Paranoia about subdomain penalty makes me change strategy

Best way to proceed... help please.

[Asia_Expat]

I have a site with 7 or 8 sub domains, all with their own country specific information. Due to the nature of my website, it is almost impossible to avoid multiple links between the subdomains and the main URL and what with all the stuff I've been reading about the risks of triggering a filter on Google, I can't stand it any more and I'm switching to directories... which is a real shame because subdomains were the best way to go. (Incidentally, there is no penalty currently in place on my domains... I'm just being cautious).

I need to know the best way to redirect, if at all. Should I set up 301's on the old subdomains to the new directory equivalents that replace them... Should I just let the bots find out for themselves... Or should I just immediately delete the subdomains completely and let my server issue 403 errors, which is surely the safest option?

Subdomains are a legitimate methods of organising my site.

[edited by: Woz at 1:23 am (utc) on Mar. 25, 2006]
[edit reason] TOS#4 [/edit]

[treeline]

If it's working, just do what's best for a real user. IF that's subdomains, stick with it. Just don't be obnoxious about it. Lots of successful sites use subdomains.

[tedster]

I second treeline's advice -- if it's working then don't change it. The big issue for Google is subdomains with little content, and even wildcard subdomains, being used to spam their search results. If 8 subdomains is the best way to go for you, all set up and currently successful, then don't borrow trouble.

[Asia_Expat]

Well, successfull is subjective. A couple of them produce page 1 results for target terms whereas others aren't even on the map.
Also, a couple of them only have a couple of pages content at this time as they are fringe countries for my target audience, such as Laos and Burma, plus I've not had time to write more pages... so, we come back to the question 'What is enough content?'

If my subdomains are on the cusp of penalty (for all I know, they could be miles off) I'm worried that an algo tweak could tip the balance.

[Asia_Expat]

Incidentally, all my domains are on the same server/IP

[glengara]

*..it is almost impossible to avoid multiple links between the subdomains and the main URL ..*

Subs are treated as separate domains so from a linkage POV each should have their own individual IBLs; problems generally occur when too much of the link juice is coming from within the network, avoid that and you should be OK.

[idolw]

just stop thinking about it.
subdomains are a good solution for website structure. I love them and do not care. I do link all my 6 subdomains on each page. we were doing it from the very beginning. if it works for you, why shall you be afraid?