Should I use subdomains?

[Gordon_Hall]

I'm thinking of a little project website, but wonder whether I should use subdomains, or just simply categorize the site.

For example, (I haven't chosen my domain yet) If I had www.flowers.com, and wanted to produce pages for each type of flower, should i use

rose.flower.com
or
flower.com/rose

For SEO purposes, or usability, does it matter?

Thanks in advance.

[simonberenyi]

Hi Gordon

Sub-domains in my experience are not the best way to dissect your content or your site with topics as varied as you are suggesting. The best method might be internal directories.

For Example: www.flower.com/roses/red.html and not  - roses.flower.com/red-roses.html

I tried using sub domains when I first started out, for my own business and duplicate content issues together with so much additional updating when major changes were required made it  a hassle that was not rewarded in ranking benefits.

I recently spent a month eliminating my sub-domains from search and found much more time available to focus on my main site. My rankings in local search flew to the top within a couple of weeks and organic rankings also benefited.

[Gordon_Hall]

Thanks Simon. That was generally my opinion, mostly based on the fact that the majority of websites do it the way you say, but I thought I'd ask the question before I embark on the project.

[EGOL]

I have been watching how google treats subdomains for a long time.

My conclusion is that Google can not make up their mind how to treat them.  Sometimes their power is united with the site.  Sometimes they are isolated.   When they are isolated all of the assets that you have placed on them have little value towards the success of your website.

So, if you want your web assets to consistently receive favorable treatment and pull in concert for your domain then they should all be placed in folders on the primary domain.

It is easy to be fooled by observing "how subdomains are being treated today" because google will likely change their mind tomorrow.

[GaryVictory]

Hi Gordon

Simon is certainly right.

Something else to consider...

If you considering building a site, I would certainly "first" get to work on designing a "site map" to help you clarify your site's purpose and goals. This is essential for both SEO and usability.

We did some content marketing recently for Red Funnel IoW Ferries and Red Funnel Holidays. You'll see we've split all of their content into a well organised site map. http://www.redfunnel.co.uk/information/sitemap/

You may already know this Gordon, but I wanted to point this out because  so many new businesses build a site which does not cover their "customer needs". A site map will give you a clear picture to expand your content for your targeted audience, as well as the SEO benefits.

[Gordon_Hall]

Thanks Gary. That's quite an extensive sitemap!

I'm not sure how much I had thought a sitemap through, but I certainly had a vague structure in mind, but you know how these "little projects" - they grow and grow into monsters!

[GaryVictory]

No problem Gordon. This is just me providing an example which can be modelled next to any project, however big or small.