Brandable Domain vs. Keyword Domain: Which Should You Choose?

Brandable Domain vs. Keyword Domain: Which Should You Choose?

When starting a website, choosing a domain name is the first and crucial step. The domain name is not just an access address; it significantly impacts brand recognition, SEO capabilities, and credibility in the eyes of customers. During the selection process, there are two popular approaches: Brandable Domain and Exact Match Domain (EMD) or Partial Match Domain (PMD).

So, should you choose a brandable domain or a keyword domain? The seemingly simple question depends on various factors: long-term strategy, industry, SEO goals, budget, and brand development direction.

The article below will help you thoroughly analyze each type of domain, its strengths and weaknesses, and provide the most practical advice for you to choose correctly.

What is a Brandable Domain?

A Brandable Domain is a type of domain that does not necessarily contain keywords describing the service/product but focuses on building a distinct, easily recognizable image, often associated with the company name or a creative, unique word.

For example:

• Shopee.vn
• Tiki.vn
• Lazada.vn
• Zalo.me
• Haravan.com

These domain names do not specifically describe the service but are easy to remember and develop into independent and sustainable brands.

What is a Keyword Domain?

A Keyword Domain is a type of domain that contains the main keywords describing the industry, service, or product. The primary goal is to increase the ability to appear on search engines and create immediate clarity for users.

For example:

• thietkenhadep.vn (beautifulhousedesign.vn)
• inanquangcao.net (advertisingprinting.net)
• mayinlaser.com (laserprinter.com)
• dichvuseovn.com (seoservicesvn.com)

This type of domain name is often chosen for its SEO benefits, the ability to rank higher quickly if content is implemented correctly.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Each Type of Domain

Brandable Domain
Advantages:

• Easy to create an impression: You can build a unique brand that stands out in the customer's mind.
• High flexibility: Easy to expand industries, not limited by keywords.
• Avoid being formulaic: Not duplicated or too similar to competitors.
• Better protection against copying: Difficult for others to "copy" ideas or violate brand copyrights.

Disadvantages:

• Unclear industry: First-time users will not know what service you provide.
• Difficult SEO from the start: Requires additional investment in marketing and promotion to get keywords to the top and position the brand.
• Requires creativity: It is challenging to come up with a good, unique name that has not been registered.

Keyword Domain
Advantages:

• Clear and easy to understand: Users know immediately what service you provide.
• Supports SEO: Easy to rank for main keywords, especially when combined with quality content.
• Increase CTR from Google: When searchers see keywords that match the domain name, they tend to click more.

Disadvantages:

• Difficult to build a long-term brand: Keyword domains are easily seen as "general" and lack identity.
• Google reduces EMD value: Since 2012, Google has reduced priority signals for keyword domains if the content is weak.
• Difficult to protect the brand: Anyone can register similar names (e.g., dichvuseo.net, dichvuseovn.com,...), causing you to be copied or compete unfairly.

Which Domain is Better for SEO?
In the past, keyword domains were considered an "ace" in SEO. Websites with keyword-matching domains could easily rank without many backlinks or quality content.

However, since Google updated the Exact Match Domain (EMD) algorithm in 2012, the power of keyword domains is no longer the same. Now, content, UX/UI, page load speed, backlinks, and brand signals are the key factors.

However:

• If you have a short-term SEO strategy and want to rank quickly for specific keywords → a keyword domain can help.
• If you invest in long-term SEO, develop quality content, and expand industries → a brandable domain will be more effective.

Choosing a Domain Based on Business Goals

Cases where you should choose a brandable domain:

• Businesses want to build a long-term brand and expand their scale.
• Have a clear marketing strategy and budget to promote the brand.
• Need flexibility in changing products/services.
• Desire difference, easy to remember, easy to PR.

Real-world example:
Zalora was initially a fashion marketplace, then switched to cosmetics and lifestyle. Thanks to the "brandable" domain, they can easily expand without being limited.

Cases where you should choose a keyword domain:

• Short-term SEO goals, focusing on quick conversions.
• Are an affiliate marketer or make satellite sites (PBN, microsite).
• Limited marketing budget, want to take advantage of traffic from organic search.
• Operate in the local service sector, need to be clear about products.

Real-world example:
A small business providing "air conditioner repair services in Tan Phu" can use a domain like suamaylanhtanphu.com (airconditionerrepairtanphu.com) to easily rank for specific keywords.

Combining Brandable & Keyword Domains – Is it Possible?

One of the popular strategies today is to combine both brand and keywords to take advantage of both.

For example:

• haravanweb.com
• seovip.vn
• thienduongcay.com (cay = plants, Paradise Plants)
• adayroi.vn (just the brand name, 'roi' evokes shopping)

You can:

• Use subtle secondary keywords in the brand.
• Or create a separate brand name, but the domain contains extended keywords.
• However, make sure the name is not too long, not confusing, and still easy to remember.

Some Tips for Choosing Smart Domains

• Prioritize .com, .vn – easier to remember and more trusted.
• Short, easy to read, easy to type, no more than 15 characters if possible.
• Avoid hyphens and numbers if unnecessary.
• Check that the name is not copyrighted.
• You should buy more extensions to avoid being occupied (e.g., buy both .com and .vn if possible).
• Check on social media to ensure the name is available (Facebook, TikTok, Instagram,...).

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can a Brandable Domain be good for SEO?

• Absolutely. If you invest in quality content, standard on-page optimization, and build good backlinks, Google will still appreciate it. Many big brands like Tiki, Zalo,... do not contain keywords but have excellent SEO.

Will Keyword Domains still be effective in 2025?

• Yes, but it is no longer the strongest factor. Keyword domains are just a small advantage – content and user experience are the key points.

Should I change the domain name from keyword to brand?

• If you are using a keyword domain and want to develop a long-term brand, you can switch to a brand domain. However, you need to redirect 301 and keep the old site structure to avoid losing traffic.

Should I prioritize a short domain or one that contains enough keywords?

• Ideally, it should be short, easy to remember, branded, and contain keywords if possible. But if you have to choose, memorability is still more important.

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