New page or link to new site?

What's the best way to launch a new topic on a site?

[Variable]

I'm wondering what everyone's thoughts are on what the best way to launch new content is.

I have an authority site A that covers topic A. I want to create content for a completely unrelated topic B.

If I want the content for topic B to place well, should I create the content on the the authority site A and link to it from the homepage of site A or should I create the content on a brand new domain B and link to it from the homepage of site A?

[Quadrille]

There's absolutely no doubt that you'll do much, much better putting the new content on the strong existing site; the content will get all the ranking the site can offer, rather than the possible benefit of a non-related link from one site to another.

That's ON the site, not a subdomain. A subdomain, to most SEs is treated exactly like a separate site - so you'd not have a 'proper' site, or the benefits of the 'parent'. Just the disadvantages of being a subdomain.

On the other hand, you do need to think long term, and you need to consider human frailty: Will this 'off topic' stuff confuse or upset your visitors, and will having this strange double site be limited in any way?

Personally, if the topic really is that different, I'd forget the authority site, and build a new site for the new stuff. End of.

[peterdaly]

I've recently gone through this. I have a primary site that has become a rather untarget mess due to adding on pages like this. Three months ago I started a new site focused on one of the topics. (I didn't bring any content over, but I did add a couple of links where appropriate.)

At this point I'm very glad I started the new targeted site. I am sure that long term I'm in a much better position having started this new site. It has about 25 pages and I keep adding to it. It's high enough quality and a small enough niche that I've been able to snag some authority site links in the past couple weeks. These links are currently giving me more traffic than google. These links would have been almost impossible from "tacked on" pages on my other site.

Why are you creating the page?

Do you know enough about the new topic to create a dedicated site over time? Is it a topic you are willing to dedicate resources to? Start a new site.

Right now I don't think Google's very friendly to off-topic pages on a site. May work short term, but I think it harms both your core site and your new page in GoogleBot's eyes. That of course is speculation on my part, but I'm sure at least some people here would agree.

[Jordo needs a drink]

Right now I don't think Google's very friendly to off-topic pages on a site. May work short term, but I think it harms both your core site and your new page in GoogleBot's eyes. That of course is speculation on my part, but I'm sure at least some people here would agree.

I feel it does somewhat harm the existing site, but IMO, it helps the new content. There's no sandbox effect for the new content.

I'd still make a new site, though.

[Variable]

Thank you for your replies guys. They are very helpful.

It would be kinda like what any large successful site has. The topic is completely unrelated, but it certainly would not confuse the users. The Finance section of Yahoo has nothing to do with the other sections there, but it also doesn't confuse people.

So I'm not worried about my user experience being degraded. I'm concerned only with which way is better for SE placement.

[mcskoufis]

I agree with what the guys say above but in the long run, my opinion is that 2 sites is better than 2 sub-sections... As long as it is worth going to a new site.