New site or subdomain?

[charpress]

I have to decide whether it is better to create a new site or set up what I want as a sub-domain. A sub-domain would cost less and be easier to administer: widget.com pointing to www.widget.company.com. I've read the posts here on the subject and I don't think I agree with some of the conclusions.

I am assuming there are advantages from a Google viewpoint in having a separate widget site with reciprocal links: widget<-->company. The content of both sites will be fairly different but still industry related.

The major question is: how would Google treat a sub-domain? Would it get the same ranking as the major site? I suspect not, but would Google see it as a separate entity? Others here feel that Google does treat it, in essence, as a different site.

Am I overlooking any advantages/disadvantages in going either way?

[heini]

A general thought before the details come up on the table:

It's entirely possible to achieve great results with both approaches. I think it depends on where you want to go with that.

Basically setting up additional content as subdomain is a good approach when you want to strengthen and grow the main site. It's a great strategy for large sites, built for to last. You can theme a large site very well by using subdomains, while at the same time strengthening the status as authority.

With seperate sites you have the advantage of being more flexible. You can set the sites up and promote them more indepentently. The sites could get developed in different directions, like when the second site sudenly becomes the more important site. Also that way you have more than one horse in the race.

[Yidaki]

With seperate sites you have the advantage of being more flexible. You can set the sites up and promote them more indepentently.

heini, same is true for sub domains since sub domains are (still) treated by google as seperate sites. I run my site themed via seven subdomains. All sub domain sites are independent. Indepentently promoted, listed at dmoz, yahoo, other portals and niche directories. Sub domains are ok as long as you don't over use them ... (yep, seven allready is a lot) ... and as long as you don't use them to cheat.

However, your branding may change the concept. If you don't depend on a global branding for your site(s) there's no need for sub domains.

[charpress]

I guess it's kind of a toss-up, from what I'm reading.

The main goal is to bring in more hits to the main site.

But, it is possible that the "new" site could take off on its own. If it did, being a sub-domain would be a problem.

Anyway, thanks for the input. I do feel better about the idea of using a sub-domain then I did. Still, on the whole, it probably doesn't matter that much which way I go.