Exact Match Domain + shorter permalink vs. longer permalink?

[InRakeLLC]

So here's the scenario...

You own the exact match domain for "Acupuncture Intake Form" and want to create a page that targets the phrase, "Acupuncture Intake Form Template"...

In terms of SEO, which of the following permalinks does a better job targeting the term "Acupuncture Intake Form Template" :

A) www.acupunctureintakeform.com/template/

B) www.acupunctureintakeform.com/acupuncture-intake-form-template/

From a user-friendliness perspective, I can definitely see why the /template/ is more ideal. It's more memorable, easier to link to, and logical.

I'm just wondering whether there is some edge that the /acupuncture-intake-form-template/ has that I'm not aware of, or if there's some gray area.

I can also think of scenarios where the longer version might be better. For example, if there were several different kinds of acupuncture intake form templates. If that were the case, then /template/ might be too vague (e.g. is it the normal "acupuncture intake form template" or is it the "acupuncture intake form template with diagram"). So in that respect, the longer one might be less concise in certain situations, but in others provide more clarity.

(Note: I'm looking for answers to this situation as it applies to any website. I just chose this extremely small niche exact match domain because it's an example that illustrate my questions).

Thanks in advance for any answers, insights, or comments! I'm not sure if there's a specific answer, but I'm sure there are some key points to discuss.

Michael

[RebekahMay]

I personally think it would be best to use /template.  Or in the case of specific templates, shorten the full phrase to /intake-template/ and then take advantage of the Title tag, H1s and other on-page content to target the keywords you are looking for.  With the second scenario you are relying too much on the URL for your keywords and this may send a spammy signal - especially if combined with other optimization efforts.

[igor.pinchevskiy]

Hello Michael,

In my opinion since you already have an exact match domain and making your URL to the template as www.acupunctureintakeform.com/acupuncture-intake-form-template/

is kind of redundant, long, doesn't look that good, and might look like you're trying to manipulate rankings by doing keyword stuffing.

I would recommend something like:

www.acupunctureintakeform.com/template-forms

www.acupunctureintakeform.com/templates

etc..

I think its better to concentrate on the ON PAGE SEO, its far more important to have good content that will lure in visitors and make them link and share you content VS getting a headache from worrying about the URL address. Obviously I'm not talking about completely ignoring it and putting your template under something like /contact us/ section. Just make it easy and straight to the point, I think that is the best way to do it. In my case I tend to over think things which is not a good thing, so lately I go with the first idea that comes to me that looks and sounds simple!

[AndreVanKets]

www.acupunctureintakeform.com/template/ is a much better idea.

There will be no benefit in terms of SEO for you to repeat the keyword in the URL

As for the future pages, you could always do the following

www.acupunctureintakeform.com/template/

www.acupunctureintakeform.com/template-with-diagrame/

www.acupunctureintakeform.com/template-with-pictures/

etc

Hope that helps.

Greg

[InRakeLLC]

Rebekah, Igor, and Greg - thanks for the helpful (and quick!) responses, I appreciate it.