Subdomains or Subdirectories ? which one is the best for SEO

I have a website , I want to know what is the best for SEO - sub directories or sub domains?

To give you an instance : http://www.webdesign.companyname.com (Sub-Domain) or http://www.companyname.com/webdesign (Sub-Directory). Else, will it hurt my SEO if i go for sub-domain: http://www.webdesign.companyname.com ? . It will be really appreciated if some inputs can be offered.

 

Subdomains are treated like new sites, which means you go back to square one. If you're trying to separate a service which is related to your "main domain," I suggest you do it using a sub-directory; otherwise, use subdomains for entirely new products not related to, say, web design. Look what Google has been doing maps.google.com, mail.google.com, etc.

 

Its a complicated question. According to what you have asked, you are going for services then sub directories. Generally, whenever you are going to create a page and it is related to your current service or product you should create sub-directories. If you are going to start a totally different services or product and if you want to get benefit of your original and well recognized brand then you should go with sub-domain.

Now I want to tell you an important thing. Post Panda, sub-domain is safe way because if your main-domain get penalized (I wish that not happen with anyone) your sub-domain will remain same. Just read this interesting post

whitefireseo(dot)com/site-architecture/subdomain-or-subfolder-post-panda/360

 

yes I agree with this. sub domain is just like a page from your main page like www.domain.com/contact or www.domain.com/service

 

Looks like I was not clear on my initial post. Let me fill you with actual details.

We provide web development services and specialize in different CMS, Mobile and ecommerce tools like Drupal, Joomla, Wordpress, Magento, OsCommerce, etc.

We are debating on whether to use subdomains or sub directories for each one of those services.

for example, for Drupal CMS development http://drupal.domain.com and target "drupal development company" keyword phrase in this sub domain.

For example, for Joomla CMS Development http://joomla.domain.com and target "joomla development company" keyword in this sub domain.

For example, Main domain http://www.domain.com and target keyword phrase "web development company"

As you can see we have to target different keywords for different pages.

Our main concern is how much it would help for SEO to have the service (drupal) name in the URL, like http://drupal.domain.com vs http://www.domain.com/drupal-development-company

Hope, this clarifies. Please advise which is better for SEO.

 

You should use sub-directories. You can leverage maximum benefit by doing so. Otherwise you have to work from scratch for each and every sub-domain from SEO point of view.

 

According to me subdomains is the best for seo because if we have sub domain then we get too much benefits with sub domains we can put the whole data in our sub domain.

 

You should use subdomain for entirely different kind of services. If you are not doing so, sub directory is the best option for you.

 

Honestly, So many different factors go into deciding whether to go for a sub domain or sub directory. Generally speaking, if your main domain already has decent SEO done to it, then a sub directory would benefit from this. But if your new project is different to your main project, it's probably better to get a new domain than a subdomain.

 

IMO subdomain is better than subdirectory.

 

sub directories is best option from SEO prospect

 

Great Article!

Thanks

 

I think both were treated the same... but I would still go the sub domain since you can optimize other keyword on it.