4 replies to this topic

[ChrisClark]

Hi Guys, long time lurker first time poster

I have a motorcycle classifieds site which is a PR4 and gets about 5k unique visitors a day, my next step is to integrate a motorcycle classifieds shop AND a social network (kind of like facebook but for bikers). I have had a brainstorm about the best way to do it but would really appreciate the thoughts of others on this as I am sure its came up before, should I:

1) Get 2 new IP addresses for my server and 2 new URLs and create these sites independantly so they can pass link-juice to each other
2) have them as sub-domains on the site (like www.website.com/SocialMedia/ ) so they piggy-back off the PR4 site so they rank straight away and share the identity already created.

This is a long-term project and I am comfortable link-building to get them ranked quickly if i start from scratch but just wanted to hear your opinions on this.

N.B learned everything I know via Forums like this (been in SEO for 10 years back in the days when there were no decent books) so owe forums a lot, i will be sticking around and helping out where I can so although its my first post it will not be my last.

Really appreciate all the help in advance, really appreciate it

Chris

[Michael Martinez]

1) Get 2 new IP addresses for my server and 2 new URLs and create these sites independantly so they can pass link-juice to each other

If it were really that simple, everyone would be doing this. In fact, what you're proposing is fine if you do it for your users, not for search.

2) have them as sub-domains on the site (like www.website.com/SocialMedia/ ) so they piggy-back off the PR4 site so they rank straight away and share the identity already created.

This would probably work better as it would require less brand building on your part and, no, the sub-domains won't necessarily piggy-back off the root domain.

Stop thinking about links and PageRank. Think about creating a great place for your visitors.

[Jill]

have them as sub-domains on the site (like www.website.com/SocialMedia/ )

That's not a subdomain, it's a directory.

It makes no difference whether you use new sites, subdomains or directories. It's all in how you link to it from your existing site.

[keyon]

It makes no difference whether you use new sites, subdomains or directories. It's all in how you link to it from your existing site.

Could you elaborate on this some? It's hard for me to believe that in terms of SEO, all that really matters is how you link to the new content.

[Jill]

There's really not much more too it, so I don't know how to elaborate any further.

Perhaps this short article will give you a bit more info:

Microsite or Main Domain: Which is Better for SEO and Google?