Software Development:
Individual Programming

Solution

Approximately half of all German (.de)-domains consist of more than a single word that are separated by dashes. In the United States however, only 5% of the .com domain names are registered with dashes. There users are used to spell a domain names that are made up of two or more words without a dash. Usage habits are different in different countries.

If you register a domain name that consists of several words, you should register the spelling with and without dash. If you fail to do that, another website owner can register the name that you did not take and will steal visitors from you, because there are always users who spell a name they have heard with dashes, as there are users who omit dashes. To avoid such confusions with competitors it is best practice to register both domain name variants.

If your domain name consists of three or more words, you should register all permutations of dash and non-dash domains. There will always be users who add a variant to the spelling, even if they had previously read your domain name, and then wonder why they cannot reach your website. Example: For a domain biglunchbufffet.com you should also register: big-lunch-buffet.com, biglunch-buffet.com and big-lunchbuffet.com.

The unpopular spelling can be redirected to the main domain, so that a user will always reach the correct page.

Overview of frequently asked questions