Folders versus Subdomains

[Cristian Mezei]

Originally Posted by MrMean

Therefore if a subdomain pointed to a different server would that increase the weight of the link even more?

Theretically yes. Different Class C IP ok ?

[MrMean]

Thats great but which is better a subdomain or folder

[Cristian Mezei]

Originally Posted by MrMean

Thats great but which is better a subdomain or folder

You saw the facts which both i and John presented in this thread.

It's up to you

[veridicus]

From my experience I'll say subdomain is generally better. As John always says, there are a lot of factors. But simply asking subdomain or folder I say subdomain.

[Immo]

Both! Odd I know, im just spoiling everything!!!

insurance.domain.com/cars
insurance.domain.com/home
insurance.domain.com/fridge-freezers (dont ask)

is better than;

www.domain.com/insurance/cars
www.domain.com/insurance/home
www.domain.com/insurance/fridge-freezers

Why?

Sure they are all about the same subject but the links between them as subdomains are classed as external links meaning oyu get a better weight on the link than if it where a subfolder.

[Johan007]

I agree with Cristian that subdomains do not carry the same weight, they are like starting again. John your observations are only true because I think you used allot of site wide links that give your subdomains the PR value in the toolbar but there pages would never rank as well would they?

Using a folder is the way to go but remember this would add more pages. The more pages you have the less PR would get spread and this is even reflected in the SERPS. If this was not true then every spammer would use an established domain and put hundreds of sites on them. However the more pages you have the more chance people will link to you and you can then start ranking like Amazon!

As for using different Class C IP that really is pointless because you only gain 1 or two IP's and that means very little for Search Engines.

[Cristian Mezei]

ALSO, if :

http://www.v7n.com/forums/

were to be :

http://forums.v7n.com

I'd bet, this forum would've been WAY lower in the SERPS.

This forum now benefits, or ALL the links to V7N.com and all other internal pages.

[John Scott]

Originally Posted by Johan007

I agree with Cristian that subdomains do not carry the same weight, they are like starting again. John your observations are only true because I think you used allot of site wide links that give your subdomains the PR value in the toolbar but there pages would never rank as well would they?

Johan, subdomains carry weight even when they are not linked to from the root domain. Try it out sometime.

[Immo]

I always use subdomains to split sites up.

I used to do hosting, design and marketing and had each as its own subdomain.


It kind of works for 2 reasons;

1. You can place similar things in their own space.

e.g.

marketing.domain.ext/ppc/
marketing.domain.ext/seo/
marketing.domain.ext/press-releases/

etc


2. Each individual element and subsequent links into it help the other sections of the site more than if they where subfolders.

[Mong]

JS!
If subdomain is redirected using 301 to subdirectory then i think all the benefits you mentioned of subdomain would still be available with all plus points of subdirectory.

Isn't it?

[sixty6]

Originally Posted by Mong

JS!
If subdomain is redirected using 301 to subdirectory then i think all the benefits you mentioned of subdomain would still be available with all plus points of subdirectory.

Isn't it?

Does anyone have an answer to this? I'd be interested to know as well...

(lol 3 month old thread )

[Mong]

haha yeah few months old actually few days before i read Expertu's answers to most commonly asked questions and then followed this thread.
But today by chance i thought about this idea

[Webfu]

Always been a fan of the folders myself.

[sixty6]

I personally like sub-domains..

[timtom]

I have to bring this topic back to life. I currently am trying to figure out whether or not to use a sub domain or folder structure. Here is my situation. Currently I have a site with a pr of 5/10 that has great ranking for keywords that I am targeting. The new site structure is up for discussion because the current URL is going to be the branded hotel site and then there are going to be two hotel sites that are also setup. The original idea was to use the old URL as the branded site and then purchase and use two new URL’s for the two hotel sites. The problem aroused when the URL of the Dallas location is already take. Therefore buying and using two new urls for the hotels the sites and just using the old URL for the branding site is not an option. The hotel wants to keep the old URL and use folders for the two hotel sites. In summary a branding site as the main URL and two hotels in the folders. correct me if I’m wrong but i belive this is a bad idea. Ranking for "dallas hotel" will kick you to the main domain and the user will have to navigate the branding site to find the Dallas part of the site. My recommendation is a subdomain structure therefore when a person searches "dallas hotel" they actually go straight to the sub domain site. I was sure on my decision until I ran into a posting at this site too that started me second guessing the sub domain idea. The site is http://www.monetizers.com/folders-vs-subdomains.php

Thanks in advance for the input!

[manageyourlinks]

sub domains are harder to make work well but will give you more than 1 or 2 spots in the SERPS. vs. folders which will rank better initially but wont get you 3-4 spots in the SERPS

[Webfu]

Thanks Timtom... thats a good article.

monetizers.com/folders-vs-subdomains.php

Folders.

[timtom]

Am I correct in saying that if I go with folders, when someone searches the hotel specific keyword "hotel Dallas" that they will go straight to the main branding site and then have to navigate to the "hotel dallas" page that they were originally looking for... I am worried about creating a new step for the users that will result in them leaving the site.

if i go with subdomains and one of the subdomains is focused on a hotel in dallas, when somone searches "hotel dallas" they will go directly to the subdomain page that is focused on a hotel in dallas... therefore saving a step.

[Webfu]

If you go with folders and one of the folders is focused on a hotel in dallas, when somone searches "hotel dallas" they will go directly to the folder or page that is focused on a hotel in dallas... therefore saving a step.

I'm fairly certain you can do it both ways. The spiders are going to find the most relevant page and display that one naturally. For branding reasons I always thought the folder structure was nicer looking than the sub domains to. For example - www.toyota.com/camry

I think the marketing/web people at toyota agree.

[timtom]

Webfu - i see your point...

my head is spinning on this topic of what to do!