Sub Domains - A bad idea for SEO?

[SFC]

I am starting to branch of into web design for small businesses and want to use my current business "Swordfishing Central" as this is what I DBA.

I was thinking of starting a separate site at webdesign.swordfishingcentral.com Is this a bad idea for the search engines. I've noticed that sub domains don't get high PR's?

Thanks,
Mike

[Jazzee]

*Moved to SEO forum.

[awall19]

subdomains are fine and many sites use subdomains...like the about.com network.

[88sahara]

They can screw with your linking popularity push, as subdomains are considered separate sites in the eyes of spider based engines, so if you have subdir1.mysite.com you'll have to build links to that and you'll have to build links to mysite.com.

This is whyi rarely use subdirs when working on SEO.

[nandini]

SubDomains can be a good idea if your sections are nothing short of individual sites..
For eg. mail.yahoo.com and dir.yahoo.com

Both these subdomains are appropriate because mail and directory of yahoo are themselves and independent projects.

I don`t think there would be any effect in regards to SEO by having subdomains or not.

[Jake Jarvis]

I've never had any problems with subdomains... I like using them to create a wall between my main site and a whole different site, and with Google at least I haven't found anything wrong with them.

[SFC]

Well, my main site is wwww.swordfishingcentral.com and I am launching a webdesign department. I was thinking of going with something like www.swordfishingcentral.com/webdesign/ or just creating a subdomain and a seperate site with the appropriate buttons for the services offered.

The 2 sites are pretty much different, but I am targeting web design for fishing professionals and fishing websites.. so they do tie together just a tad.

I am not really worried about getting a great ranking right off the bat, because my main site will have links to the subdomain... But eventually I want to be searchable for the terms "fishing websites" or something like that...

Thanks for the replies... this is a great site..

Mike

[Buskerdoo]

Shouldn't be a problem.

Just link to them with seperate keyword links, etc. and they will both get spidered.

[James Trotta]

I think subdomains do have an affect on SEO, particulary linkbuilding. Many directories and other sites will only link to the same domain once. Get two different domain names and you can get more links.

Originally Posted by nandini

SubDomains can be a good idea if your sections are nothing short of individual sites..
For eg. mail.yahoo.com and dir.yahoo.com

Both these subdomains are appropriate because mail and directory of yahoo are themselves and independent projects.

I don`t think there would be any effect in regards to SEO by having subdomains or not.

[dcristo]

I would go the different domain route aswell. Looks more professional IMO.

[Big Ben]

Originally Posted by dcristo

I would go the different domain route aswell. Looks more professional IMO.

I agree. Hosting is so cheep these days why not have a separate domain for your web design department.