How difficult is it to rank an exact match domain nowadays in 2017?

[will_l]

Hey there Mozzers!

It's been a while since I've been back around these parts after working at a search agency many moons ago. I remember way back how it was stupidly easy to rank for something like "date ideas toronto" when I had an exact match domain www.cheapdateideas.ca and dateideas.ca (which I still own).

Anyhow, I've been looking to build up my domain www.dateideas.net with hyper local date ideas and essentially looking to build this for the long term and expand after I hit a certain critical mass in terms of high quality content mostly written by myself to start. Eventually, if it makes sense, hiring authors or getting guest contributors to contribute to the blog if there's enough incentive to do so (which I'll figure out at some point).

Question for y'all for a newbie that was semi-pro and now all my knowledge from before isn't so cutting edge. How would you guys approach it.

I am looking to build this for the long haul, so it may very well be that some of your answers are "write amazing content", I'll be okay with that answer.

Cheers,

Will

[donsilvernail]

Will,

Write amazing content!!!

So start with what your competitors are doing (market research) see what type of content ranks locally. Then produce a content campaign that exceeds usability, engagement and information that your competitors are producing.

I don't think it is as necessary to do exact match domains these days. If you want to dominate the local space you have to do the technical local objectives, such as listing and google my business verification, Facebook page and Moz Local.

Thanks,

Don