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Subdomains vs. Domains

Discussion in 'General Marketing' started by Blogmaster, Apr 9, 2005.

?

Subdomains or folders?

Poll closed Apr 19, 2005.
  1. subdomains

    2 vote(s)
    40.0%
  2. folders

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  3. other (please explain)

    3 vote(s)
    60.0%
  1. #1
    Normally I would be the one answering a question like this but right now I am in the situation where I cannot see the trees because of the forrest.

    Let's say we are building a nation wide directory for real estate
    all 50 States, Canada, and then rest of the world (sorry not discriminating, just trying to keep it mainly continental :) )

    Anyways, what would you guys do, have 52 subdomains or 52 folders?
    like
    http://california.realestateforum.com/sandiego/agent vs
    http://www.realestateforum.com/california/sandiego/agent ?
    I would like to focus on the seo aspects but also anything else that may come into play such as brandability and so on.

    Please place your opinions here. We mean business with this and I rather do things right the first time :)

    Mike
     
    Blogmaster, Apr 9, 2005 IP
  2. YoungCoder

    YoungCoder Peon

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    #2
    Personally i wouldn't bother with either as it would take alot of time to organise and update, especially having to modify the content of 52 folders!

    IMO you should use a database and if you REALLY wanted to make some kind of distinct seperation like folders, you could use Mod_Rewrite to make it seem like folders :D

    Of course you could just as easily have it as a ?cat=Indonesia jobbie :)

    Just my 2.5 cents,

    YoungCoder
     
    YoungCoder, Apr 9, 2005 IP
  3. anthonycea

    anthonycea Banned

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    #3
    I think that SE's like easy to read URL's and it helps SERP placement, look at what the folks that are coming out at the top are doing and copy them. :eek:
     
    anthonycea, Apr 9, 2005 IP
  4. nullbit

    nullbit Peon

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    #4
    I thought the poll results so far was funny given his question:

     
    nullbit, Apr 9, 2005 IP
  5. anthonycea

    anthonycea Banned

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    #5
    How about explaining it to us Nullbit :p :p :p

    That is just ST, he smokes too much man :eek:
     
    anthonycea, Apr 9, 2005 IP
  6. Blogmaster

    Blogmaster Blood Type Dating Affiliate Manager

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    #6
    hehe ... I have to make a decision by 6 pm
     
    Blogmaster, Apr 9, 2005 IP
  7. Blogmaster

    Blogmaster Blood Type Dating Affiliate Manager

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    #7
    I only smoke cigarettes :D

    But seriously this is important. The subdomains vs folders, or other. From an seo standpoint I am flexible now since everything seems to work (disagree if you like).
     
    Blogmaster, Apr 9, 2005 IP
  8. Blogmaster

    Blogmaster Blood Type Dating Affiliate Manager

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    #8
    my real estate forum is only the beginning of what is yet to come. and I don't want to make any mistake which could be prevented.
     
    Blogmaster, Apr 9, 2005 IP
  9. anthonycea

    anthonycea Banned

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    #9
    Like I told you already, go to your main competition and see how they are doing it, I know that there is another big Real Estate forum that a member here linked to a hell of a lot.
     
    anthonycea, Apr 9, 2005 IP
  10. nullbit

    nullbit Peon

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    #10
    Sub-domain
    -------------------
    Pros:
    - Looks more attractive in the address bar
    - If one subdomain gets sandboxed/penalized, less likely to affect others
    - Keywords in hostname - possibly gives more weight?

    Cons:
    - Technically more difficult to setup/maintain
    - SEO benefits might not pass down as well from parent www. sub-domain?

    Directories
    -------------------
    Pretty much the converse of the above
     
    nullbit, Apr 9, 2005 IP
    Blogmaster likes this.
  11. Blogmaster

    Blogmaster Blood Type Dating Affiliate Manager

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    #11
    I don't care about the competition. They don't see the big picture. This is about what will work best in the next few years to come. seo, server and visitor wise, what looks best in the browser and what brands a domain name best, no matter what will be on it (cannot get into details, patent pending)
     
    Blogmaster, Apr 9, 2005 IP
  12. Blogmaster

    Blogmaster Blood Type Dating Affiliate Manager

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    #12
    Thank you!

    - Looks more attractive in the address bar
    but will it still brand the name well?
    - SEO benefits might not pass down as well from parent www. sub-domain?
    ic so bascially the folder can help more but can cause more damage if an agent does something goofy
     
    Blogmaster, Apr 9, 2005 IP
  13. anthonycea

    anthonycea Banned

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    #13
    What forums are coming up before you in the SERP's and how do they use URL's :confused:
     
    anthonycea, Apr 9, 2005 IP
  14. nullbit

    nullbit Peon

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    #14
    I should say, they are only my opinion, sitetutor. I could be totally wrong.
     
    nullbit, Apr 9, 2005 IP
  15. Blogmaster

    Blogmaster Blood Type Dating Affiliate Manager

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    #15
    ok, thanks.
     
    Blogmaster, Apr 9, 2005 IP
  16. Dreamshop

    Dreamshop Peon

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    #16
    Hey ST!

    I think if you want to 'brand' each state in the directory separately I would go with subdomains. It may be more work on the technical end, but certainly much easier for you to promote. The bigger picture may be that it's easier to simply market your primary domain and leave it at that.

    This is always the big debate for any business...do you do what's easier for you, or what's easiest for your target audience. Put yourself in their shoes and go from there.

    Of course investment costs also play into this. How do you want to organize your content? Can you afford a backend setup that supports that, as well as work within a subdomain structure?


    Nothing is ever easy...lol. :cool:
     
    Dreamshop, Apr 9, 2005 IP
  17. Dreamshop

    Dreamshop Peon

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    #17
    Here's another thought...

    Some of the most successful Internet sites are surprisingly low-key when it comes to layout. They focused on the most simple easy to understand format.

    Example... www.Craigslist.com.
     
    Dreamshop, Apr 9, 2005 IP
  18. anthonycea

    anthonycea Banned

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    #18
    He could always hire you to make it easy Dreamshop :eek:

    What do you charge, $50.00 - $75.00 per hour :confused: :eek:
     
    anthonycea, Apr 9, 2005 IP
  19. Blogmaster

    Blogmaster Blood Type Dating Affiliate Manager

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    #19
    Thank you for the advice, guys! Keep it coming !
     
    Blogmaster, Apr 9, 2005 IP