When I started with Shoutmeloud after a while I was looking for option to increase its visibility by adding more category on it, but this may create an issue with existing niche topics and I might get good traffic but lose my niche authority. So I was left with three options :
- Create a new WordPress blog
- Create a WordPress blog in subdomains
- Create a WordPress blog in Sub directory
Now I will discus issue, problems and solution :
Create a new WordPress blog
Major problem is with this option is branding from scratch and above all I need to work from starting to promote this blog. Obviously this will be an issue as I need to spend more time for these blogs. Probably I might end up sailing on two different boats and might end up not promoting my current and new blogs.
SubDirectory or Subdomain
Subdirectory : A subdirectory will be something like Shoutmeloud.com/iPhone
subdomains : A subdomains will be something like iphone.shoutmeloud.com
Obviously, I was not sure which one is best at that time and I went with different blog and I guess it was a wrong decision for me. Anyways, this post might help you and will help you not to make such mistakes which I did for my new blogs.
I was reading Matt Cutt Article on this topic and that gave me enough insight and which i can share with you.
subdomains
You need a subdomains only if your content is different from your current niche. That is if you have a blog on technology and you would like to write for entertainment. You should go for something like
entertainment.shoutmeloud com
Subdirectories
In case if you planning to add a different blog on particular topic related to your niche, suppose WordPress Theme.
You can have something like :
http://www.shoutmeloud.com/wordpresstheme
Remember WordPressThemes is a different directory or sub directory in your domain. This will help you to get more authority in your domain.
This is specially good for businesses , who have a static website, and they want to start with a blog, instead of going for blog.company you can go for company.com/blog.
I believe I have made things clear to you, in case if you have questions, feel free to ask me.
Article by Harsh Agrawal
Harsh has written 945 articles.
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{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Nicely explained Harsh! + rep added
If you are starting a new project in a completely different niche, it™s obvious that you should buy a new domain and host it as an add-on domain
However, if you use a sub-domain you can choose to put the blog on a completely different platform or server. Subdomain is free and it™s technically as flexible as a new domain, but subdirectory is the simplest option for website structuring..
Thanks for your insight and thats what the reason I started with this new bollywood project http://www.chromoz.com and I started it on completely different domain. Though if sometime I might add something new to shoutmeloud. It will be something like ebook.shoutmeloud.com
good post .. just wanted to know is it possible to create subdomains with same control panels in wordpress .. is there any plugin regarding it or any hack which is to be done ..
the subdomain thing is really a good option and as matt cutts says it improves credibility of site..
Jaspal I use Dreamhost for my hosting and in my cpanel I can install wordpress in subdomain with single click. I have to check with other hosting to give you the correct info.
Harsh .. i think you got me wrong .. i am not asking about installing a wordpress in sub-doamin or sub-directory . I was asking that .. if i have two wordpress installed .. one on main domain and one at sub-domain .. can these two have SAME wp-admin or wordpress control panel …… so i can blog from one panel and can post on both domains (sub-domain) ..
thnx
Jaspal in that case you should consider Installing wordpress MU , I have not worked with Wordpress MU personally, but I guess that will fulfill the requirement.
Hi, harsh nice article. I think making monster blog using sub domains or sub directory will give you authority. Don’t know which is easy. But, i will use sub directories for sure.
About.com is one example. This domain dominates in various niches these days. It has sub domains for various topics.
Rahul Sub Directories are easy to manage though it depends on for what purpose you need a blog, that actually decide either you need a sub-directory or sub-domain.
I think, Focusing on one single niche is enough.. if we choose to write on different niche under different subdomains or subdirectory… we must take care that each blog is updated regularly..
It means hosting a new blog under directory is better than subdomain.
I wud always prefer to get new domain instead of in subdomain or subdirectory..the reason being soon going to elaborate in one of my coming posts
i have a main site and i am thinking to start a blog like mainsite.com/supportingblog
supporting blog will be useful for interlinking the main site pages so that will be better for main site indexing & seo purpose
wat do u say ?
I believe the following to be correct:
A subdomain will access files in a directory.
subdomain1.domain.com => domain.com/subdomain1
Since a directory = category in WP, I have a question:
Won ´t all subdomain=directory automatically be realized
if I create a subdomain with a domain name directory=category
in WP?
loved this one,thnx alot