Preferred domain

[jwdl]

In GWT it gives an option to do the following but which is best? and why?

If you specify your preferred domain as http://www.example.com and we find a link to http://example.com, we'll consider both links the same.

| <label for="no_assoc">Don't set a preferred domain</label> |
| <label for="use_www">Display URLs as ** www.example.com**</label> |
| <label for="use_nowww">Display URLs as example**.com **</label> |

[edwardrj]

Which is better? Personally, I prefer "www" URLs -- but this is just a personal preference. But either way, I do recommend setting a preferred URL within Google Webmaster Tools, as long as said URL matches the URL set as the default view for your site.

Some prefer non-www URLs because it saves character space in the URL.

[Keszi]

Hey Ian,

choosing the preferred domain depends mainly on one issue: are you going to use subdomains or not?

If not, then probably you can go with the non-www version (but then do not forget to use canonicals or 301 redirects the same way).

If you would like to use the subdomains also, then I would advice you to go with the www version.

Gr.,

Istvan

P.S. maybe somebody else thoughts are different, but this is how I make my decision, when to go for one or the other version.

[Valarlf]

I choose the www or without www depending on my users, in my case if the site is for seniors tend to use the www to be more classic, but if the site id for young people do not use www because It saves space  (@Edward R. Jenkins).

But overall there is not much difference, in many cases will be a matter of taste.

PS: Some people say that it looks more professional www.

[SEO5Team]

it also depends on what domain you have already done link building for. Choose the one that has more backlinks pointing to it.

[jwdl]

Thanks for replying.

It looks like it's better to set a preference one way or another but which way?

I won't be using subdomains. I don't need extra charactor space. I have always used www in the past (just in general not in relation to this) but newer browsers don't seem to need it so just example.com gets used increasingly.

Anyone care to vote? we have 1 each at the moment.

Ian

[Keszi]

if you wouldn't like to use subdomains, I would go for non-www.