Domain vs Subdomain - Seo wise - which is better?

Discussion in 'Search Engine Optimization' started by gman2319, Oct 3, 2009.

  1. #1
    Hi,
    Here is my question.
    Say, I am targetting the following keywords
    nokia mobile phone
    iphone mobile phone
    sony mobile phone
    etc.
    The best domain names(from an seo point of view) for these would be
    nokiamobilephone.com
    iphonemobilephone.com
    sonymobilephone.com
    etc

    Now, the problem is I need to get so many domain names. Instead is it ok if i get the domain name mobilephone.com and add subdomains under it.
    As in...
    nokia.mobilephone.com
    iphone.mobilephone.com
    sony.mobilephone.com

    Is this as effective...seo wise.

    Because buying domains is proving to be a mega killer expense.

    Thanks in advance. :)
     
    gman2319, Oct 3, 2009 IP
  2. bob25

    bob25 Well-Known Member

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    #2
    I'd do it the other way mobilephone.com/nokia

    This way it creates a "Silo" structured website which some SEO guys recommend. And it creates a larger website. Sub-domains on the other hand are considered another domain, and because they aren't tld's they're harder to get ranked.
     
    bob25, Oct 3, 2009 IP
  3. gman2319

    gman2319 Peon

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    #3
    Hmm. I dont intend to market the main site as such. All I need is each product page to be taken seriously by google.
    But if it means that the sub site gets indexed better because of the age of the main site...i should take this option up seriously.
    The other concern is, If i am to advertise on adwords, I would like the primary product to be a part of the domain name.
     
    gman2319, Oct 3, 2009 IP
  4. ServiceBlaster

    ServiceBlaster Peon

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    #4
    Your main site and all subs are considered their own separate entities.
     
    ServiceBlaster, Oct 3, 2009 IP
  5. bob25

    bob25 Well-Known Member

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    #5
    If those weren't trademarked names your best bet would be to register a domain with the keyword in the url. Since that's out of the question use a subdirectory if you're concerned about SEO and build anchor text keyword backlinks, if not use whatever.
     
    bob25, Oct 3, 2009 IP
  6. gman2319

    gman2319 Peon

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    #6
    Hmm..All right.
    My only concern is google indexing my page.
    If i start a sub domain "nokia.mobilephones.com" and nokiamobilephones.com
    will both get same priority(considering everythign else is equal-content etc)
     
    gman2319, Oct 3, 2009 IP
  7. bob25

    bob25 Well-Known Member

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    #7
    Probably not, the subdomain targets nokia. nokiamobilephones.com will probably rank better, but it still uses the trademark in the URL. I got a letter from ebay once for including the ebay in the URL, since their pockets are deeper than mine I never published anything on it.

    Using a subdirectory or subdomain you can get away with it without the trademark issues, nokia.mobilephones or mobilephones/nokia, but like I said it depends on what you're going for. Me personally I'd use the subdirectory, they're easier to create, have a better SEO effect, and to me as long as the keyword is in the domain the searchengines will bold it and the potential visitor will likely click on it.
     
    bob25, Oct 3, 2009 IP
  8. vikasshukla72

    vikasshukla72 Peon

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    #8
    I got a letter from ebay once for including the ebay in the URL, since their pockets are deeper than mine I never published anything on it.

    - This is interesting. Can ebay object if you include it as part of their url. What about if you are using a url like reviewwebsitesxyz.com/ebay - does ebay object ?
     
    vikasshukla72, Oct 3, 2009 IP
  9. bob25

    bob25 Well-Known Member

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    #9
    If it is part of the TLD they will object. If it's a subdomain or subdirectory they won't do anything. Some merchants will let it go, but some won't.
     
    bob25, Oct 3, 2009 IP