Single or Multiple Domains?

Discussion in 'Search Engine Optimization' started by thedagda, Sep 25, 2006.

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  1. #1
    We are currently in the planning stages for a re-design & re-focus of my organization's primary website. The original plan called to create a 'corporate' site with news, events, contact info, about us, etc...

    A second (brand-new) site was to be created that would house all product related (information, installation, warranty, knowledge-base, where-to-buy) information. This will amount to a large amount of information - hence the second site theory.

    The question was posed to me - what is better for SEO? I would like to balance usability with SEO as much as possible. The sites would have many reciprocal links (especially from the corporate site to products site).

    Additionally, we are the leader in our industry, by far. The current URL for the corporate site is well ranked and has been ranked since '97. The products site is new and I assume will be subject most of the Sandboxes out there.

    Any suggestions on which way to take this? One site or two?
     
    thedagda, Sep 25, 2006 IP
  2. Kaudo

    Kaudo Well-Known Member

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    #2
    ...One site.
     
    Kaudo, Sep 25, 2006 IP
  3. mikepollock

    mikepollock Peon

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    #3
    go with one
     
    mikepollock, Sep 25, 2006 IP
  4. ayebiz

    ayebiz Peon

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    #4
    One domain to take benefit of the SEO but multiple sites to do the resource balancing. Keep your www site be the main and setup new sites such as kb.yourdomain.com, support.yourdomain.com at various servers to balance the load.
    Good luck..
     
    ayebiz, Sep 25, 2006 IP
  5. bwb

    bwb Peon

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    #5
    why not spread it over 2 and rank for both domains?
     
    bwb, Sep 25, 2006 IP
  6. thedagda

    thedagda Peon

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    #6
    That's the question - I'm assuming that it will be easier to rank for the one domain with a ton of content, than for two domains with good, but less content.

    I do like the idea of running it as a sub-domain, but from what I've read, sub-domains are treated as separate sites, correct?
     
    thedagda, Sep 25, 2006 IP
  7. onestop

    onestop Well-Known Member

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    #7
    true.

    I'd definitely go with the one site since it's already been there with good rankings and the advantage of being an authority site.

    good luck
     
    onestop, Sep 25, 2006 IP
  8. eukhost

    eukhost Banned

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    #8
    Subdomains are treated as separate sites, so choosing either subdomains or separate domain makes no difference. I would suggest one site since it has already been up there for years now and ranks well.
     
    eukhost, Sep 26, 2006 IP
  9. Dudibob

    Dudibob Peon

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    #9
    I'd say one site, betterer for the user and for SEO purposes there's practically no difference in either route as both make completely new URL's
     
    Dudibob, Sep 26, 2006 IP
  10. jedweb

    jedweb Peon

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    #10
    I can't see any reason to have multiple sites except if you are having resource issues. All content on one site with all inbound links pointing to one site should always be the best option.
     
    jedweb, Sep 26, 2006 IP
  11. macgyver

    macgyver Member

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    #11
    I prefer one site. one domain ... not multiple subdomain though
     
    macgyver, Sep 26, 2006 IP
  12. thedagda

    thedagda Peon

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    #12
    I guess it's back to the drawing board for the site architecture.:rolleyes: Thanks for the input and suggestions.
     
    thedagda, Sep 26, 2006 IP