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Forum homepage or subdirectory?

Discussion in 'Forum Management' started by Dragoon, Jan 19, 2009.

?

Forum Location

  1. Homepage (domain name base)

    6 vote(s)
    31.6%

  2. Sub Directory (ex. [url]www.google.com/forums[/url])

    10 vote(s)
    52.6%

  3. Neither (see my post)

    2 vote(s)
    10.5%

  4. I just want to vote!

    1 vote(s)
    5.3%
0
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  1. #1
    Hello,

    I would like to gather some information relating to a better forum location on the server.

    Is it better to have the forums on the base of the domain (first page is the forums)?

    or

    Is it better to have the forums on a sub directory of the domain (ex. www.google.com/forums).

    State your opinions. They are your opinions in terms of SEO, traffic, content, etc.

    Thank you
     
    Dragoon, Jan 19, 2009 IP
  2. ~kev~

    ~kev~ Well-Known Member

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    #2
    Putting the forum in a subfolder now, gives you more options for later.

    I installed my forum to the HTML root. There have been several times that I regretted it.
     
    ~kev~, Jan 20, 2009 IP
  3. justinlorder

    justinlorder Peon

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    #3
    It is better to use Sub Directory (ex. www.google.com/forums) .
    But note it, you can set homepage redirect to your forum homepage .
    So the visitors will review your forum homepage at first .
    It is fleaxible setting , you can have site as homepage any time if you wish .
     
    justinlorder, Jan 20, 2009 IP
  4. munnakv

    munnakv Active Member

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    #4
    Directory or sub-domain does not make a big difference in my opinion.
    However, do not name your sub-domain or directory as "forum(s)".
    Instead, use a keyword and it might help better ranking in SERP.
     
    munnakv, Jan 20, 2009 IP
  5. t-rent

    t-rent Peon

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    #5
    I have a main page and then the forums are in a subfolder /forum.
     
    t-rent, Jan 31, 2009 IP
  6. Dragoon

    Dragoon Member

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    #6
    Actually, you can solve your problem easily.

    Rename your index.php to index1.php and set youwebsite.com/forums/index1.php as your forum home (in vb settings).

    Then put your website content where ever you like.
     
    Dragoon, Jan 31, 2009 IP
  7. ForgottenCreature

    ForgottenCreature Notable Member

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    #7
    It all depends on what you want to do. If you want to just have a forum, then put in the public_html but if you have plans of creating a website with it, then I'd recommend a subdirectory for the forums.
     
    ForgottenCreature, Jan 31, 2009 IP
  8. NickR25

    NickR25 Peon

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    #8
    I put mine in a sub-directory in case I plan to expand... which I am about to start doing.
     
    NickR25, Feb 1, 2009 IP
  9. Dragoon

    Dragoon Member

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    #9
    I have decided to put mine under a sub directory. Is it ideal to name it /forums??
     
    Dragoon, Feb 1, 2009 IP
  10. giorgioarmani

    giorgioarmani Well-Known Member

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    #10
    It all boils down to what your plans are like you can see in the above two scenarios...
     
    giorgioarmani, Feb 1, 2009 IP
  11. NickR25

    NickR25 Peon

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    #11
    I named it 'forums', but you can name it 'forum', 'discussion', 'talk', 'community', etc.

    I think that by naming it 'forums', it can benefit you when somebody searches for "[your site niche] forums" because the word 'forums' is in the URL, making it highly relevant.
    E.g., if I am searching for "turtle care forums", I believe "www.turtlecare.com/forums" would appear before "www.turtlecare.com".

    Either way, it doesn't make that much of a difference; name it what you prefer. :)
     
    NickR25, Feb 1, 2009 IP
  12. Karen May Jones

    Karen May Jones Prominent Member

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    #12
    I did my first one like forum.domain.com .. I wish I would have just left it easy with domain.com/forum :)
     
    Karen May Jones, Feb 1, 2009 IP
  13. davidmethew

    davidmethew Active Member

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    #13
    mine is on main page and I will stick for this as the nature of name is Discussion Hub
    www.discusshub.com
     
    davidmethew, Feb 12, 2009 IP
  14. Dragoon

    Dragoon Member

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    #14
    Yeah, i went with the main page too. Anyone using the VB portal CMS?
     
    Dragoon, Feb 15, 2009 IP
  15. Guthix121

    Guthix121 Well-Known Member

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    #15
    It all depends really. If you ever plan on adding a home page or portal, even if you aren't sure yet, its probably better to go with putting it in a subdirectory. Because later if you decide to change the location, Google will not be happy.
     
    Guthix121, Feb 15, 2009 IP
  16. Dragoon

    Dragoon Member

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    #16
    Theres this portal software called vpcmps i think. Anyone try it?
     
    Dragoon, Feb 16, 2009 IP
  17. tapaspant

    tapaspant Peon

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    #17
    on homepage!!!!!!!!!!!!!
     
    tapaspant, Feb 16, 2009 IP
  18. Dragoon

    Dragoon Member

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    #18
    Do you have any SEO problems?
     
    Dragoon, Mar 11, 2009 IP
  19. popowich

    popowich Well-Known Member

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    #19
    I don't like /forum anymore.

    If I do anything I'll rename my index.php to another name that includes keywords.

    -Raymond
     
    popowich, Mar 13, 2009 IP
  20. Karen May Jones

    Karen May Jones Prominent Member

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    #20
    Good point. I think forum.com is good because the content will keep being updated and unique. Unlike a regular old site with some good info on it.

    But, I can't leave it at that. I have to have MORE than a forum at the site for some reason. Spreading myself too thin, me thinks.
     
    Karen May Jones, Mar 14, 2009 IP
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