Google and subdomains.

thick mick · #1 (**permalink**) 07-27-2005, 10:10 AM

How would google view subdomains, eg. novascotia.webproworld.com against the current site, where the content would be different (more regional), but the templates would be very similar?

Would it be viewed at all?

What would be the best way to approach such situations/scenarios, with regard to the search engines?
I have no working samples at the moment but would love to know before hand. That is, regional versions of a global product.

Mick

dburdon · #2 (**permalink**) 07-27-2005, 02:26 PM

Mick,

I'm assuming that the mother domain i.e. this example "webproworld" has some search engine equity. Therefore, rather the make the URL novascotia.webproworld.com you'd be better off going for webproworld.com/novascotia. At the same time make sure you've got your internal linking in place.

thick mick · #3 (**permalink**) 07-27-2005, 03:24 PM

So is there any benefit at all to using subdomains in the context that I mentioned?
I read somewhere that I.P. location is deemed imortant to some engines, in a regional context.
Example; if someone was to type "web pro novascotia" into a search box, would the location of the ip address be important?
Or would it better to use other domains associated with/located at, novascotia?

minstrel · #4 (**permalink**) 07-27-2005, 10:57 PM

See
Folders vs. Subdomains
By Catherine Parker, Quirk Marketing
article at Highrankings.com

dburdon · #5 (**permalink**) 07-28-2005, 07:07 AM

Minstrel,

a nice article. Well recommended. Although I'm not sure I agree with everything I saw on the site.

thick mick · #6 (**permalink**) 07-28-2005, 08:36 AM

Thanks,
I read the article and understand the branding elements of subdomains, but is it true that subdomains are treated separetely?

Ebay and its decision to regionalize recently, decided not to use subdomains, though they're well branded anyway, but use regional domains, eg www.ebay.co.uk . Does this strategy have an I.P./search engine advantage within that region?

What I mean is that ebay.co.uk still had to be built as a new site, in much the same way that Catherine suggested that subdomains need to be.
So why wouldn't ebay "stick" on a new folder, say UK or something?

Or perhaps it was sold as a franchise?

minstrel · #7 (**permalink**) 07-28-2005, 08:40 AM

Quote:

is it true that subdomains are treated separetely?

For most purposes, including PR, yes.

Quote:

Ebay and its decision to regionalize recently, decided not to use subdomains, though they're well branded anyway, but use regional domains, eg www.ebay.co.uk . Does this strategy have an I.P./search engine advantage within that region?

Yes it does. To rank well in a regional Google, you need to EITHER (1) have an appropriate regional domain name (in this case .co.uk) OR (2) have the site hosted in the appropriate region (in this case the UK).

thick mick · #8 (**permalink**) 07-28-2005, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by minstrel

Quote:

is it true that subdomains are treated separetely?

For most purposes, including PR, yes.

Quote:

Ebay and its decision to regionalize recently, decided not to use subdomains, though they're well branded anyway, but use regional domains, eg www.ebay.co.uk . Does this strategy have an I.P./search engine advantage within that region?

Yes it does. To rank well in a regional Google, you need to EITHER (1) have an appropriate regional domain name (in this case .co.uk) OR (2) have the site hosted in the appropriate region (in this case the UK).

Thank you Minstrel for the clarification.

seamus · #9 (**permalink**) 07-29-2005, 08:31 AM

That's interesting.

seamus · #10 (**permalink**) 07-29-2005, 08:45 AM

Microsoft seems to use both folders and subs.

This is a subdomain, is it not? http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/

I don't really know why though.

wrmineo · #11 (**permalink**) 07-29-2005, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by minstrel

See
Folders vs. Subdomains
By Catherine Parker, Quirk Marketing
article at Highrankings.com

Awesome resource minstrel - thanks for posting and sharing.

Over the past year, I have experimented with both directories (subfolders) and subdomains. As the author states, all sites are different. But, for me, subdomains have proven very beneficial with the ability to diversify keyword markteting and capturing visitors I honestly don't think I would have with directories.

I guess the BLUF (bottom line up front) for me, would be: Can this content stand on its own? Is it complimentary of the main site or, if available, could it be a whole other site? If I can answer yes to both of those questions (unique content and stand alone site), it's a subdomain and not a directory that I build.

Good Luck and Happy Ranking!
w®m

ConsiderThis · #12 (**permalink**) 07-29-2005, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seamus

Microsoft seems to use both folders and subs.

This is a subdomain, is it not? http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/

I don't really know why though.

So does Yahoo! though I won't put an example here.

I think the Vs.link was very good.

For me, when I want there to be an immediacy with a part of my site, I like the subdomain -- that way the words are up front, not at the end of a string:
http://London.health-boundaries-bite.com

vs.

http://www.health-boundaries-bite.com/London

Also, using subdomain's reduces the number of pages I have when I want to look at relevant stats (though I suppose folders do the same thing.)