Is this a Risky Blog Move?

[Caro-O]

I have a client who's thinking of placing their blog on a separate domain because the plug-ins and various other functionality is becoming bulky and slowing things down for the main site.

There will be a 'Blog' link on the company's website navigation, just as there is now, that will take people to the blog.

As an SEO person, this seems like a bad idea, even if we set up 301s from all the old posts to all the new ones.

In my research I came across these two points:

1. All backlinks to blog posts contribute directly to a website’s OVERALL SEO strength because those backlinks are pointing to your main domain.  Removing them may reduce overall link juice to the site.
2. Simply having fewer content pages on the site will cause entire site to rank lower because Google loves content-rich authority sites.

Does anyone know this to be true for sure?

Thanks,
~Caro

[Andy-Halliday]

Yes this is a bad idea, you want the blog on the main domain.

You could put a wordpress blog within a folder on your server and just use one instance of wordpress for the blog away from the main site.

It does require a bit of set up, but it would be much better than having a blog on a different url (does require keeping it up to date etc, users having two logins. One of the main site and one for the blog) - it's not an ideal solution but much better than having the blog on a separate domain.

[EGOL]

As an SEO person, this seems like a bad idea, even if we set up 301s from all the old posts to all the new ones.

I agree.  Absolutely.

I would solve the problems with the blog.

In battle of all kinds across history "divide and conquer" has been a winning strategy.  This is also true on the web.  By splitting your site you divide its strength and help the competitors.   The site's linkjuice is split, its linking root domains are split, its keyword reach is reduced, the ability of visitors to the main site to see the genius on the blog is reduced, the ability of visitors to the blog to convert on the site is reduced.  It does not matter if the main site is in the persistent navigation of the blog, the visitors are not as aware of the main site and google is counting their assets separately.

The only exception to the above is if the content on the blog is low quality or infringing or duplicated from other sites.  Then that content should be cut from the site or improved.

Your #1 is true.

Your #2 depends upon content quality.

[Caro-O]

Thanks Egol,

Their site content is definitely good, so we're looking good on that front

Thanks for your feedback.