Subdomains Vs Directories

which is better? Subdomains Vs directories

[kunwarbs]

I have a big site with 5K+ pages and would be reorganizing the site. Is it better to have linked them through directories or subdomains?

eg:
[mycategory1.example.com...]
http://example.com/mycategory1/

How will this affect the interlinking/PR of my site, if any....

[dimensioni]

Sub-domains will be treated as separate website by SEs. Where as Directories will still be part of a site and will get passed on PR from the home page, which is NOT the case with sub-domains as these are separate from the site.

But sub-domains will be easy to promote.

[topr8]

>>Where as Directories will still be part of a site and will get passed on PR from the home page, which is NOT the case with sub-domains as these are separate from the site.

sorry totally wrong, PR is passed by links either internal or outbound, so if there is a link to the sub-domain pr is passed.

personally i'd go just for directories myself, i think loads of subdomains is a bit spammy unless the site is huge, i don't think 5000 pages is huge - although it is large of course

[harry_wales]

I'd go for directories too...

If you get your directory structure right you can boost your rankings, by using your directory structure to create "descriptive" URL's that help the SE's "categorise" your site.

i.e.

mysite.com/automotive/parts/tyres/index.php

is far more descriptive to a SE than mysite.com/tyres.php

[idolw]

mass links exchange is easier with subdomains.
new directories shall be quicker in the SERPs.
i would go for subdomains for a few most important categories of my widgets and create directories on each one.

[dimensioni]

with directories, you have a limit upto which SEs will crawl.

So, for a huge site Sub-domain can be the solution.

[amol_v_naik]

As per the size of your site, I think you must have a 50/50 approach, that is break the content into relevant categories and subcategories, where the important categories would be Sub-domains and niche categories as directories. I guess this will solve your problem. I would like to here some more suggestions…..