Can I use numbers or dashes in my domain name? Will the search engines find me if I do? Will anyone else?

Yes, you can use numbers or dashes/hyphens in your domain name.

Search engines could care less about the actual wording of a domain name. Whether it has dashes, numbers, both, or none doesn’t affect how your site is ranked. But, remember, you want a domain name that is easy for your customers, etc. to remember. The domain name you choose is going to be linked to your company, it’s going to be part of everything else you do to brand your company, so it is very important to choose your domain name with that in mind. You wouldn’t pick a logo for your letterhead and business cards that didn’t “go” would you? It’s the same with your domain name. So, choose wisely, tell everyone via letterhead, business cards, offline advertising, have your web designer do their thing and sooner, rather than later, your domain name will be remembered and linked to your company in the minds of your clients.

If you want, you can always register different versions of your domain name and just have them forwarded to your main site.