new domain vs. subdirectory question

[zcx]

I have domain that's new (couple weeks old) but already indexed - widgetinformation.com. Several pages from a blog in a subdirectory are already on the second page of search results for their keywords - widgetinformation.com/bluewidgets/rectangular-blue-widgets, etc.

OK .... I want to put up a new site. It would work as a subdirectory of the existing domain - widgetinformation.com/greenwidgets - but I just checked and greenwidgets.net is available.

My question is, would there be a substantial SEO benefit to having the separate domain? Or if I went with a subdirectory, would the fact that the parent directory is already indexed be an advantage in getting the new site indexed?

I'm pretty confused about this. A lot of people say that having the main keyword as the domain name is a huge SEO advantage, but others say that as long as you get it into the URL, whether in the domain name, as a subdirectory or subdomain, or even as the name of the page, you've gotten all the SEO advantage you're gonna get.

I'd like to hear everyone's opinion on this. Thanks!

[turbohips]

Just add the new domain to your account. It's only like $10 to do so and much better for your seo efforts. Now keep in mind you'll have to optimize both sites to get found online.

[jokarl]

I have heard both aspects as well. The advantage with having the keyword in the domain is that you tend to get more links to your root domain and having keyword in the room domain makes it easier to get links with the right anchor. Another thing is if you get the exact keyword as domainname you tend to get an advantage. I mean if the big G will try to find relevant results the domain with the exact keyword should be pretty relevant.

[cheapdeals]

I think a new domain would be more valuable for your current domain is also new. It is easy to rank with an independent domain but not a sub-domain, IMO.