Web Domain Name Registration Length – Does It Help Page Ranking?

There is certainly a lot more competition on the web today than there has ever been before, so anything you can do to boost your page rank is critical. Though does the length of your web domain registration play a part?

Whether or not web domain name registration length plays a role in page rank has long been debated by SEO professionals. Though Google has never come out and said it in black and white, there are over 500 million variables considered in the algorithm that determines page rank, so you can probably safely bet your money on it being there.

Why should it matter? In order to remain competitive Google must continuously strive to improve its search results, and of course protect consumers. Those who select the minimum length for their web domain name registration are seen as not being committed to that domain name and perhaps involved in fraudulent activity. In contrast those businesses that register their web domains for longer periods are obviously making a commitment to that domain and their business and plan to be around for the long term. So while Internet domain registration length may not be the biggest factor affecting your page ranking you can see why it matters.

How long is long enough? Most web domain registration firms offer annual registration in addition to five and ten year registration options. However Network Solutions has been famous for its 100 year registration. This probably is total overkill and not the best use of your marketing budget and is unlikely to produce the maximum amount of advertising effectiveness and ROI in the short term.

Obviously if you are running 50 or 100 web domain names it isn’t cheap to register them all for ten years. However if you are only working with a handful that it is definitely worth reserving them for at least five to ten years. Plus then you won’t have to worry about missing your renewal dates and losing your web domainto someone else.