Subdomains

[lee]

I'm looking into the possibility of developing specialists.co.uk, perhaps using using the directory theme from
Premiumpress.co.uk

What is better, for both seo and development purposes?

A subdomain;

insurance.specialists.uk

Or

Specialists.uk/insurance

Are there any putfalls in using either?

 

[golddiggerguy]

Sub Domains I think (correct me) are individual websites in the eyes of Google etc and so better for SEO.

Pit falls if you do use WP theme that would mean many sites to set up but you could maybe 301 redirect from the other method you mentioned.


Specialists.uk/insurance redirects to Insurance.specialists.uk

Not done this myself but seems a logical way to do it to save time and efforts but keeping the SEO value.

 

[Edwin]

Yes, Google will see subdomains as separate sites. You can encourage this process by ensuring each subdomain has its own "character" (distinctive look, text etc.) and by developing independent incoming links to each subdomain. In other words, treat the job of building traffic to each subdomain as if you're dealing with a distinct site, and focus on getting PR going for the topic it covers.

 

[lee]

Thanks guys, that's pretty much what I thought.

I would want to cover a lot of niches on the subdomain front but I'm not sure in going to have the time to build out each one individually.

The 301 is interesting, would mean only one site, could use Premium Press and could be set up in a day. If Google penalise the 301s is another story but I think that's the path I may take.

Thanks

 

[namealot]

Some would argue the toss as to if domain level ranking factors trust and authority etc are inherited by a sub domains in the same way they are inherited by a subdirectory/sub folder? Or vice versa, You can look at ease of ability to allow other to take charge of sub domains compared with sub folders, Cost of hosting ? Many believe sub domains are only better if your content is different from main site, How you would prefer/plan to promote the site its different niches xxx.xxx.com or xxx.com/xxx probably most important which “g” prefers today? Google sub domain or a subdirectory/sub folder? and you’ll probably find it clear as mud personally I’d go sub domain

 

[Murray]

If you're thinking about what's best for SEO, don't make a directory aka link farm

 

[mdrussell]

Some would argue the toss as to if domain level ranking factors trust and authority etc are inherited by a sub domains in the same way they are inherited by a subdirectory/sub folder? Or vice versa, You can look at ease of ability to allow other to take charge of sub domains compared with sub folders, Cost of hosting ? Many believe sub domains are only better if your content is different from main site, How you would prefer/plan to promote the site its different niches xxx.xxx.com or xxx.com/xxx probably most important which “g” prefers today? Google sub domain or a subdirectory/sub folder? and you’ll probably find it clear as mud personally I’d go sub domain

Anyone using cPanel can create a subdomain or addon domain at no additional cost from their hosting provider - assuming these settings are enabled on their plan (they should be with any reasonable provider).

Matt

 

[PanzerWagon]

I agree with Murray. I'd avoid a directory all together.

I'd also be avoiding ten a penny directory themes that are used on 100's other spam directories