Install Wordpress blog on root directory or sub directory?

[bgscotty]

Hello.

I'd welcome any advice...

Is it more appropriate to install a Wordpress blog in the root directory or a sub directory?

What are the advantages /disadvantages to each?

Thank you in advance.

BG

[Dan Schulz]

I'd put it in a subdirectory and then mask its location so that it appears to be running from the root. I'd also use mod_rewrite and remove the WordPress version META tag to cover up all tracks of WordPress' existance.

That way if you ever switch to something else later on, you won't have a bunch of files to clean up (it also keeps your root directory clean as well).

[BlazeMiskulin]

It depends on how the installation is going to be used. When I'm installing for a client who's just running a small site and has little or no computer experience, I install to root to make things simpler. I do the same for a few of my own sites where I know that I won't be going outside of WP to do anything (i.e., "it's just a blog").

With clients that are going to be running more complex sites, expanding, or utilizing more than one application, I install to a sub-directory and then make it look as if it's in the root. This makes it much easier to keep things compartmentalized and reduces the chances of accidentally overwriting some important file.

[bgscotty]

Thanks to you both.

You're both saying the same thing (I think)...

"I install to a sub-directory and then make it look as if it's in the root."

"I'd put it in a subdirectory and then mask its location"

Is there any place I can go to get information on how I do this masking?

Many thanks again.

BG

[BlazeMiskulin]

Install WP in the subdirectory you want. Then, in the admin panel, go to "options, general" and change the "Blog Address" to the root. There's a link on that page that takes you to instructions on how to do it. It's very simple.

[Dan Schulz]

And here's a tutorial on how to use mod_rewrite to mask every trace of WordPress from your site's structural links. (Good thing I asked how to do it.)

http://www.theblogexperiment.com/blo...ad.php?p=14001

[bgscotty]

You both are very helpful- and patient- with a beginner like me asking such basic questions.

Researching this is a little confusing- I guess everyone does what suits their own situation.

I'm keen to set up my blog as SEO-healthy as possible

(having read http://www.dailyblogtips.com/always-...oot-directory/)

but I guess changing the blog address to the root address avoids negative SEO consequences?

Scott

[Dan Schulz]

They're talking about the link structure, not where the files are hosted. You can set up WordPress at yoursite.com/wordpress/ but still have it point to yoursite.com from within the system itself.

[noobpreneur]

Good point.

I've installed mine at root directory and it IS a lot of work to clean WP's trails. Next time, I'd put it in subdir.

Thanks guys!

Noobpreneur
Noobpreneur.com - Resources for Entrepreneur
EnglishFair.com - Bidding Web Directory

[hrg]

There are some guys who say putting blog into subdomain is bad for SEO. I don't think so. Anyway, put your blog into root, and build up your site conent around it!

[gtork]

I vote for sub directory. Keeps root clean for any issues in the future...

[vgarcia]

I vote for sub directory. Keeps root clean for any issues in the future...

You can set the root to a static page from within wordpress.

And for moving locations etc. on your server learn about symlinks and ssh and have a smart setup from the get-go

[bgscotty]

They're talking about the link structure, not where the files are hosted. You can set up WordPress at yoursite.com/wordpress/ but still have it point to yoursite.com from within the system itself.

vgarcia
Quote: You can set the root to a static page from within wordpress.



Thank you all.

What does it mean to "set the root to a static page?

and in what ways are the two good bits of advice above different?

I'm a little bamboozled by the technical side but that's for me to learn over the next few weeks

Cheers,

BG

[banago]

I always install mines in the root directory.