Subdomain or subfolder: which is better for SEO?

What each one actually is

Take the domain yourbrand.pk. A subfolder is a path added after it, like yourbrand.pk/blog. A subdomain is a word added before it, like blog.yourbrand.pk.

To a visitor the two look similar. Behind the scenes they differ. A subfolder sits inside your main website, on the same hosting. A subdomain is a separate address that can point to a completely different server or service.

You do not need to buy anything extra for either. Once you own the main domain, you can create subdomains or folders as you need them. If you do not own a domain yet, you can search for one at /domains/ or read the basics in /guides/.

What Google says

Google's Search Central page on multi-regional sites compares URL structures. Note that it is written for sites aimed at several countries or languages, not as general ranking advice.

On that page, subdomains on a generic domain are listed as easy to set up, able to use different server locations, and easy to separate. The listed drawback is that users may not tell whether a label means a language or a country. Subdirectories are listed as easy to set up and low maintenance on the same host. Their drawbacks are the same unclear label, a single server location, and harder separation of sites later.

That page does not say that one structure ranks better. Be wary of anyone who sells you a fixed rule. Useful content, clear page titles and sensible links matter more than where a slash or dot sits. Our view: choose the structure that is easiest for you to run well.

When a subfolder is the better fit

Pick a subfolder when the content belongs to the same business and the same website. A blog, a price list, city pages for your services and a help section all fit here.

The practical reasons are simple:

• One website to manage, one hosting plan, one set of settings.
• Your blog, product pages and contact page sit together, so visitors move between them easily.
• Fewer separate setups to keep track of.
• Fewer moving parts to forget when you renew or change hosting.

When a subdomain makes sense

A subdomain suits anything that runs on different software or a different server from your main site. Common examples for Pakistani owners are an online shop on a hosted platform, a customer portal, a booking app, or a staging copy where you test changes.

It also helps when a different team or supplier looks after that section, because they can work without touching your main site. The trade-off is extra setup, and you may need to configure tracking separately.

For a plain brochure site with a blog, a subdomain adds work and little else. If you are unsure which extension to build on, see /pk-vs-com-pk-vs-com/ before you plan the structure.

How to set up a subdomain

You create a subdomain at the place that runs your DNS, usually your registrar or hosting panel. Subfolders need no DNS work; you simply create the folder or page path in your website.

For a subdomain, the usual steps are:

• Decide the label, for example shop.
• Open the DNS settings for your domain.
• Add a record for that label, pointing it to the address or hostname your shop, app or host gives you.
• Add the same domain in the service you are connecting, so it recognises the name.
• Wait for DNS to update, then check it loads over https.

Getting the domain right first

Both choices start with a good main domain. If you are registering a .pk or .com.pk, remember that PKNIC fixes the registrant name at registration and the minimum term is two years. Check the details at /pk-domain/ and /com-pk-domain/, and see what names are free at /domains/.

We are a small Pakistani company. We help owners sell existing domains with payment held in escrow, and we register new ones in the customer's own name through PKNIC or a registrar. We are not a registrar and are not affiliated with PKNIC. See /pricing/ and /order/ when you are ready.

Common questions