subdomain vs separate domain

9 replies
  • SEO
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My webperson recommends I do not use subdomains for grouping my business activities and recommends using separate domains. He feels separate domains (interlinked) will add to my web presence and credibility and will improve my branding. Subdomains, otoh, will create a mishmash of pages, confuse search engines and destroy branding.

I am unconvinced. What do you Internet Warriors think?

Example: I am a business coach -- domain: frederickpearce.com (that's my name.)
I have various "properties."
1. My business and personal information, credentials, contact info
2. my blog
3. I have published a book
4. short-term coaching access - telephone and e-mail
5. a 9 month coaching program (in 4 parts, available separately as four distinct programs.)
6. I am considering adding a low cost business start-up incubator course.

I see 2 ways of structuring this --

A.
frederickpearce.com for #1 and #2
eyes-prize.com for #3 (the book is titled Keep Your Eyes On The Prize.)
business-coaching-programs.com for #4 and #5
business-startup-incubator.com (or similar) for #6

B
frederickpearce.com for #1
blog.frederickpearce.com for #2
book.frederickpearce.com for #3
phonecoaching.frederickpearce.com for #4 (phone)
emailcoaching.frederickpearce.com for #4 (e-mail)
successcoaching.frederickpearce.com for #5
startupincubator.frederickpearce.com for #6

Which do you think will be best and why?

Your help is appreciated.
#domain #separate #subdomain
  • Profile picture of the author RafaelThaGreat
    This sounds pretty bad ass, I would say go for it with what you have.
    Signature

    I plan to rule the world.... Starting Monday.

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    • Profile picture of the author Frederick2
      Rafael, thanks for your reply.

      Go with what, my friend? A or B?
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      • Profile picture of the author paulgl
        Your so-called webperson is full of nonsense.

        A subdomain is mostly looked upon AS a separate domain/website.

        Nothing wrong with them.

        Confuse search engines? ROTFLMAO!!!!

        Obviously he has never visited espn.com, about.com, zap2it, ...
        and perhaps the baddest a$$ internet marketing forum, digitalpoint.
        (I myself would vote for WF hands down)

        Don't mention subdmains to the folks at wikipedia either. It's powered
        by subdomains for every major language.

        Ever take a gander at craigslist? hubpages? Blogspot blogs?
        I mean come on, man! Get a grip on subdomain reality!

        Your so-called "web person" does not seem to be on the web much.

        Subdomains rock and roll as good as anything.

        There are reasons for using other domains. But those reasons have
        nothing to with subdomains doing the same job just as good.

        Any real web person would know this. In fact, subdomains were created
        for people and circumstances like yours.

        Paul
        Signature

        If you were disappointed in your results today, lower your standards tomorrow.

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        • Profile picture of the author Frederick2
          Great, Paul! I appreciate your comments. I can see you are quite passionate about this stuff!

          So, if there are pros and cons for both subdomains and separate domains, a mixed bag of several separate domains and some subdomains would be okay?

          In defense of my 'webperson', I may have misunderstood his reasoning. Who knows what horrors he has encountered with other clients. I often feel he tries to protect me from myself. And, to some extent, that is what I am paying him for.

          Thank you for taking the time.
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  • Profile picture of the author User-Name
    I agree fully with paulgl.
    Is a webperson someone on the way to being a webmaster?
    Perhaps a learner?
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    • Profile picture of the author Frederick2
      Originally Posted by User-Name View Post

      I agree fully with paulgl.
      Is a webperson someone on the way to being a webmaster?
      Perhaps a learner?
      Thanks, U-N.

      My man is not a learner (except that in this fast-changing tech-world everyone is a learner, to some extent, I feel.) He is someone I have known for several years as a web designer and hired to create a Wordpress website for me. Recently we upgraded it and created a second one. I think of a webmaster as a permanent fixture, and my man is hired as needed. Minor coding and content editing, I do myself.

      Thanks for confirming Paul's comments. Paul comes across as very knowledgeable.
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  • Profile picture of the author turboshandy
    Originally Posted by Frederick2 View Post

    separate domains (interlinked) will add to my web presence and credibility and will improve my branding. Subdomains, otoh, will create a mishmash of pages, confuse search engines and destroy branding.
    The truth is the opposite of what your "webperson" said.
    Branding is important, so using one domain for branding your business is enough and, I would add, recommended!
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    • Profile picture of the author Frederick2
      Thanks, Turbo. A consensus seems to be forming. I've probably totally misunderstood previous advice. Thanks for contributing.
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  • Profile picture of the author arindamb
    I'd prefer a subdomain. It really doesn't make any SEO difference.
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