Now am trying to add a new section showcasing new celeb/event photographs as an addon to this portal. That will basically involve photos of celebs and description of where the party was and what happened, something on those lines. I plan to use wordpress news theme for this. My earlier plan was to have this as a subdomain to the existing portal something like http://parties.example.com
However i am a bit concerned about a couple of things. Since i am going to pay a sizable amount for these photos and news stories, getting hits from google into that section is critical. Yes i can leverage my existing hits at other areas of the website, but i would still need to attract newer userbase and that means getting ranked on google/yahoo. Here is where i am in a dilemma. Would i be in a better position with an independent domain for this or would a subdomain work? Even with a independent domain i can still cross advertise the site over my existing site sections. But that cohesive feel of being on the same site won't be there. However with a subdomain, one of the disadvantages i see is that since it makes the overall URL larger, people tend to forget the direct access URL. Then its more of a part of "the rest", something extra among other things. Plus i am worried(correct me here, not using any basis for this) that google tends to rank independent domains better than subdomain when both have similar content? So a independent blog catering just for this would rank higher than i would?
I am pretty confused right now on what to do. Any opinions and thoughts on the topic? Specifically can anyone allay(or confirm?) my fears about subdomans and ranking on google.
Thanks
[edited by: phranque at 8:51 am (utc) on Mar. 27, 2008]
[edit reason] examplified/unlinked url [/edit]
Subdomains have been used in the past to "game Google" so subdomains may be subject to either added algorithmic scrutiny or trust-ranking factors that - in order not to trip a filter or penalty - require a considered (informed by experience) execution. In other words, if you want the best advice on any SEO issue run some tests on your own (throw away/test domains/websites). IF you want the advantage of those tests then you may not be quick to publish those results, but that is up to you. (Notice Google never quite tells anyone how to outrank anyone else or how to rank for competitive terms?)
You may also run into what is currently called "passing the link juice" issues. You can read for more than a few hours about "link juice" and still be a bit in the vapors.
My version of building on bedrock is to disregard Google and to focus upon issues such as usability, clean and clear navigation, consistent logical taxonomy - which requires one to think ahead and plan for expansion/growth, etc.
In theory, a sub-domain "is" or "is as if it is" an entirely "new domain". Is the new material really "a new domain" - which suggests something entirely apart from what is going on on your root domain? If not then "good design" considerations may suggest simply adding a new directory/sub-directory to the architecture of the website.
This is just one man's opinion.
[edited by: Webwork at 11:25 pm (utc) on Mar. 27, 2008]
Even with a independent domain i can still cross advertise the site over my existing site sections. But that cohesive feel of being on the same site won't be there.
I read what you're saying however do you honestly believe that the majority of users even notice a change in URL?
My experience says no and so long as they find what they are looking for they do not care a jot.
If you brand it correctly the change of URL may never be noticed if you want to take that route.
