I'm about to start a link building campaign for a site which uses subdomains to separate out content for different countries; i.e. from the uk it's uk. sitename.com, from the usa it's us. sitename.com etc. The site uses geolocation to forward traffic from the tld to the appropriate subdomain. My question is, do most directories accept subdomains?? Any tips or suggestions gratefully received. Cheers
I think itd be case by case but I think if someone submitted various subdomains as long as they had unique content it would be ok
When it comes to a free directory, subdomains are rarely accepted. In a paid directory, may it be a main domain or subdomain only quality counts.. If you have a good quality site, you are accepted in the directory.
Most good directories accept subdomains because the directory owners know that search engines treat subdomains as a separate web site. However, if your content is separated onto so many subdomains that it looks spammy you'll be rejected.
I think most of the directories accept them. You can read the submission guidelines before submitting to confirm.
I usually dont accept them in mine, unless as a featured, i may make the odd exception, but generally i wont take them as a regular.
Thanks for your input folks. I guess I'll take them as they come, but your replies are mainly positive. Which is nice...
Just as a learning curve, i would love to hear from you not about what you can get from directories but rather what you would like to see from directories. As mentioned some / most of the better ones will cater for your needs. I am guessing the main domain name has links to the sub urls so why could you not list the main title then deep link the sub urls to a regional listing?, or is the contect etc different to each site, if possible throw a link with a bit more info about your site.
If your main site uses a script to geographically forward someone to the appropriate subdomain name, what is the problem submitting that URL, you need only give a better description in your submissions, something something covering, US, UK, CH etc...
It depends on the site and content too, he may want better search engine rankings for the sub domains.
I would have assumed all the sites are the same, hence been redirected to users individual country/subdomain name. For better search rankings that will come in time with the proper use of keywords for each subdomain. Consider Google, pending on your country thats the domain extension your search results come from. Anyway on another note, not excepting subdomains ? whats that about, I understand about free hosts and crappy sites, but even so, thats like saying you wouldn't except .blogspot .myspace or any of the other big names. In a search engines eyes all URL's are domains, we recently saw that in action with G where a home page dropped its pr and inner pages including subdomains received a pr. All submitted URL's received should be looked at.
The way we normally treat these types of sites is to have the submitter submit the main domain only for free submissions and leave it up to the site to direct the visitor as appropriate. For express (paid) we again ask the visitor submits the main domain for the primary URL, however we then allow them to add 5 deep links, these of course can now be to set to the regional sub-domains. It might not be perfect but it gives us and the submitter a reasonable compromise between our needs and theirs. As for other directories best to read their guidelines or ask them directly.
Better search engine rankings will come due to proper use of link building techniques with his set up of sub domains. If he has a Portuguese version of his site and an English version (primary domain) and only submits the English version to directories whilst targeting the keyword 'Good Morning' that wont do anything to bolster his position for the Portuguese version 'Bom Dia'. If a directory accepts foreign language submissions and sub domains then he should submit using the 'Bom Dia' and the Portuguese sub domain, not the primary domain. * My Portuguese is based on Brazil's version so that translation may not be 100% accurate.
I think i just said that, proper use of keywords on the subdomains, however as @tolra states maybe his directory choice should be that of one that excepts deep links
In free directory submission, subdomains is accepted, it must contain description and keyword and best of all read their guide lines....
Wow, thanks for all your replies folks. I did initially think just to submit the primary domain, but this is a relatively new project for the site owner and they are looking to have the UK promoted at this time. The primary domain is Send Flowers, and the UK subdomain is Flower Delivery UK Thanks again for you input
Ok with the main url redirecting to country and not supported yet, list your uk link to uk directories / and or directories with a uk region listing use the florist catagory or similar also if you can deep link inthose to online shopping > florist as well. Do the same with others as they come on line, then when all sub urls are listed ( keep a list of the directories ) submit the main url to the main catagory of the regional listed directories.