...that is the question. I am going to start a software directory, but it will be only for audio and video related software. Now, I bought the domain name audio-video-tools.com for this (don't look at that site now; the version there now is not the one that will go live). However, I stated thinking... The theme of the site would basically be the same as my main site (blazemp.com), which is a very strong site. I expect it to be PR8 when Google does the proper update. I wondered if it would be a better idea to start with a new site and keep it separate from blazemp.com or perhaps make a sub-domain on blazemp.com and put it there. What do you all think would be best? On one hand, I will be accepting submissions from third party developers. So, it will be linking out to a number of external sites. I would hate to risk getting a bad link out associated with blazemp.com. On the other hand, I have heard that sub-doimains on an established site often do not have sandbox issues. This brings me to my second, but equally important question. It would be very beneficial for me to link to this new site from blazemp.com. However, this new site will be listing the Blaze Media Pro software, and therefore link back to blazemp.com. Therefore, this would seem to be considered a reciprocal link in the eyes of Google. So, my question is this... Should I link to it from blazemp.com? Later down the road when this new site is established, the link from it to blazemp.com should be very meaningful since the theme is perfect for it, but if it has been labeled as reciprocal, it may not have much value. Thanks in advance for your thoughts and feedback.
Are the listings going to be paid from people wanting to sell their software? Personally I would do www.blazemp.com/directory/ I dont think you would have anything to worry about using your main site for the directory at all as long as you are monitoring the listings. Im sure people would pay a pretty penny to get listed in that directory also since it has a good opportunity to bring them traffic. But I am not quite clear on the point behind the directory. Also I dont like subdomains so I would stay away from them but as you know its easier to build links to a subdomain than an "internal page".
The listings will likely be free (at least for standard listings. there will be options for featured listings). The site will be much more for end-users than what we think of as directories. That is, the people submitting here will be software developers rather than just any webmaster as it lists software only. The point behind it is that it will be a very good resource for multimedia (audio and video) software. It will contain categories only for audio and video related software, which will make it very easy to find exactly what you're looking for. I know what you mean regarding the internal pages and directory listings. I don't want to list it as a directory on blazemp.com, though. blazemp.com is on a dedicated Windows server that I don't want to install PHP on just for this. If I put it on a sub-domain or the new domain, I can host it on a shared Linux account.
If thats the case then I would just do a new domain rather than a subdomain. But if it is a resource for users from blazemp than I would definetly link those 2 together and you should be just fine. But I would choose a name like www.blazedir.com or something similiar.
Thanks much for your feedback. It's not really a resource for users of blazemp.com, though. The reverse is more true. I hope that users of the new site will visit blazemp.com (if they are looking for a solution it covers). Is your recommendation the same with that in mind?
Well then I would still make a new domain but not link to it from blaze. Would be not a great idea to lose your potential customers to someone in your directory. But by doing this you are starting a fresh site and it wont be easy to get going.
Hi Mystic, I would have put up a new site instead of a subdomain. I could not risk a high PR site and a dedicated IP "completely" in case something goes wrong. If some mishap happens all you will have to do then is remove the link from your existing site to prevent the damage flow, but if it's a whole subdomain on it, then it's difficult to recover. regards jeet
Why don't you set up the new domain as a stand alone. The main part is the introduction. Then set up subs from it for the audio and the video and maybe a ecomm. All of your subs are for each particular niche of the various software markets. The ecomm would tie in nicely with blazeamp and you wouldn't lose traffic to others in the dirs, but you would be able to give great exposure to both in your own dirs. This would also improve the value of the adspace, since now some of it would already be taken. Each sub could crosspromote eachother. Your file system would be much cleaner. it would also concentrate the key phrases together much nicer. Eventually they could all become powerhouses that could effectively promote back to your main (blazeamp) site. all of your subs could rank just fine. At that point, try to buy up some easy to remember doms that could redirect to the various subs. Do your advertising on those for good type in traffic. The biggest drawback on subs is getting a persn to type all the stuff in. Especcially with an initial dom with hyphens in it.
It's an interesting idea. However, the script for the site would not work with that setup, so it is pretty much not an option. I don't think it would be the best way to go anyway, since the cost for promoting would be several times more on an ongoing basis.