Subdirectories Vs Sub-domains

[freedomsky]

Hi
I am working with a healthcare site that is essentially a portal for a hospitals many, many different centers, expertise, etc. We call the smaller sites within our main url "microsites." We would like the microsites to remain within the main url somehow because from a marketing perspective we have already gained market recognition on the main url. How should I set up my microsites, as subdomains or subdirectories?
thanks

[shrokla]

Hello sir ,
I would say subfolders and directors are a bad game in search engines. After this recent update value for a sub domain or sub folder weight has become very less. So please check the SERPs if you see lots of sub domains use it but I can see less and less sub domains are coming up in SERPs,
so it would be fine if you check the search engines before going ahead with optimization of sub folders or what so ever,
thanks,

[mike777]

One thing to consider is that if you do sub domains, search engines will see each one as a separate domain or web site whereas if you do sub folder, search engines will see them as the same domain or site.

IMO it is not a real issue in regards to SEO efforts which way you do it. You should ask yourself then, "what is best for those who will user our site - our visitors/customers?"

[mike777]

Hello,
Since the search engines will probably handle either with the same degree of relevancy, it comes down to what works for users. IMHO sub-domains are very much better from a user perspective and possibly should be used more. It also involves less typing.