Sub-domain listings

[Red_Tractor]

I have a client with a number of key product areas on their site that would benefit from individual listings on Yahoo and the like.

I'd like to suggest we set-up sub-domains for each of the product areas and express submit them to the relevant yahoo category - has anyone done this before, is it possible?

Also will submitting sub-domains to search engines result in listings for each of the products - do I need to put in spider blocks on the irrelevant sections of the site to improve the theme and ranking?

Thx

[engine]

Hi Red_Tractor and welcome to WebmasterWorld

Wow, a lot of questions all at once.

As far as Yahoo is concerned, you'll only get one listing, unless they are separate website. Full detials are here [uk.docs.yahoo.com...]

>sub-domains to search engines result in listings for each of the products - do I need to put in spider blocks on the irrelevant sections of the site to improve the theme and ranking?

The Theme will be built up based upon the overall site and the incomming links.

This thread should give you some pointers [webmasterworld.com...]

[Red_Tractor]

I hear what you're saying - but surely if a client has a number of clearly separate products/services then they should be able to be listed in seaparet categories?

Otherwise what are my options - registering new domains, having 5-10 pages each, with each page optimised for a specific keyword phrase and submitting the index domain to yahoo?

Surely sub-domains are a viable method of separating key site areas and getting them listed as such.

Also, if I were to submit sub-domains to search engines, and a keyword was serached for. Would my sub-domain optimised for that keyword appear or would the top level domain be listed?

Sorry for all the questions but I've really got to get a complete understanding before I begin on this project.

LOL

[markd]

I can only say from bitter experience that Yahoo and other directories make the rules and we have to abide by them - even if you feel that your client deserves multiple listings.

With regard to creating 'smaller websites' - Yahoo (and many other directories) will probably reject them for not having 'substantial' content. With the cost of Yahoo Express Reviews, I would warn against this.

What you could do, which would have an impact on the SE's rather than 'directories', is to create an individual page for each product optimised to the algo of each engine and submit these pages. You should also consider cross-linking these individual 'product pages' to other product pages that you create for this purpose and also to your general site pages.

Again a word to the wise, ensure that each of these specially created product pages DOES contain genuinely 'unique' (ie. different) information on each product, rather than the difference being a few words here and there - in this way you will avoid the classic 'doorway page' syndrome. Remember, even if your pages are 'found' the searcher won't go any further if the information is not of use to them.

Can't comment on sub-domains as I've never used them in SEO.

Hope this helps a bit!