Domain Usability
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- helloperson
Does anyone have any links to usability studies with regard to picking domain names?
I have a friend who is working on a state (michigan) funded program to help voters sort through the voting process, and he is trying to pick between:
vote.michigan.gov
or
www.michigan.gov/voteany help?
- k0na_an0k0
i just bought them both. he can buy them from me for $5000.
thanks.
- jevad0
HAHAHAHAH
- rasko40
:)
- helloperson0
If only that could have really happend....
then the problem would be solved!
- jpea0
seriously, i almost just spit up my bagel all over my desk!
- heavyt0
i think that he can have both.
it is possible that a subdomain will work as a directory.
ex.
http://todd.resudek.com
http://www.resudek.com/toddi think that it is a directory that has been modified on the server to be a subdomain, if that makes any sense.
TR1
- jevad0
yeah you can have both - one would be the subdomain - exaclty like you just said...
- helloperson0
That certainly makes sense, but from an advertising perspective it does not. He can't promote both site URLs.
I'm hopeing to find any info which recommends one over the other.
...
Actually if anyone here feels strongly either way just post it.
- trooperbill0
take a leaf out of the bbc site, they use directories, not sub domains... tho id have thought that as the user is accessing full stops in any domain that a sub domain would require less work to input. why not ask jacob nielson?( the wanker)
- jevad0
Seeing as you're asking - always use directories over sub domains.
- helloperson0
That is my leaning as well Jevad. I guess I just figure that because subdomains are less common to most users they would have a higher likelyhood of failure.
Kinda a Zuzana Licko, "We read best what we read most" logic applied to this instance.
- helloperson0
... and Jacob Nielson is a tool.
- jevad0
bwahahahaha
- jpea0
i'd say directory
-it's a conditioned response for most users
&
-it allows for the user to navigate into each main directory from any directory on the sitemy 2c
- heavyt0
i concur.
for instance, i always visit http://www.cnn.com/tech
i think that it is easier to tell someone that the site is blank dot com slash blank, rather than balank dot blank dot com/
i had a real hardr time with my site trying to make sure that peope dont try to put the "www" in it
- helloperson0
Thanks for all the help all....
anyone else?
- noop0
im drunk
use directory
- r_gaberz0
Keep it structured. Go with the directory.
-
why would you want people to leave the" www" off the adress?
- waska0
I think it depends.
I'm developing an online community right now.
I use wildcards for subdomains
(*.domain.com), so member can use their names as "subdomain". (username.domain.com)
They don't really have a subdomain though, just a redirect to a PHP script which display their Userprofile.
In your case, however, i too would suggest the directory solution. Its more simple.
- helloperson0
Anyone Else?