Adding Wordpress On Separate Server w/ subdomain = SEO Issues?
-
I have a client that wants to setup wordpress for their business site. However, they are really concerned about the load time a wordpress install creates on their site in the root. So, they want to setup wordpress with a sub-domain on a separate server. For example:
As far as SEO is concerned with the main site, what are the advantages and disadvantages for using a separate server w/ subdomain?
-
I would be jumping to a new host right away!
-
I'm trying to decide the exact same thing - but less because of performance and more because our server cannot handle the most updated version of wordpress.
I would classify that as a performance issue. WordPress is the world's most popular CMS. Most hosting companies offer an auto-install package for the latest major version of WP. When you say your server "can't handle" WP, I presume it requires an update of PHP to meet the minimum requirements. If that is the case simply ask your host to update the server.
I am not aware of any major host who's server hardware cannot easily handle WordPress. If the software can't handle the latest version, it is usually a very fast, simple and free to update to the latest software versions required for WP. In the unlikely event your host is not willing to comply, change hosts.
-
I'm trying to decide the exact same thing - but less because of performance and more because our server cannot handle the most updated version of wordpress. It seems like keeping the blog on the main domain is best for SEO. Better for gathering incoming links, ect.
Are there any benefits at all to keeping the blog on a subdomain?
-
With respect to the performance issue, it comes down to a few possibilities:
-
something went wrong in the installation process
-
an independent issue arose with your server or host whose timing coincided with the WordPress install
-
there is an issue with the server itself which needs to be fixed
I would suggest troubleshooting the issue, determine the root cause and fix it rather then giving up on the idea.
To respond to your primary question, I first need to emphasize that whether you decide to locate the sub-domain on a separate server or the same server is completely irrelevant to SEO.
The subdomain would be it's own independent site. The main site would not benefit from links to the subdomain.
-
-
I would get a new host.
-
Thanks for responding. The client placed the WP blog on a test site within the same server and witnessed poor performance with the rest of the site. So, their concern is that will also happen with the main site.
The content on the blog most likely won't be considered 'high-value'. However, I want to make sure that the main site (root) will improve domain authority from inbound links to the blog.
In your opinion, will the inbound links to the blog help the domain authority of the main (root) site if the blog is in a subdomain on a separate server?
-
Thanks for the quick response.
The client has set up a wordpress install in a subfolder on a test site within the server. They noticed a fairly significant delay in load times with the rest of the test site.....that is their primary issue.
I guess my primary question is, will the main site (root) improve domain authority from inbound links to the blog if the blog is set up in a subdomain on a separate server?
-
With respect to SEO, the physical server involved makes no difference. I am making basic assumptions such as the other server is with the same host, does not have any major performance issues, etc.
In general you have the following advantages / disadvantages to consider when deciding whether to go with a subdomain vs a folder on your primary domain:
-
Any acquired links add value to your primary domain
-
Your blog would benefit from your primary domain's current Domain Authority
-
cookies and other data can be passed much easier within your current domain
-
many licenses apply on a domain basis and extra fees or licenses may be required for the subdomain
-
will this blog be used to cover topics directly related to the business? If so it would make more sense to have it on the primary domain. If this blog will cover personal topics or may branch into areas not related to the business, it would make more sense to separate it from the business site.
Wordpress can be installed in it's own directory so it's URL would be domain.com/blog. What specific performance concerns does your client have? It sounds like he may have had a bad experience once, or have heard some information that may not apply to his current situation. A properly configured wordpress install should not lead to load time issues for his existing site.
Further reading on the topic: http://www.seomoz.org/blog/understanding-root-domains-subdomains-vs-subfolders-microsites
-
-
If the wordpress site is going to be used for low-value content then a subdomain is probably OK. However, if the wordpress site will contain high value content that has the potential of attracting links then I would not place it in a subdomain. The reason: if the high value content is in a folder then the links into it will give strong benefit to the entire site, but if it is on a subdomain then those links will be of very little benefit to the main site.
If this was my site I would try two things.... First, I would place the WP blog in a folder and see exactly how it performs. You might be surprised. Second, if that does not work I would look for higher quality hosting.
Another thought... if the wordpress blog is not performing well there might be problems with the code or problems with the amount of processing that the host will allow. Wordpress blogs generally work well. Hosts are sometimes known to throttle processing.
I have a wordpress blog in a folder of my site. It is a very busy blog with thousands of posts and lots of traffic. Thousands of visitors per day. No issues in five years.
Got a burning SEO question?
Subscribe to Moz Pro to gain full access to Q&A, answer questions, and ask your own.
