I plan on starting a local area forum, but of the domains I thought would be great are already taken. I have stumbled across another straight forward domain name, but it seems a bit long to me.

Since I haven't registered it yet, I don't really want give it away, but is a three word domain name too long?

For example, if I lived in San Mateo, would http://www.sanmateoforum.com be too long? My city name has the same amount of letters as San Mateo and I plan on including forum in the domain name.

I've tried shortening the domain name, in this case, San Mateo would be SM, but all of the domain names I thought of were taken (but were not related to my hometown).

Cliff notes: I am starting a local forum. I am having trouble choosing a domain. I want to use my 8 letter city's name and forum (ie http://www.sanmateoforum.com), but is it too long?

I don't think its to long.

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Will Stumpf - TalkNikon
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I don't think it's too long myself. I'm considering something similar and would be interested in how this goes.

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Its borderline but I think its fine also especially since the domain would be your main targeted keyword I expect.

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Thanks for all the replies/feedback.

If you do decide to go with the project, drop me a PM! I'd like to discuss launching strategies and content that would be key for making the community/website a success. It wouldn't really hurt either of us considering we are from two completely different countries.

That's exactly (word for word) what I was thinking, but thought I'd get other community owners opinions and comments before purchasing the domain name.

It's not too long, as Moelman said. Since it's your main keyword it's perfect.

well tbh i would normally say yes but seeing as people that will be going on it will know what the town is called so all they have to remember is the forum bit?

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As the domain name will be directly related to the topic of the forum (or, in other words, the most important keyword), then no, I don't feel that the name is too long.

Chris