Multiple domain SEO strategy

[rikmon]

Hi Mozzers

I'm an AM at a web dev.  We're building a new site for a client who sells paint to different markets:

Paint for boats

Paint for construction industry

Paint for, well you get the idea!

Would we be better off setting up separate domains - boatpaintxxx.com, housepaintxxx.com, etc - and treat each as a searate microsites for standalone SEO activity or have them as individual pages/sub doms from a single domain - paints4all.com or something?

From what i've read today, including the excellent Beginners Guide - I'm guessing there's no definitive answer!

Feedback appreciated!

Thanks.

[edwardrj]

The only benefit here would be a keyword-related domain name for each industry; however, as Google has made clear in recent history, this matters less and less.

The major downside would be having four or five sites to build up and promote to rank versus only having one.

While others may disagree, I feel your efforts will be better served concentrating on one site.

[SEO5Team]

i agree with Edward as well. With Google cracking down on exact match domains , you would be better off focusing your efforts on building all the keyword related content on one portal related to that industry. You can have a resources section on the site and write good content on the different topics and over time establish your site as a credible repository of information.

[VirginiaC]

yup, agree with Edward and SEO5. EMD cannot be relied upon. Add the content and pages as sub-pages. SEO those pages and link througout the site to these pages. No need for separate domains.

[WilliamCarr]

I recommend using only one domain. You'll have much less setup, maintenance, ongoing SEO work with 1 site compared to 3.

I would just use different sections for the different kinds of paints/markets.

[EGOL]

People who buy one type of paint likely buy other types of paint - and need brushes and dropcloths too.

If you have all of the products on one domain there can be lots of cross selling.

And if you have one big site instead of ten hotdog stands you will have greater credibility, a stronger brand and become the "GO-TO Place" for paints of all kinds as well as painting supplies.

This is a nobrainer.

[JML1179]

Do you already own an EMD? It's worth considering how good the EMD is and if the site owner is going to use PPC advertising. I can say with absolute certainty that people can talk about Google's crack down on EMD's all day to dissuade you; however, I own a lot of EMD's in the real estate industry. My click through rate is great with them.

If you aren't working for one of the big names in paint (sherwin williams, Benjamin Moore, Behr) then you are not going to get the "recognition" in the paid per click area. You can get recognition for an EMD though.

Just my two cents- It's good to consider all things. I personally operate a site that encompasses all of north west florida, but I do have domains that target neighborhoods that don't rank over my main domain. I simply have better returns on adwords with those domains.

[rikmon]

Thanks for your feedback everyone, much appreciated.  May even print out this page and take to the next client meeting to validate our suggestion!!!

[Niamh2]

I have a similar query from a client and I am wondering if the way ahead is to use the domain names as sub domains and give a different look to the niche sections (using Wordpress btw) and list all on the sitemap. That is possible? Advisable?

[EGOL]

I would place them in folders rather than subdomains.    This is because subdomains are not treated as well in the SERPs as folders.