sub-domain vs domain

bshearer Active Member

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#1

i'm not new to websites or adsense but i am curious about sub-domains vs. full domain names.

just from a practical perspective it is expensive purchasing domain names; if you want to have multiple sites. If SEOing a site is not a problem then can it be profitable using sub-domains? Page Rank should not matter; right? Or should I have a different philsophy?

Thanks!

Buddy

bshearer, Jan 9, 2007 IP

sparksflying Peon

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#2

Hi ,
to be honest Im not 100% sure... But have cheated and found some great stuff on a popular search engine

http://www.entrepreneurs-journey.com/111/should-you-use-subdomains-for-your-e-business-website/

And also the following from : http://www.highrankings.com/issue105.htm

Folders vs. Subdomains
By Catherine Parker

Whether it's synchronicity or just my imagination, I've come across
the same SEO issue several times in the past few weeks. The issue in
question? Folders vs. subdomains, and which is a better site structure
to ensure high search engine rankings. By folders, I mean having one
high-level domain with each site section following, e.g.
www.capetown.co.za/accommodation, as opposed to a subdomain structure
such as accommodation.capetown.co.za.

The Case for Folders

Sections in a folder structure are seen by search engines as part of
one site, so the more subsections you have, the more content your site
appears to have. And we all know how much search engines just love a
site that is rich in content. Folders allow you to build your site's
bulk with each new section addition. Also, the PageRank in each
section will be distributed throughout your whole site -- provided you
have a sound internal linking structure.

Apart from search engine issues, a folder structure is easier to
maintain -- it's easier to create a new site section than it is to
create a brand-new subdomain each time you want to add a new section
to your site. With a subdomain structure, you need to commit to a lot
of time and forward planning, since you're building up each subdomain
as though it were a different site.

The Case for Subdomains

Search engines see accommodation.capetown.co.za and www.capetown.co.za
as completely different sites. Therefore, any links between subdomains
will hold greater perceived weighting because they will be seen as
external rather than internal links within the site. This presupposes
that each of your other subdomains has a high PageRank -- in order for
the "external" links to be of benefit. However, a site with a folder
structure that has numerous inbound links of a high quality will have
the same effect.

A colleague of mine has an interesting theory that themed directories
are more inclined to link to subdomains. For example, an accommodation
directory would rather link to accommodation.capetown.co.za than
capetown.com/accommodation, as subdomains are likely to be more
concentrated on the topic and have more content. Whether it's true or
not, this demonstrates the branding advantage of having subdomains. As
he says, "It's the difference that does make a difference to some
directory editors."

The other advantage is that some directories allow for category
submissions -- meaning that with subdomains, you can submit various
subdomains under each relevant category without abusing any of the
policies. It's important to keep each subdomain unique. If you do
this, there's no risk of duplicate content and more chances of being
accepted into different categories.

So Which One Is Better?

Not all sites are created equal, and as with offline business, each
site has its own goals and priorities. Great rankings are much more
about site content than site structure -- although the latter is still
important in terms of usability. If you stick to a long-term plan of
building great content and sourcing some great inbound links, all
things being equal, it won't make much difference whether you have a
subdomain or a folder structure.

If you go with a folder structure, be sure to build up substantial
content and have useful and important inbound links back to your site.
If you have loads of content and good branding reasons for treating
each section as a separate entity, then subdomains may be the best way
to go. However, there is a lot more work involved if and when you
decide to add a new section -- it's not as simple as adding another
folder.

Examine your site goals before you decide what structure is best for
you. Then roll up your sleeves and give it your best shot. Good luck!

Catherine Parker
Click to expand...

Hope this helps.. its cleared it up for me too!

sparksflying, Jan 9, 2007 IP

kh7 Peon

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#3

The general consensus seems to be that subdomains are treated by search engines as separate domains. So yes, you can use them. But only use them if you want the subdomain to be associated (by people) with the main domain. Otherwise - get a new domain. They are not that expensive after all.

kh7, Jan 9, 2007 IP

pixads Well-Known Member

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#4

if you want to put some related info on different subs it's ok but if it's going to be different topics you can just register a new domain
6.20 ist't that much right

pixads, Jan 9, 2007 IP

bshearer Active Member

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#5

Thanks everyone for the replies. It appears that my provider is WAY over priced to what I am trying to acheive. I pay $14.95 per domain. Half of that would be much better.

I think I do have a pretty good hosting service "Dotster". I have never had any trouble and when I have had a question they have been very responsive. I have an unlimited pacakage and I have not put a dent in it. At $30/mth.

Should I be more diverse in this area with other providers or is one okay. What are some of the other hosting plans you guys are using and domain name costs?

Thanks again for all of your comments!

Buddy

bshearer, Jan 9, 2007 IP

flip Peon

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#6

well, we're getting out of the "adsense" topic now ( you'll get better replies in the Hosting section), but GoDaddy is good for registering names, even if the founder's blog is a bit icky. I have Dotster for hosting some sites and I HATE IT. I am simply biding my time until it runs out. Terrible. As soon as you switch from Dotster to another host, you will clearly see how terrible Dotster's control panel and service is.

subdomains...if you're in this for the long run, i'd recommend buying separate domains. my subdomains seem to get deindexed faster than separate domains. look around, you can find cheaper.

flip, Jan 9, 2007 IP

baker101 Peon

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#7

hi, since i plan on launching multiple blogs in subdomains, i dont think the main domain name is important.

for example if i had www.myinfoblogs.com, and then had a subdomain for each blog that i am interested in like.... myhome.myinfoblogs.com, and then another one hiphipmusic.myinfoblogs.com.....myinfoblogs does not have much bearing on the pagerank correct?

thanks.

baker101, Jan 29, 2007 IP

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sub-domain vs domain

bshearer Active Member

sparksflying Peon

kh7 Peon

pixads Well-Known Member

bshearer Active Member

flip Peon

baker101 Peon

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