What is the point of sub-domains if people are just going to constantly tell you to buy a real domian and that your site will fail if you have a sub-domain. Why should they even exist if sites aren't going to do any good with them.
Whats the point of sub-domains
- Thread starter Jerbear
- Start date
People will say that (and I have to admit I probably say it myself too often myself) because the truth is that a real domain is better than a sub domain. That's not to say that a site can't start off on a sub domain and become successful. FP started on a sub domain and we have members here who have successful forums on sub-domains.Pokemon said:
Seth Godin is the founder of Squidoo and a best selling author, his blog is at http://sethgodin.typepad.com/.
I do think it is easier to be successful if you have your own domain name, but that's not to say you can't be successful without it.
A lot of the time sites like to have shortcuts for their longer but more commonly used directories for quick navigation.
ex: members.domain.com
Sometimes they're even used as hostnames in place of an IP for a sites other servers (for games or voip) because names are much easier to remember than a set of numbers.
ex: halo.domain.com
ex: members.domain.com
Sometimes they're even used as hostnames in place of an IP for a sites other servers (for games or voip) because names are much easier to remember than a set of numbers.
ex: halo.domain.com
Domains and sub-domains, much like free and paid hosting, are something that each user has to consider for themselves.
Sub-domains are often cheaper/free and they give an additional url that points to your site which can be useful. (Especially if it's shorter and easier to remember.)
but sub-domains display as <yoursitename>.<theirdomain>.<tld> which can throw people off. And there is always issue where certain domains like .co.cc Google may not like and won't index. (So that can hurt your search rankings if you begin to rely only on it.)
Having a paid domain allows for some nice features itself. Like the option for you to designate your own sub-domains. So this way you can have a test site/forum set up, your main site, your forum and more and each of them all goes off the same domain. This makes it easier to link and remember links. Plus provides a nice unified appearance to general public. (Since different parts don't necessarily have to even be on the same server.)
(You may be able to create sub-sub-domains with sub-domain providers... Depending on the registrar. But those tend to look really long and are harder to remember and use. )
Though paid domains are more expensive (usually ~7-13$ per year depending on renewal costs and if you use whois guard. Though keep an eye open since some registrars have specials... namecheap... where they sell domains for like 1$, not including whois guard, for the first year.)
Sub-domains are often cheaper/free and they give an additional url that points to your site which can be useful. (Especially if it's shorter and easier to remember.)
but sub-domains display as <yoursitename>.<theirdomain>.<tld> which can throw people off. And there is always issue where certain domains like .co.cc Google may not like and won't index. (So that can hurt your search rankings if you begin to rely only on it.)
Having a paid domain allows for some nice features itself. Like the option for you to designate your own sub-domains. So this way you can have a test site/forum set up, your main site, your forum and more and each of them all goes off the same domain. This makes it easier to link and remember links. Plus provides a nice unified appearance to general public. (Since different parts don't necessarily have to even be on the same server.)
(You may be able to create sub-sub-domains with sub-domain providers... Depending on the registrar. But those tend to look really long and are harder to remember and use. )
Though paid domains are more expensive (usually ~7-13$ per year depending on renewal costs and if you use whois guard. Though keep an eye open since some registrars have specials... namecheap... where they sell domains for like 1$, not including whois guard, for the first year.)
Pokemon, I think the answer to your question is simple: because not everyone can get a real domain.
Everyone has their own administration style. Others may tell you what is good and what is bad, but the choice is yours to let it sink in or not. I have been told the similar thing many times in the past. Now I can firmly say that it is not true. Fergal gave a good example. I myself have proven that my old forum thrived better when we were on sub-domain than when we moved to real domain.
Nothing is certain. Wherever you are, real domain or not, it is YOU who decide on the future of your website, along with your community. Domain has little to nothing to do with it. Everyone knows that having your own real domain gives you 100% full access to customize your website, but as you can see too it doesn't guarantee success.
I believe everything exists for a reason; sub-domains included. 😉
Everyone has their own administration style. Others may tell you what is good and what is bad, but the choice is yours to let it sink in or not. I have been told the similar thing many times in the past. Now I can firmly say that it is not true. Fergal gave a good example. I myself have proven that my old forum thrived better when we were on sub-domain than when we moved to real domain.
Nothing is certain. Wherever you are, real domain or not, it is YOU who decide on the future of your website, along with your community. Domain has little to nothing to do with it. Everyone knows that having your own real domain gives you 100% full access to customize your website, but as you can see too it doesn't guarantee success.
I believe everything exists for a reason; sub-domains included. 😉
thedudeman
Seasoned Veteran
Just a note, I know a lot of sites use them it for internal development versions of a site.
For example, dev.[website].com, beta, alpha, etc.
For example, dev.[website].com, beta, alpha, etc.
I have considered getting a sub domain series for my site, depends on if our upcoming groups feature takes off or not. I think that for a less ambitious site or one just starting out, they are fine. If the only thing someone seems to do with their time is knock your site because it doesn't have its own domain, they are compensating for something. Just ignore them.
Fergal said:
Sorry, Fergal, I didn't realized you quoted me, haha~
There were problems with the host that made the forum went on and off rather often, until it went down completely. A member of the forum paid for the host we chose together, and when problems came I had a hard time contacting this member. So all things combined, we didn't manage to get through. And I was busy as well so I probably didn't follow up things properly. I didn't blame anyone anymore, though.
Point is, your domain doesn't matter, your management does.
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