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    4. Complimentary sub-brand; subdomain, subfolder, something else?

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    Complimentary sub-brand; subdomain, subfolder, something else?

    Intermediate & Advanced SEO
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    • carlod
      carlod last edited by

      Hello forum!

      I have a question about subdomains vs. subfolders for a new sub-brand for a company.

      The company is looking at creating a sub-brand delivering a different service to the parent company. It is complimentary in a sense, but it would need a very different marketing strategy. It is not trying to 'hide' its parent brand at all, but instead would leverage the parent brand as added social proof.

      I've read that creating a subdomain essentially means starting from scratch in terms of SEO, and that a subfolder would better leverage the domain authority the TLD has accrued. However, creating a subfolder does not really gel with me, as it would not in my opinion provide a good experience for visitors.

      I.e. it's like running a website that sells electronics and having a subfolder marketing IT support services.

      Yes, there is some synergy-- but it can also lead to visitor confusion.

      I'd love your opinions on this!

      Carlo

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • stevecounsell
        stevecounsell @carlod last edited by

        Hey Carlo

        I would go for a separate domain but try buying an aged domain that's clean with some existing back links. Failing that a new domain with keywords in the domain. Yea it still works!

        Hope that helps

        steve

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
        • carlod
          carlod @vmialik last edited by

          Hi Vadim,

          Thanks for sharing that video! Seems to conflict with what I've been reading. But I suppose it is coming straight from the horse's mouth.

          P.S. Would love your feedback based on my response to Steve!

          Cheers,
          Carlo

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • carlod
            carlod @stevecounsell last edited by

            Hi Steve,

            Thanks for commenting. The company provides Managed IT Support to businesses, and is looking to move into digital marketing and web design. So my original thoughts were:

            • brand new domain
            • subdomain
            • subfolder and UI integration <-- (but this thought made me nauseous)

            What do you think?

            Regards,
            Carlo

            stevecounsell 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • vmialik
              vmialik last edited by

              Hi Carlo Del Fabbro,

              You mentioned that you prefer not to use sub-directories but prefer sub-domains. To my understanding and according to Matt Cutts: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MswMYk05tk subdomains and subfolders work the same way.  There are some downsides with subdomains, but I do not believe they are with SEO, so it should not steer you away from using a subdomain.  I am not sure why Rubix mentioned that in the post maybe ask him to clarify or get others to chime in

              Hope this Helps!

              carlod 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
              • stevecounsell
                stevecounsell last edited by

                Would it be more confusing to have:

                http://itsupportservice.myelectronics.com rather than http://myelectronic.com/itsupportservice/

                At least you get the leverage all the SEO work on the main domain!

                It may depend on the brand and sub-brand though. What's the main main brand and sub-brand?

                For what it's worth, my opinion is that you should go for a /folder/ off the main domain...

                Regards

                Steve

                carlod 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
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