Browse Questions
Explore more categories
-
Moz Tools
Chat with the community about the Moz tools.
-
SEO Tactics
Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers
-
Community
Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!
-
Digital Marketing
Chat about tactics outside of SEO
-
Research & Trends
Dive into research and trends in the search industry.
-
Support
Connect on product support and feature requests.
Related Questions
-
Redirecting issue
Please I have a domain name miaroseworld.com I redirected (301 redirect) it to one of my domain names and I am having issues with the website so I decided to redirect to to my new site but moz is still showing redirecty to the previous websites
Technical SEO | | UniversalBlog
Even when I change the redirect on search console it still showing redirecting to the previous site.0 -
Targeting by IP Address... SEO Issues?
I'm setting up a site to display a different site header graphic depending on which U.S. State the IP address is coming from. In theory we may end up doing 50 different images, although we'll probably start with 4 or 5 and then the other states will get a "default". How will the SE's treat this... if it's just an image change, but the text on the page is the same, will it affect anything? Any best practice advice out there? thanks!
Technical SEO | | JMagary0 -
Can Not Save the SEO Settings on Attachement/Media Page
I am trying to save SEO settings to a wordpress gallery attachment page for a picture. When I fill up all info and hit save all the writing disappear from from the form. Is it a software bug or there is a solution for it??
Technical SEO | | ExpertSolutions0 -
SEO Issues with Avactis Shopping Cart Please Help(Resolved)
I am seeking advise or help with several issues I am having with Avactis. First is Title Duplicates or adds the same on every CMS page Seal It Green Sealants - Non-Toxic Organic Sealant Products so for instance it say Contact Us-Seal It Green Sealants - Non-Toxic Organic Sealant Products or Whats the Difference Seal It or Xtreme -Seal It Green Sealants - Non-Toxic Organic Sealant Products every cms page it adds Seal It Green Sealants - Non-Toxic Organic Sealant Products to the title description. which in turn makes my Title Descriptions TOO LONG! Second is the very lengthy urls. I came into this project after the site was developed and there are more issues than I ever imagined. Duplicated Pages, Titles etc all over the place. Trying to work on one issue at a time. ( I think re-building the site using something else would of been a quicker solution) But Client didn't want to do that. Any advise or tips to get through this process with this platform would be extremely appreciated.
Technical SEO | | MACameron0 -
Creating in-text links with ' 'target=_blank' - helping/hurting SEO!?!
Good Morning Mozzers, I have a question regarding a new linking strategy I'm trying to implement at my organization. We publish 'digital news magazines' that oftentimes have in-text links that point to external sites. More recently, the editorial department and me (SEO) conferred on some ways to reduce our bounce rate and increase time on page. One of the suggestions I offered is to add the 'target=_blank" attribute to all the links so that site visitors don't necessarily have to leave the site in order to view the link. It has, however, come to my attention that this can have some very negative effects on my SEO program, most notably, (fake or inaccurate) time(s) on-page. Is this an advisable way to create in-text links? Are there any other negative effects that I can expect from implementing such a strategy?
Technical SEO | | NiallSmith0 -
Wordpress Problems.. SEO-Yoast is Toast?
Hello; I have installed the WP Yoast Widget in my Blog, and 2 weeks, after my issues went away, they came back X's 300! lol So I uninstalled it, and my issues obviously got worse, and then I re-activated, and reset everything, and still got the 300+ issues. Is there a secondary plug in you would suggest, to run at the same time as Yoats, or theat will fix all issues? Ever think of making an SEOmoz Widget for WP since it is gaining so much popularity?? Thank you Great work by the way! Loved the Webinar today!
Technical SEO | | smstv0 -
Is there an onsite seo api?
Im trying to find an api which I can intergrate with my database for onsite keyword checking. Does anyone know if there is one available on the market? thanks, Chris
Technical SEO | | seomasters0 -
Duplicate Content issue
I have been asked to review an old website to an identify opportunities for increasing search engine traffic. Whilst reviewing the site I came across a strange loop. On each page there is a link to printer friendly version: http://www.websitename.co.uk/index.php?pageid=7&printfriendly=yes That page also has a link to a printer friendly version http://www.websitename.co.uk/index.php?pageid=7&printfriendly=yes&printfriendly=yes and so on and so on....... Some of these pages are being included in Google's index. I appreciate that this can't be a good thing, however, I am not 100% sure as to the extent to which it is a bad thing and the priority that should be given to getting it sorted. Just wandering what views people have on the issues this may cause?
Technical SEO | | CPLDistribution0