whats better for SEO...a dir or subdomain?

Discussion in 'Google' started by tokipost, Nov 1, 2008.

  1. #1
    What is better:

    bulletinboard.whatever . com?

    or

    www.whatever .com /bulletinboard

    Which one should you choose?

    And if your doing a store, should it be /store or store.wahtevr .com

    or just a totally new web site all together?
     
    tokipost, Nov 1, 2008 IP
  2. Abhik

    Abhik ..:: The ONE ::..

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    #2
    Subdomain, if you are creating a whole new site (like the bulletin board you mentioned).
     
    Abhik, Nov 1, 2008 IP
  3. Nigel Lew

    Nigel Lew Notable Member

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    #3
    I tend to agree with the above poster. A subdomain counts as its own domain or completely different site if you will. If its a store I would definitely use a subdomain. If its a forum you can use either really. Having a forum in /forum could help your home page PR etc. It is really 6 of one half dozen of another. It depends on what your trying to do.

    Typically, its best to use a subdomain in this case.

    hope that helps,
    Nigel
     
    Nigel Lew, Nov 1, 2008 IP
  4. tokipost

    tokipost Active Member

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    #4
    is it bad if we moved it from root to /dir and then now gonna go to a subdomain? with all the links everywhere linking to it etc....or even is it bad with google to keep changing the site up?
     
    tokipost, Nov 1, 2008 IP
  5. Brandon Sheley

    Brandon Sheley Illustrious Member

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    #5
    if your going to be able to build links to the new subdomain, then I'd go that way
    if your not going to have time to build links, use the folder

    I love subdomains, I use them whenever I can to stay organized.
     
    Brandon Sheley, Nov 1, 2008 IP
  6. killoldesai

    killoldesai Well-Known Member

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    #6
    in my opinion sub folder will be more helpful as if your domain is already well promoted, it would not be hard to promote sub directory, whereas sub domain is treated as NEW DOMAIN and you have to work from scratch
     
    killoldesai, Nov 1, 2008 IP
  7. Nigel Lew

    Nigel Lew Notable Member

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    #7
    Dunno, how long was it there? If if was not there very long I would just move it. Conversely, if we are talking about something active I would 301 redirect the /dir to the subdomain so you don't lose anything.... that said, however, a subdomain is a brand new site anyway so you should likely 301 it regardless.

    Nigel
     
    Nigel Lew, Nov 1, 2008 IP
  8. TheVccMatey

    TheVccMatey Peon

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    #8
    Subdomains are better than folders :)
     
    TheVccMatey, Nov 1, 2008 IP
  9. fireworking

    fireworking Peon

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    #9
    Subdomains work the same as domains but the problem with subdomains is that it can be a hassle. For example, you would have to change your directories a lot and you would need a complete css code. Other than that subdomains are about 70-90 percent effective hile subfolders are 50 - 80 percent effective.
     
    fireworking, Nov 1, 2008 IP
  10. Gnoc

    Gnoc Active Member

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    #10
    Subdomain will be the best choice but you have to make everything from the scratch (like CSS and blah blah) but you can use the same pattern in /dir .. I don't think there is any difference as far as SEO is concerned !

    GNOC
     
    Gnoc, Nov 1, 2008 IP
  11. Niche

    Niche Peon

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    #11
    Subdomain because your keyword appears earlier in your URL
     
    Niche, Nov 2, 2008 IP
  12. Deluxe SEO

    Deluxe SEO Peon

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    #12
    Wow, so many generalizations and wrong information....

    The primary answer is that it depends on how much content you have. If the forum will be large enough that it would stand on its own without the parent site, then a subdomain is correct.

    If (for example) you have a small product and you have a support forum that gets 2 posts per day, put it in a directory.

    Many of the same people who say the answer is unequivocally a subdomain will also tell you to sculpt your PR using no follow links?!?!? (both have their place btw)

    You know the real answer? Don't lose to much sleep over it, it's not that big a deal.
     
    Deluxe SEO, Nov 2, 2008 IP
  13. Deluxe SEO

    Deluxe SEO Peon

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    #13
    ooooh this is a game changer... leave it in place.

    (and don't fret over it like I said above, it's not that big a deal):D
     
    Deluxe SEO, Nov 2, 2008 IP
  14. Husam

    Husam Peon

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    #14
    i totally agree
     
    Husam, Nov 2, 2008 IP
  15. coolamazer

    coolamazer Peon

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    #15
    subdomain all the way i tell you
     
    coolamazer, Nov 2, 2008 IP
  16. GoGlobal

    GoGlobal Peon

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    #16
    Sub domains are better than folders
     
    GoGlobal, Nov 3, 2008 IP
  17. genuineseo

    genuineseo Well-Known Member

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    #17
    You can create sub domain, i agree with Niche!
     
    genuineseo, Nov 3, 2008 IP
  18. kidsnscience

    kidsnscience Banned

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    #18
    i suggest second option
     
    kidsnscience, Nov 3, 2008 IP
  19. tokipost

    tokipost Active Member

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    #19
    Ok thanks guys.

    So what about the store:

    store.whatever .com

    OR

    videogamegearstore.whatever .com
    toolsupplies.whatever .com

    ??
     
    tokipost, Nov 4, 2008 IP