If you’re working on your website’s structure and SEO, one common question pops up: Should you use a subdomain or a subdirectory? These two may seem like technical terms, but they can affect your traffic, rankings, and even how people interact with your site.
Let’s break them down and help you decide what’s best for your setup!
What Is a Subdomain?
A subdomain is basically a separate section of your main website. It lives outside of your main root folder but still connects to your primary domain. You can think of it as a second website under the same brand umbrella.
For example:
blog.example.com: “blog” here is a subdomain of example.com.
Subdomains are commonly used for blogs, e-commerce stores, mobile sites, customer support portals, or forums.
They’re treated as separate entities by search engines. That means Google might consider your subdomain as a different website from your main one.
When to Use a Subdomain
There are some situations where using a subdomain makes sense. Let’s look at a few:
- Distinct Content Types: If your content is completely different from the main site (for example, you run a store and want to launch a separate support portal), a subdomain can help keep things organized.
- Separate Teams or Systems: When different teams manage different parts of your site or you want to run your blog on a separate CMS (like WordPress while the main site uses another platform), a subdomain can make this easier.
- Targeting a Different Audience or Region: If you’re targeting a different language or country, like es.example.com for Spanish content, a subdomain works well for localization.
- Running a Test or Staging Environment: Subdomains are often used for development, such as staging.example.com or beta.example.com, so they don’t interfere with your live site.
Pros of Subdomains
- Great for separate teams or content types
- Easier to manage different tech stacks
- Useful for regional or language targeting
- Helps isolate parts of a site for testing or experimentation
Cons of Subdomains
- May split SEO authority
- Requires more setup and management
- Harder to track in analytics
- May take longer to build rankings
What Is a Subdirectory?
A subdirectory (also called a subfolder) is a section within your main domain. It uses folders to organize your content. Everything stays under the same root domain, which keeps the structure more centralized.
For example:
example.com/blog: “blog” here is a subdirectory of the main site.
Subdirectories are usually easier to manage and often preferred when you want to keep everything on the same site for better SEO foolproof system, and a user experience.
When to Use a Subdirectory
- Build Authority: Keeping all your content under one roof helps pass SEO value to new sections of your site. That means your new blog post or product page can benefit from the domain’s existing trust and rankings.
- Adding Related Content: If your blog, resources, or store directly support your main site’s topic, subdirectories keep everything connected. This also helps users navigate more easily.
- Faster SEO Wins: Search engines crawl and index subdirectories as part of your main site, so you may see quicker results in rankings compared to launching a new subdomain.
- Easier Analytics: Tracking everything under the same domain is much easier in tools like Google Analytics. With subdirectories, you don’t need to set up cross-domain tracking.
Pros of Subdirectories
- Strong SEO value
- Easier to manage as one website
- Simpler tracking and reporting
Faster indexing and better internal linking
Cons of Subdirectories
- Can become messy if not well organized
- Not ideal for content that’s very different from your main topic
- Limited flexibility if you want to use different tools or systems
Key Differences Between Subdomains and Subdirectories
- Structure: Subdomains are like creating a second site, while subdirectories are a part of your main site.
- Management: Subdomains may require separate hosting or CMS setups. Subdirectories usually use the same environment as your main site.
- SEO Treatment: Search engines often treat subdomains separately, while subdirectories benefit from the main domain’s SEO authority.
What Do Search Engines Prefer?
Google has said that it can handle both subdomains and subdirectories just fine. But in practice, many SEO experts believe that subdirectories have an edge.
Why? Because Google treats subdomains as separate properties, they don’t always inherit the SEO authority from your main site. So, unless there’s a specific reason to separate things, a subdirectory can help you get better rankings with less effort.
Which One Should You Choose?
If your content supports your main site and fits well with your brand, go with a subdirectory. It’s easier, more efficient for SEO, and keeps your site unified.
If you need clear separation, different software, or you’re targeting international SEO, a subdomain could be the better route.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But if SEO and simplicity are your top priorities, subdirectories often win.
Conclusion on Subdomain vs Subdirectory
Choosing between a subdomain and a subdirectory might seem like a small detail, but it can have a big impact on your SEO and user experience. Take time to think about your goals, how your content fits together, and how much control you need over different sections of your site.
Need help making the right decision or improving your website’s SEO? At BestSEO, we offer expert SEO services that guide your strategy and help your site reach its full potential.
For more information, contact us today!
Frequently Asked Questions About Subdomain vs Subdirectory
Does Google Prefer Subdomains Or Subdirectories?
Google treats both the same, but subdirectories often perform better in SEO because they share authority with the main domain.
Are Subdomains Bad For SEO?
Not bad, but they split SEO efforts. Subdirectories are easier to manage if you want to boost your main site’s rankings.
When Should I Use A Subdomain?
Use a subdomain if you need separation, like for a blog, a different language site, or a testing area.
Can I Switch From A Subdomain To A Subdirectory?
Yes, but you’ll need proper 301 redirects and planning to keep your traffic and rankings safe.
Do Subdirectories Rank Better Than Subdomains?
Usually, yes. Subdirectories benefit from your main site’s SEO strength, making it easier to rank.
