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Add on domains vs. sub domains. vs. ?

by jchance
10 replies
  • SEO
    • |
Hello everyone. I have a question and hope I can ask in a way that makes sense. My understanding of domain names is that the more specific you can be about your content and site, the better you are likely to do in SEO.

I'm creating a site that will have one main generic domain name and several "categories". Ex: Main site would be "cars.com" and the categories would be "buick", "honda", "Chevrolet", etc. (cars is for example purposes only)

Now, for purposes of seo and to target people looking for specific categories when they search, I would get domain names for each category. Something like "buick_in_(city).com", "honda_in_(city).com", etc. and direct these domains to the main page of each category.

So I'm trying to figure out the best way to do this. To use sub domains or add ons or should I create indiviual websites for each category or what? Would one way or the other help, hurt or be indifferent to the rankings, etc.? Thoughts?
#add #domains
  • Profile picture of the author ilee
    Why not build one massive site with everything on, but split the different sections into separate areas of the site. Look into silo site structures. It's a lot easier ranking with a large site (with authority) than tons of smaller sites.

    If you're adamant about having it in a separate place, I suggest you go with subdomains just to help you brand the website more. Also, it's better to go for a brandable domain name rather than an "SEO domain" name
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    • Profile picture of the author jchance
      Originally Posted by ichl13 View Post

      Why not build one massive site with everything on, but split the different sections into separate areas of the site. Look into silo site structures. It's a lot easier ranking with a large site (with authority) than tons of smaller sites.

      If you're adamant about having it in a separate place, I suggest you go with subdomains just to help you brand the website more. Also, it's better to go for a brandable domain name rather than an "SEO domain" name
      Having one site with everything on it split into different sections is what I was trying to convey, with the addition of having more specific domain names pointed at each individual section.

      My thought process being that it might help people when they use more specific terms in search engines. For instance, someone looking to buy a car might be more likely to search for a specific make in a specific city to narrow their search, and having a domain name with the brand of vehicle and city in the domain name might have a better chance of being easier to find (ranked higher?) for the people searching while only having to pay for one hosting account.

      I guess I am trying to get advice on if that is a viable plan and if not, try and understand why not. Would it help or hurt my site when people are searching?

      Also, when approaching potential clients to sell ads, would it not be better to be able to promote a more specific domain that targets people specifically interested in what they are offering? Ex: It would be more appealing to a buick dealer to have their ads on a targeted domain name like "buick_in_(city).com.
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  • Profile picture of the author paulgl
    Originally Posted by jchance View Post

    Hello everyone. I have a question and hope I can ask in a way that makes sense. My understanding of domain names is that the more specific you can be about your content and site, the better you are likely to do in SEO.
    If that's true, then why are you posting in an internet marketing forum
    called warriorforum.com ?!!?!

    Do you go to amazon.com to learn about the amazon?

    The average person should shy away from subdomains, but use
    sub pages/folders instead. Like the warriorforum does:
    warriorforum.com/adsense-ppc-seo-discussion-forum

    Paul
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    • Profile picture of the author jchance
      Originally Posted by paulgl View Post

      If that's true, then why are you posting in an internet marketing forum
      called warriorforum.com ?!!?!

      Do you go to amazon.com to learn about the amazon?
      I don't understand the comment. Perhaps I was not as clear as I had hoped to be?

      I came on this forum asking for advice about internet marketing and seo. I guess I don't understand how that isn't what this site is about.

      I apologize if I wasn't as clear as i had hoped to be.


      What is the reason for shying away from sub domains and using sub folders?
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  • Profile picture of the author luhur99
    Yes agree with paul , now google like brand domain , so you can put all topic on one themes , make sure you organize your content and treat your on page seo that will help


    Luhur
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  • Profile picture of the author C Rebecca
    I would rather suggest you to have sub domains. Sub domains are easy to maintain and segregate.
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  • Profile picture of the author dotgirish
    subdomains 'yourdomain.com/your-category ' is what I would suggest you. its good for seo too..
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  • Profile picture of the author Derrick H
    I would do subdomains as well not too many though, its easier to create them as sub pages inside your of site.

    You could try EMD domains but that might be a waste of money especially after the slew of Google Updates from 2012.

    Good luck either way
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    • Profile picture of the author gamez4you
      See Matt Cutts tweet regarding the domain name :



      I know it's not EXACTLY what you were asking, but just to reflect that domain names are not that important anymore.
      Having said that, I also suggest you go with sub-domains to strength your branding and reliability, for your users and Google as well.
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