Domain vs Subdomain vs Subdirectory

epple123 · 04-25-2011, 05:52 PM

What's more effective from an SEO perspective? Does it matter?
domain.com
subdomain.domain.com
domain.com/subdirectory

I'm working with about 30 keyword phrases, all related to one single topic. I will be building separate content for each phrase.

I could set up separate domains for each phrase.
or
I could set up a single domain for the broad topic, house everything under that broad domain, and use subdomains to house the remaining phrases.
or
I could set up a single domain and use subdirectories for the remaining phrases.

Any help appreciated.

JayVance · 04-25-2011, 06:09 PM

Ideally exact domain keywords are the best for SEO. But honestly, with a bit more backlinking you can rank anything, whether it's a subdomain or subdirectory.

I've got some domains that ranked #1 for low competition keywords and they are exact keyword match domains. That was with NO backlinking. It does happen, you just have to find the keywords. Just proves the advantage of exact keyword domains.

EDIT: To clarify, I use a threshold of 900 exact searches per month when I look for keywords. Typically you find these for micro sub niche sites. Sometimes you find a keyword that has zero competition and the exact keyword will rank naturally on index.

MediaTechExpert · 05-22-2011, 06:01 PM

You ever ran across a scenario where both sides of an answer are correct? Whether the cup is 'half-full' or 'half-empty', they both mean the same thing.

There are differences, but ranking wise, don't beat yourself with a stick trying to figure out which one is more powerful when there are minute comparisons.

KunTaoM · 05-22-2011, 07:30 PM

epple123,

I would go for directory if it is in the same niche, for example

fish .com/how-to-fish

If it is different niche, then go for sudomain. One of the example is about.com

You can do research site:about.com and you will notice each different niche has it own subdomain name.

Hope my answer help.

akmaher · 05-22-2011, 07:41 PM

Thanks, I had forgotten about "about". I think the bottom line is anyway you do it, if you provide quality, by the end of the race you'll be ok.

faceblogger · 05-22-2011, 07:48 PM

domain.com is the best however you may go ahead with domain.com/key-word since you are working with about 30 keyword phrases, all related to one single topic

04-25-2011, 06:09 PM	#2
JayVance SEO Warrior War Room Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: STL MO Posts: 274 Thanks: 86 Thanked 37 Times in 33 Posts Social Networking	Re: Domain vs Subdomain vs Subdirectory Ideally exact domain keywords are the best for SEO. But honestly, with a bit more backlinking you can rank anything, whether it's a subdomain or subdirectory. I've got some domains that ranked #1 for low competition keywords and they are exact keyword match domains. That was with NO backlinking. It does happen, you just have to find the keywords. Just proves the advantage of exact keyword domains. EDIT: To clarify, I use a threshold of 900 exact searches per month when I look for keywords. Typically you find these for micro sub niche sites. Sometimes you find a keyword that has zero competition and the exact keyword will rank naturally on index.
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05-22-2011, 06:01 PM	#3
MediaTechExpert Practice = Perfection.... Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 55 Thanks: 16 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts Contact Info	Re: Domain vs Subdomain vs Subdirectory You ever ran across a scenario where both sides of an answer are correct? Whether the cup is 'half-full' or 'half-empty', they both mean the same thing. There are differences, but ranking wise, don't beat yourself with a stick trying to figure out which one is more powerful when there are minute comparisons.

05-22-2011, 07:30 PM	#4
KunTaoM HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 114 Thanks: 3 Thanked 22 Times in 20 Posts	Re: Domain vs Subdomain vs Subdirectory epple123, I would go for directory if it is in the same niche, for example fish .com/how-to-fish If it is different niche, then go for sudomain. One of the example is about.com You can do research site:about.com and you will notice each different niche has it own subdomain name. Hope my answer help.

05-22-2011, 07:41 PM	#5
akmaher Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 9 Thanks: 2 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Domain vs Subdomain vs Subdirectory Thanks, I had forgotten about "about". I think the bottom line is anyway you do it, if you provide quality, by the end of the race you'll be ok.
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05-22-2011, 07:48 PM	#6
faceblogger Senior Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: USA Posts: 1,118 Thanks: 66 Thanked 147 Times in 106 Posts	Re: Domain vs Subdomain vs Subdirectory domain.com is the best however you may go ahead with domain.com/key-word since you are working with about 30 keyword phrases, all related to one single topic
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04-25-2011, 05:52 PM	#1
epple123 Warrior Member War Room Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Domain vs Subdomain vs Subdirectory What's more effective from an SEO perspective? Does it matter? domain.com subdomain.domain.com domain.com/subdirectory I'm working with about 30 keyword phrases, all related to one single topic. I will be building separate content for each phrase. I could set up separate domains for each phrase. or I could set up a single domain for the broad topic, house everything under that broad domain, and use subdomains to house the remaining phrases. or I could set up a single domain and use subdirectories for the remaining phrases. Any help appreciated.