subdomains vs directory name

[joker197cinque]

Which approach is better (and faster to index) in a new site a structure:

- www.domain.com/widgets/red.html

- widgets.domain.com/red.html

According to me the first is very clear but perhaps too long. The second is more compact.

Thank you.

[rkhare]

even i am trying to figure out pros and cons of two ......... currently i am using the directory route, but am planning to go the subdomain. still not sure, any help?

[annej]

I wonder if it makes any difference. I went the directory route a few years ago and have been perfectly happy with it. As the site evolved the homepage of one of the directories is now the busiest page. It ranks very well with both Google and MSN on a good single word search.

When I look at the top 10 results 3 are the homepage of a subdirectory while the rest are the root homepage. I think the pages are ranking on thier own merit and not if they are in a directory or subdomain.

[jrs_66]

From my experience, subdomains get PR assigned as an independent site... could crosslink quite nicely... but be carefull that the site your doing this with has some age behind it, otherwise you'll get burnt just as you would for cross link many new domains... adding them slowly works well...

[sunny_kat]

The first one ( Directory Mode ) would be better as it is considered as an internal part of any website.

The subdomain is considered as a separate domain for all

Thoughts

[glengara]

In view of their current popularity with spammers, I'd avoid subs for the moment....

[glengara]

In view of their current popularity with spammers, I'd avoid subs for the moment....

[dedmond29]

I feel it depends on the content. If widgets.domain.com could stand on its own under any other circumstances, I think it makes sense to use the sub domain. If not, then I stay with the traditional directory structure. Just my 2 cents