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What is Subdirectory (Subfolder)?

A folder structure under the main domain (e.g., example.com/blog/).

I know you have heard the never-ending SEO debate: Should I put my blog on example.com/blog or https://www.google.com/search?q=blog.example.com?

This simple choice of putting content in a folder or on a separate domain can significantly impact how quickly your content ranks.

I will explain What is Subdirectory (Subfolder)? and why I almost always choose the subdirectory for maximum SEO authority.

What is Subdirectory (Subfolder)? The SEO Powerhouse

Let us define the winning strategy: What is Subdirectory (Subfolder)? It is a folder within my main website’s root domain, making it an integral part of my primary site structure, like mywebsite.com/services/.

Search engines instantly recognize this structure, treating all pages within the subfolder as part of the main website.

This means that any backlinks or authority earned by a page in the subfolder directly benefits the main domain, consolidating all my SEO power in one place.

Subdirectory Setup by CMS Platform

Using a subdirectory is the default and easiest structure for almost every major CMS platform.

WordPress (WP)

WordPress uses subdirectories by default to organize content, such as /category/ and /blog/.

I set my permalinks to ensure my URLs are clean and keyword-rich, reflecting the folder structure, like /blog/seo-guide/.

This native structure is the number one reason why WordPress is so SEO-friendly right out of the box.

Shopify

Shopify automatically uses subdirectories for all its sections, such as /products/, /collections/, and /blogs/.

I cannot change this core structure, but I must optimize the slugs within those folders to be descriptive.

This built-in approach ensures all my ecommerce pages benefit from the main domain’s authority without any complex setup.

Wix

Wix uses a subdirectory structure for organizing its various pages, creating a unified flow for the entire site.

I just create a page and nest it under another, and Wix automatically handles the folder creation in the URL path.

This simple process keeps all my content under one domain for easy authority consolidation.

Webflow

Webflow’s Collection CMS is designed to use subdirectories to organize dynamic content, such as a blog or portfolio items.

I define the folder name when I create a CMS Collection, and the system handles the rest, creating a clean, scalable structure.

I check that the resulting URLs are short and contain my primary target keyword for maximum effect.

Custom CMS

For a custom CMS, I instruct my developers to configure the server to use URL rewriting to create a clean, subdirectory structure for all content.

I strictly avoid using a subdomain unless I need a completely separate technology or administration for that section.

The goal is to physically and logically treat all content as part of the main domain to pool link equity.

Subdirectory Strategy by Industry

I use the subdirectory to create a unified ecosystem that helps my business establish topical authority.

Ecommerce

I use subdirectories to organize my product taxonomy, moving from the general to the specific: /shop/shoes/running/.

This structure helps Google understand the relationship between my categories and products, building topical authority for “shoes.”

All the link equity from a review of one product boosts the ranking power of the entire “shoes” category.

Local Businesses

I use subdirectories to create location-specific pages, like /services/plumber-austin/ or /reviews/austin/.

This clearly communicates to Google that the content is locally relevant and part of the main business entity.

This is much easier and faster for local SEO than trying to build authority on a separate https://www.google.com/search?q=austin.mysite.com subdomain.

SaaS (Software as a Service)

I use subdirectories for my content hub, documentation, and pricing pages: /blog/, /docs/, and /pricing/.

This positions my entire website as an authority on my industry’s topics, boosting the main marketing pages.

The technical documentation still needs to be easily found, so placing it under the main domain is a big win for visibility.

Blogs

For any serious blog, I insist on hosting it in a subdirectory, like mysite.com/blog/, rather than a subdomain.

This ensures all the authority and backlinks that my great articles earn flows back up to strengthen my core domain.

A subdirectory guarantees that my articles contribute directly to the main site’s ranking power, not a separate, new entity.

FAQ Section: Your Quick Subdirectory Answers

What is the difference between a subdirectory and a subdomain?

A subdirectory is a folder within the main site, like example.com/blog/, and it shares the domain’s authority instantly.

A subdomain is a separate entity, like https://www.google.com/search?q=blog.example.com, and it is often treated by Google as a separate website that must build its authority from scratch.

Which is better for SEO?

For almost all businesses, the subdirectory is better because it pools link authority and SEO power onto a single domain.

Subdomains are only better when I need completely separate branding or a totally different server technology.

If I use a subdirectory, will it slow down my website?

No, the use of subdirectories does not affect my site speed at all.

Speed is determined by the quality of my hosting, my caching, and the code of my CMS, not the structure of my URL path.

Is it hard to change a subdomain to a subdirectory?

Yes, moving from a subdomain to a subdirectory requires a complex technical migration and careful 301 redirects for every single page.

I always recommend starting with a subdirectory to save time, money, and to maximize my SEO from day one.

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