subdomain vs separate domain

by 9 replies
10
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.
#search engine optimization #domain #separate #subdomain
  • This sounds pretty bad ass, I would say go for it with what you have.
    • [1] reply
    • Rafael, thanks for your reply.

      Go with what, my friend? A or B?
      • [1] reply
  • I agree fully with paulgl.
    Is a webperson someone on the way to being a webmaster?
    Perhaps a learner?
    • [1] reply
    • 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.
  • 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!
    • [1] reply
    • Thanks, Turbo. A consensus seems to be forming. I've probably totally misunderstood previous advice. Thanks for contributing.
  • I'd prefer a subdomain. It really doesn't make any SEO difference.
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    subdomain vs separate domain

    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?