The Sub-Domain - An Affiliates Friend

It's surprising, at least to me, the amount of Affiliates who aren't aware of the value and flexibility that the 'sub-domain' can give their promotional website activities. Set up in the right way, a single domain through a host who includes multiple 'sub-domains' in their hosting package can fill ALL the online needs of even the busiest and most diversified Affiliate.

Firstly, for those who need to know, a 'sub-domain' is simply a separate, individual web folder, which can be attached to a 'main' domain and treated in all respects as a separate entity online. It is similar to a 'sub-web', which most hosting facilities include except that it is, in it's own right, treated as a separate domain by the SEs rather than a sub-folder under a domain.

The way in which they are represented online as URLs is as follows:

For instance, if you have a domain name, 'domain.com' and you add a sub-domain named 'bubble', the URL to that particular 'website' (which is what each sub-domain amounts to, a separate website) will be 'bubble.domain.com'. No doubt, many have seen these types of URLs online and in promo emails etc. The 'dot' between the sub-domain and main domain is not to be confused with the 'dash' that can be used as part of a main domain. For instance, 'bubble-domain.com' would need to be registered and propagated in it's own right whereas, sub-domains can be created under a main domain in a matter of seconds, with their own FTP password, image, private and cgi-bin folders etc.

What makes them so valuable a tool, if it's not so obvious already, is that an Affiliate can create a separate website for totally unrelated products or services, fill each website with the necessary pages of content, links and facilities etc and promote each to the Search Engines and other directories, virtually as if it were a different main domain. As I've said, the SEs treat each sub-domain as a separate entity and categorize them as such. A very handy ability when it comes to Affiliate programs that supply a website or webpage for their Affiliates to use and promote. In such a case, you can basically make that page or site your very own in every respect, optimizing for SEs and presenting it how ever you please (provided no agreements are broken).

Obviously, having a 'generic' main domain name is essential to getting the best out of this cost, time and trouble saving method of creating multiple websites. If you have a main domain name 'pillshop.net' (perhaps your initial Affiliate endeavor involved promoting this type of product) it is really only going to be useful for the one type of product or service. Alternatively, something more generic like 'online-plus.biz' is going to be useful for promoting almost anything because it has no specific meaning. For instance, in the case of promoting a Singles Dating Affiliate program, something like 'singles.online-plus.biz' would work as well as 'pills.online-plus.biz' or even 'dogs.online-plus.biz'. However, 'singles.pillshop.net' just doesn't work, does it? (Although, I have seen some pretty weird URLs around!)

The only problem you will be presented with, concerns the traffic ranking facility Alexa. Alexa will read all sub-domains as their parent 'main domain', so the traffic ranking for each website will be the same, as will all the other Alexa information. However, this isn't such a great problem when you consider that the total traffic indicated for each website will actually be the total for ALL of them. In my opinion, not so much of a problem, at all.

So, for the Affiliate at least, choosing the right type of domain name and a hosting facility that includes multiple sub-domains in their package is very important, especially if there's any possibility that you're going to be venturing into promoting unrelated products and services. The first hosting facility I was involved with a few years ago, charged $10 to create each sub-domain. The one I've been with for the last couple of years, allows unlimited free sub-domains (contact me at one of my websites if you want to know who they are).

The 2005 Edition of Steve Brennan's popular ebook title 'The Affiliate Guide Book' is available now. He also operates a number of Affiliate wesbites which include Hair Loss Remedy and Diet & Weight Loss Place.

---

What Questions Should You Ask Yourself When You Select Your Domain Name for Your Home Business?

So you want to be an Internet superstar, work from... Read More

Is Your Company Name Killing Your Online Business?

Ahhh... your company name.Your identity. What separates you from everyone... Read More

Choosing Your Domain Name ? Internet Marketing

This is actually an important key to your business and... Read More

Good Domain Names Make Your Dreams Memorable

"What was the name of that website? It was good.... Read More

Selecting Your Domain Name - Things to consider

Selecting your domain name Selecting a domain name can be... Read More

Dot Com or Dot Net, Which is the Best Domain Name to Settle for?

When seeking domain names most people get confused over whether... Read More

ICANN Registrar: Great promotion by is-domains!

ICANN accredited registar Secura is announcing today, that the company... Read More

What You Need to Know About Choosing A Domain Name

Aside from the nuts and bolts of where to register... Read More

Domain Parking Explained

Domain names are being snapped up all the time so... Read More

A Little Secret About Public Domain Treasures

I bet this little secret is going to get YOU... Read More

Eu-Domains For Everybody

Cologne,10 July 2004. ICANN accredited registar Secura announces today, that... Read More

How to Get Rich Playing With WORDS!

How many times have you read or heard on the... Read More

How to Sell your Website

There are hundreds and thousands of websites on the internet... Read More

Domain Name Registration Explained

Registering a domain name is a pretty straight forward process.... Read More

Domain Name - How To Pick One

Picking a domain name should be easy, right? Why, I'll... Read More

Free eBook: Business Domain Names

Since every website needs a name, Dr. Steve Baba has... Read More

Tips and Tricks To Getting Top Money for your Domain Names

Would you like to be that lucky person who sells... Read More

Is Your Domain Costing You Traffic?

You visited a great website some time ago that had... Read More

Virtual Airport

Aero Registrar Secura GmbH proposes to the IT departments of... Read More

Domain Name Registration - Key Tips

Domain name registration is a necessary, easy, and strategically important... Read More

42 Killer Domain Secrets Exposed!

The Basic StuffEvery website needs a domain name. Example "WebBootCamp.com"... Read More

Liberalization of in-Domains?

Communications and IT Minister Dayanidhi Maran has -as Hindustan Times... Read More

Why to Register md-Domains?

What is .md?.md is the web address that identifies you,... Read More

Public Domain Works Are Closer Than They Appear

Searching for public domain works can be a tedious job... Read More

Instant Traffic Using Expired Domains

Every day thousands of domains 'expire' and are put back... Read More

Investing in Great Domain Names when They Come for Sale

Domain names are not just online identities anymore they are... Read More

All-time Record of Domain Registrations

The number of registered domains has reached an all-time high... Read More

How Can You Choose the Best Domain Name?

It's all in the NameThe domain you use for a... Read More

Know How DNS Works

Domain name Servers (DNS) are an important but invisible part... Read More

What is a Domain Name and Why Would I Want One?

In this article we will cover the basics of what... Read More

The Sub-Domain - An Affiliates Friend

It's surprising, at least to me, the amount of Affiliates... Read More

How to Profit with Domain Name Speculation

Domain Name speculation has become big business. According to recent... Read More

Is Your Domain Name On Someones Wanted List?

A good domain name is, and will always be, essential... Read More