Are Subdomains better or SubDirectories better for an international website ?

[Tushar_P]

Can anyone explain why the structure of your website: yourbrand.com/es/category is better than es.yourbrand.com for multi language and multi country website.

[LesleyPaone]

When you use a sub domain search engines see it as a separate domain, so it is harder to build up authority for multiple sub domains as opposed to just using sub directories. I would go with sub directories if I were you. But, depending on how big the brand is I would look at ccTlD's too.

[RobertFisher]

Tushar,

As to your question why sub-directory being better, it isn't per se.

It depends on your abilities/resources re - server location, multi-sites, languages, etc. There is no one answer fits all. WMT is very clear as to plusses and minuses (one of the things I feel it is most clear about). Are you going to have a single server or do you have ability to have multi servers (one per country)? Multi servers can be used with sub domains but not with sub directories, etc.

Here is from WMT: Mulit Lang/ Multi Country

[Tushar_P]

Hi Robert,

Thank you for taking the time and helping me. I actually have a single server and the entire website is to be hosted from a single dedicated IP. I believe having multiple sub directories for various countries in this case is more preferable.

Thanks

[Tushar_P]

Hi,

I totally agree with the fact that it difficult to build up authority for multiple sub domains as for sub directories. But as of now the website is to be operated from a single TLD. Thank for the answer cheers!