Subdomains or Subfolders - which one is better?

Ben Newman · Sep 28, 2018

I want to setup a service section for my main site but I don't know which is better to create, a subdomain or a subfolder? which one get better benefits from SEO aspect and for users?

What i am going to create is: service.example.com and example.com/service/

Any thoughts?

hostens · Sep 29, 2018

Most of the search engines would agree that there is no difference: SEO depends on the indexes, keywords used on each page. However, if the main domain is already highly ranked, the subfolder will be seen as part of that website, while the subdomain will be seen as a new domain and may take more time and effort to get SEO right.

If the "service" you are going to provide on that page is totally different from the main domain, then it would be recommended to go with the subdomain. If the service is directly linked with the website, you can go with the subfolder.

Bryan McClure · Sep 29, 2018

I have read a few articles about choosing a subdomain or a sub folder then some gave their experience that sub folder gave better results with search engines and they get good and higher traffic when moving from a sub domain to a sub folder. Not sure which one you will choose but I and tending to use sub folder if I have a chance on my site.

rodrigue · Sep 29, 2018

Concerning your point, google refers either the subdomain or the subfolder the same way. But I can suggest to use subdomain. This depends of what you want run on that subfolder or subdomain.

Dr. McKay · Sep 29, 2018

rodrigue said:
But I can suggest to use subdomain.

I am just curious why you suggest using subdomain?

rodrigue said:
This depends of what you want run on that subfolder or subdomain.

When using a subfolder and when using a sub domain?

rodrigue · Sep 29, 2018

Let's take this example:
You have a domain name already. And you have unlimited subdomain you can have. Then you want to run an application (different from your website). And your application listen to ports 80 and 443. And you want people to connect to your application. It will be better for you to have it on a subdomain.
Now concerning subfolder, if there is a direct interaction with your main website.

ForwardWeb - Branden · Sep 30, 2018

Subdomains are often used for forums or image galleries as well as for sites that have country or language specific pages simply because it is cleaner looking sub folders can get messy depending on what the application requires ect

bountysite · Oct 1, 2018

We all know that Google likes contents. More unique content, the better. If the contents are relevant to the main website, then create subfolders. If it is portal/forum then subdomain might be a better choice.

Collabora · Oct 2, 2018

a subdomain pointed to a subfolder, or another parent folder

Subdomains or Subfolders - which one is better?

Ben Newman

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