Subfolder vs Subdomain: Which Approach is Best for Your Website’s New Section?
When it comes to creating a new section on your website, such as a dedicated section for selling honey, you may be faced with the decision of whether to use a subfolder or a subdomain. In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of each approach to help you make an informed decision.
Subfolder: flaviocopes.com/honey
Using a subfolder, such as flaviocopes.com/honey, offers several advantages. First, it simplifies management as it allows you to have a separate application or CMS specifically for the honey section. This means you can store it separately in its own Git repository and even host it separately on its own hosting.
However, using a subfolder can be more complicated because all the code must be placed under the original code that manages the main domain. This may require some creative server-side solutions, especially if you are managing your own server.
From an SEO perspective, there is a significant advantage to using a subfolder. While Google does not officially confirm it, subdomains are generally considered as completely separate sites from the main domain. This means that honey.flaviocopes.com may not inherit the same SEO “juice” that flaviocopes.com has. Having multiple subdomains can dilute the domain authority instead of centralizing it in the main domain. This factor alone could justify using the subfolder approach.
Subdomain: honey.flaviocopes.com
Using a subdomain, such as honey.flaviocopes.com, also offers its own advantages. It simplifies management by providing a completely separate app or CMS for the honey section. This separation allows you to maintain a separate Git repository and host it on its own hosting. This approach is ideal when using external services like Shopify, as they typically support the use of subdomains.
From a branding standpoint, there is no significant difference between using a subfolder or a subdomain. For larger projects, it may be best to have a separate domain, logo, and design. However, if the honey section is just an idea or something you want to test-drive without investing time and effort into a separate domain, both the subfolder and subdomain approaches will work fine.
Conclusion
In conclusion, choosing between a subfolder and a subdomain depends on your specific needs and goals. A subfolder simplifies management and offers potential SEO benefits due to its connection to the main domain. On the other hand, a subdomain provides more independence and ease of use, especially when using external services. Consider your SEO objectives and the scale of your project when making this decision, and remember that both approaches have their own strengths.