sub domains and sub directories

which is better for SEO

[jsherrod]

Hi all,

I'm new to this particular forum but I did meet some of you at the SEO conference in San Jose recently. After running a search on 'sub domains' in webmasterworld, the threads returned have been closed. my apologizes if there is a thread already addressing this topic.

My question is regarding the advantages/disadvantages of using sub domains and how they are indexed in search engines. In theory, it would seem that sub directories, as opposed to sub domains, are just pages at a lower level than the home page and would not seem as important and would not achieve a high ranking. Sub domains, I would think, offer what would be seen as multiple index pages that would be indexed separately. Anyone have advice about utilizing sub domains? Any pitfalls to watch out for?

many thanks,

John

[engine]

Welcome to WebmasterWorld [webmasterworld.com]

Sub domains will appear to be like new domains whereas subdirectories will play a part in the domain you're trying to optimise.

[grandpa]

I think this answers the question I was asking myself. On a single domain I have a retail site, and a sub directory with my wholesale pages.

My wholesale site can hardly be found on any SE.

The question that poses for me now, should I bother to continue promoting the /site/sub-directory/wholesale site or focus on my retail site more.

Thanks