sub domains versus seperate domains

[AffiliateDreamer]

Is it better to have a completely seperate domain for a website or to have one main domain, with sub-domains for each website.

Consider the following real life site:

www.example.com

example.example.com

All attempts at just example.com are redirected to example.example.com, same holds for all the other websites in their network.

This to me is a clean design, and it brands the main domain example.

In terms of SEO, does it matter which method you take?

[edited by: pageoneresults at 2:53 am (utc) on Dec. 15, 2003]
[edit reason] Removed Specifics [/edit]

[layer8]

Hi,

Google spokeswomen in a conference last week stated it is best to use one domain and build mini sites within.

This to me is refering to sub domains being better for SEO.

[AffiliateDreamer]

yeah I just read that a while ago also, but someone mentioned that she was just a representative and "what do they know about the algo"? hehe

I also heard they are having issues with so many pages, and the less pages/domains they have to worry about the better.

so not sure how to understand this in light of my question, guess its too early to say after the florida update huh?

[aphido]

Hi guys

New to board, bear with me. Having used subdomains as a technique across several URL's I've found that Google seems to treat them kindly- listing them on every occasion. All were not exactly sub-sites, but had similair content to main URL with some added specific content- seems to work, and beefs up your presence in the listings.

[AffiliateDreamer]

So you think google is actually preferring sub-domains?

[Imaster]

so far my experience with subdomains have been very positive.

[adfree]

Same here, no probs with subdomains, although I would suggest to use them for special density and off topic or accompanying themes, never for similar content.
Jens

[dirkz]

> Is it better to have a completely seperate domain for a website or to have one main domain, with sub-domains for each website.

Shouldn't make any difference. Look at Amazon.com