[RobertFisher]

For me I would use the .com vs .me.uk.

As to the hyphen, if 100 people respond, it will be roughly 50/50. I use both and never have seen a problem. If I were doing a domain like englishroserestaurant, I would use hyphens. Yes, I would. Its just easier to read and remember, IMO.

As to EMD's unless someone is searching for this exact restaurant, its not an EMD (at least one that anyone is looking for).

Best