Put a new directory on its own domain or on a sub domain

Discussion in 'Directories' started by Digitank, Jul 10, 2006.

0
  1. #1
    My main site sells widgets under www.mysite.com - I have influential regional key phrase searching in my industry. Hence “city + widget” key phrases. Although my main site has unique content and is growing all the time it will never cover all the applicable regional key phrase combinations. Therefore I am constructing a directory to include other widget selling companies in my country.

    By covering every city/town and major region i.e. county/state I estimate my directory to end up around 43,000 pages in size - I am intending to release x amount of pages per day for 6 months to grow the site more naturally in the eyes of Google. Compare this to my main site which is only about 280 pages and will probably only make 500 pages by the end of 2006.

    I had intended to place the directory on a sub domain i.e. directory.mysite.com as I assumed the age of my main domain would be beneficial. However there is a small worry that Google will see this site as spam. Although I have tried to make sure it includes unique and value added content for visitors - there will be a limit to what I do with it. So with this in my mind would I be better of putting the directory on a separate domain?

    This leads to a second question I suppose of what should be included in a directory who’s whole purpose is to clean up regional searches for a main site?
     
    Digitank, Jul 10, 2006 IP
  2. Jamie Lister

    Jamie Lister Peon

    Messages:
    421
    Likes Received:
    10
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #2
    Hmm good point.
    I'm curious to read what others have to say.

    I had the same worries as you and i ended up placing my directories in a separate domain.
    Its all connected and i'm hoping for a good ranking in the next update from Google. lets see if i'm right.
     
    Jamie Lister, Jul 10, 2006 IP
  3. Obelia

    Obelia Notable Member

    Messages:
    2,083
    Likes Received:
    171
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    210
    #3
    I think it's always better to put a new site on its own domain. It looks better for visitors.

    But if you're concerned that your offering may be considered at all spammy by Google, your main concern will be whether or not you want to interlink those sites at all. Reciprocal linking shows an association between sites which is at least as important, if not more, than the domain name. Think of all those subdomains on Yahoo Geocities, for instance, that are often entirely unrelated.
     
    Obelia, Jul 11, 2006 IP