Subdomains or Separate Domains?

...for categories in large, database driven website

[jwc2349]

Hey Guys:

I need some real expert help here. And this is by far the best source for it. So please give me your skillful guidance.

Thanks!

*****

We are in the final stages of building a large, database driven website that will have several categories. Due to its size, unique nature, and need for speed, each category will have its own separate database.

We would love to use subdomains for each category. For example, retail.domainname.com. Is the use of subdomains preferred for the best crawling, indexing, and ranking or should each category have its own unique domain name? Or does it matter?

[tedster]

You've just described what sounds like a good reason to use subdomains, in my opinion. Each subdomain would have a distinct purpose and focus, with lots of content of its own -- and yet they are all related to the core domain. It may also make maintenance easier for you. My only caution would be cross-linking. Think out well what your users will need and launch with that cross-linking in place, rather than adding it later on.

[jwc2349]

Tedster:

Thanks for your reply. I really appreciate it. Yours was the one I was wanting to get and you confirmed the appropriateness of the exact direction we are going.

The site is going to be Ajax-driven and use a lot of multi-media and cutting-edge stuff. It is ready to beta in a couple of weeks.

Thanks man!

[edited by: tedster at 5:40 pm (utc) on Aug. 8, 2007]