Long Exact Match Domain, or short "Brand" domain?

[marcuslind]

I've searched and found a lot of discussion regarding the benefits of using Exact Match Domains, however I'm still unsure of what is a "too long" domain to make it not user friendly.

I'm working on a new web application that help users design their own <product>. </product>

Let's say that the product would be canvas paintings as an example. Would you choose the domain www.designcanvaspaintings.com if it was available? Or would you rather create a "brand" like paintify.com that is shorter and has a more "brand" feeling to it.

[cbielich]

http://searchengineland.com/library/google/emd-update

Exact-Match Domain (EMD) Update — September 27, 2012 - http://www.seomoz.org/google-algorithm-change#2012

Exact Match Domains = not good (but not always)

[marcuslind]

So if I understand it correctly, it seems like they decreased the value of the EMD in the September update. This does not mean that the value of EMD's are low or "= not good" as you put it.

So yes, Google has decreased the value of EMD's. But is it still a big benefit to use a domain name that has a Exact Match to what your business is about? And does this benefit outweight the added user experience of having a shorter domain?

[cbielich]

You said

"I've searched and found a lot of discussion regarding the benefits of using Exact Match Domains"

I did mention "but not always". You have to be careful

You mentioned "www.designcanvaspaintings.com"

Design Canvas Paintings - Does that sound like a brand name or spammy? hard to judge, we are not Google

Maybe "Designer Canvas Paintings"?

[matbennett]

I'd go brand name every time.

EMDs still give you some advantage out of the blocks, but if you are trying to build a business then brandable is better. You want referrals, repeat business, inherit trust and to stick in people's mind. It's hard to do that with a mushy EMD that sounds a lot like everyone else's.

If you need convincing here is a book that you should read  : Zag by Marty Neumeier.  It's cheap, short and very good   He talks about the importance of developing a brand that stands out.  Well worth the few hours it takes to read.

[Webrevolve]

Google can preach all they like about lessening the weight of EMDs but fact is they still have massive prominence. As long as it's not too long, I'd go for the EMD.