Expanding single or going for multipe domains?

need advice

[zoobie]

I have 5 individual sites with related content. Each site is 7 pages. Should I use a host that allows multiple domains and buy a domain for each or should I just lump them together under one domain/site?

Advantages? Disadvantages?

Thanks

[edited by: zoobie at 12:27 am (utc) on Feb. 11, 2003]

[Birdman]

I would have to say one domain per, but you will have to spend that much more time optimising and promoting. If they are related, you could strategically interlink(without going overboard) them and it could be very beneficial.

Birdman

[TWhalen]

Check out my reply in this topic:
[webmasterworld.com...]

We discussed this very thing.

[heini]

Hard to give a general answer IMO. It depends on so many things, like how closely related the stuff is, if theming would be an option allowing for targeting all keywords in one (pyramidical) concept. Also the competitiveness of the terms. Which of the options is more promising?
A very important factor is the overall strategy you prefer:
One huge well branded site built for long term growth or a bunch of sites which might easily be abandoned, which might be developed into differnt entities etc.

So IMO part one is evaluation of the possibilities both options give. Part two is trying to envision the site/s in say two years time. Where do you want to go with that?
No, I don't think there's a general answer.

[zoobie]

Yes...I happened to read that link. I've asked this question before without getting a black and white answer. I guess I'll try lumping them into one domain initially and see what happens being as it's cheaper, too. Then, if they fly, consider buying domains for each. No sense in wasting $...

...unless someone has additional information.

[webwoman]

6 months ago I started a new domain for one specific product that my company sells. This product is also promoted on the "main site" but the purpose of the second site was to target a very specific public with this specific product. It has been very successful for us. The leads and sales on the product have tripled. I am a fan of additional sites when you are trying to focus on one product, one public. It is a *lot* of extra work and maintenance - so if you don't have something very focused and different to say on the second site, save yourself the trouble.

-webwoman