There are lots of reasons to use subdomains, what ever your reason is make sure you consider the following issues.

1. This decision will be with your for a long time – so think it through carefully.
2. Consider why you need a subdomain – what business problem does it solve.
3. Search Engine Optimization
• Use researched keywords that work for your business in the subdomain
  ex: keyword.domain.com
• Don’t excessively use keywords in the subdomain
  ex: keyword1keyword1keyword1.domain.com
• Don’t connect too many keywords in the subdomain
  ex: keyword1-keyword2-keyword3.domain.com
• Ask yourself if it looks spammy or professional
4. Keep the subdomain short as possible
5. Make sure the subdomain is user friendly
• You want it to be readable
• You want it to be click able
• You want it to be concise (a good test – could it be put on a business card easily)

Subdomain names can have big SEO benefits (the parent site passes reputation to the child), but if you push the boundary too far, you could do more damage then good. So pick wisely, think through the issues, and follow the best practices outlined above.

It is with a lot of regret that SEMPO Canada announces that it has lost one of its members, who decided not to renew their SEMPO membership and therefore withdraw from all SEMPO-related activities involving the growth of Search Marketing in Canada. They simply stated that they were not getting enough of this relationship and this position was shared by every member of their team. In an industry that is in development, especially in Canada, I would like to take a moment to ask for your feedback on the nature of these relationships between SEMPO but especially the underlying expectations that business people may have in regards to SEMPO, SEMPO Canada and the Canadian Search Marketing Industry in general.

It is becoming a common understanding that the Canadian business community expects more out of this industry than they contribute to its growth. We are facing a scarcity of talent since very few schools, colleges or universities have a search engine marketing learning curriculum. The industry does not regenerate itself yet, which is why it is adequate to raise the question why we would see major icons in the Canadian web economy leaving our organization.

We have been working hard here at SEMPO Canada to create an entity that anyone can call upon when they need support on Search Marketing and as such I would like to ask you for suggestions, criticism or any type of input that you may have so that we can fulfill your expectations in a way that would entice you to stay in and contribute. In the long run, everyone will benefit from it.

We are all in this together.