All sites built on Universe come with a free .univer.se subdomain, but upgrading to add a custom domain is a powerful way to enhance your online presence and improve search engine optimization.
How a Custom Domain Improves SEO
When you upgrade from the default free subdomain (yourname.univer.se) to a custom domain, you gain several SEO advantages:
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Improved Rankings: Search engines tend to favor custom domains over subdomains (like [username].univer.se) because they often indicate more established, credible websites. This can lead to better rankings in search results.
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Keyword Relevance: A custom domain can include relevant keywords, helping search engines understand the site's content and improving the chances of ranking for those terms.
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Professional Appearance: Custom domains look more professional and trustworthy to visitors, which can lead to higher click-through rates from search engine results pages (SERPs).
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Brand Recognition: A custom domain that includes your brand name makes it easier for users to remember and share your site, increasing direct traffic and backlinks—both important SEO factors.
Universe Automatically Sets Your Custom Domain as the Canonical Domain
When you upgrade to a custom domain, Universe automatically designates it as the canonical domain. This has important SEO implications:
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Prevents Duplicate Content Issues: The canonical domain tells search engines which version of your site's URL to index and display in search results. This prevents potential duplicate content issues that can arise when the same content is accessible via multiple URLs (e.g., your custom domain and your free .univer.se subdomain).
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Consolidates SEO Value: By specifying a canonical domain, you ensure that all SEO value (such as link equity, the importance that search engines like Google give links to your site) is directed to your custom domain, enhancing its authority and improving rankings.
How to Choose a Custom Domain for SEO Purposes
Selecting the right custom domain can further enhance your SEO efforts. Here are some tips:
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Include Relevant Keywords: If possible, include keywords related to your business or industry in your domain name. This can improve relevance for search queries and enhance visibility.
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Keep It Short and Simple: A shorter, easy-to-remember domain name is more likely to be shared and typed correctly, which can boost direct traffic and reduce bounce rates.
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Avoid Hyphens and Numbers: Hyphens and numbers can be confusing and are often associated with spammy websites. Stick to letters for a cleaner, more professional appearance.
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Use a Recognizable TLD: Top-Level Domains (TLDs) like .com, .net, or .org are widely recognized and trusted. Universe supports many popular TLDs, which you can view here.