What is the reason for the difference in preference between using the www subdomain or the domain root in a website's address? When working with English-speaking clients, I've observed that almost everyone prefers to have the site hosted on the www subdomain, with the transition to the domain being forwarded.
However, in French-speaking environments, we tend to prefer using the domain root more frequently. Despite this, I am unable to provide any compelling arguments to customers as to why one is better than the other. The confusion surrounding which address belongs to which site only adds to the issue.
While not a critical question, I'm curious if anyone shares a similar opinion and if there are any pros or cons to either approach.
Advisers often discuss the nuances of using a website domain with or without www. If you have a simple website without subdomains, CDNs or other resources on the domain, it is safe to use the main domain without www.
If you have subdomains for various resources, it is better to use www to avoid cookies being distributed to all subdomains. Additionally, working with www at the DNS level makes it more convenient for things like load balancing and DDoS protection. In general, if you have a small personal website or business, you can use the domain without www, but if you plan to grow, it's better to use www from the beginning.
English-speaking customers tend to avoid the use of naked domain cookies, which are valid for all subdomains and pose security risks. This preference has been cultivated for centuries as a means of preventing potential troubles. Despite this, we often prioritize aesthetics over avoiding possible mistakes.
I too have sites without the "www" prefix, but I am beginning to reconsider their use. It's worth noting that the risk posed by naked domain cookies is less severe if there are no subdomains with separate services, and instead a redirect from the bare domain to the main site is used. However, it's still important to exercise caution when dealing with website security.
When directing all requests to the second level domain instead of the third, such as when updating DNS records for the second level, it can result in issues with organizing request balancing.
However, for an average website, the difference may not be significant and it is common practice to direct all requests to the second level.
The preference for using the www subdomain or the domain root in a website's address can vary depending on personal preference, cultural norms, and historical practices. There is no definitive right or wrong choice, as both approaches have their own pros and cons.
Using the www subdomain, such as www.example.com, has been the traditional way of indicating a website. It is widely recognized and familiar to many internet users. This approach also allows for easy differentiation between a website and other domain-related services, such as email (e.g., mail.example.com) or FTP (e.g., ftp.example.com). Additionally, some older systems or hosting configurations may require the www subdomain for proper functioning.
On the other hand, using the domain root, such as example.com, can provide a clean and minimalistic URL structure. It removes the need for the www subdomain, potentially making the website address shorter and easier to remember. In some cases, it may also be viewed as a more modern and streamlined approach. However, it is worth noting that in certain situations, using the domain root can cause conflicts with other subdomains or services, so careful configuration is necessary.
There are a few additional factors to consider when deciding between using the www subdomain or the domain root.
One consideration is branding and consistency. If you already have an established online presence with the www subdomain, it may be wise to continue using it for consistency's sake. This can help maintain brand recognition and avoid confusion for users who are familiar with your website under the www subdomain.
Search engine optimization (SEO) is another factor to consider. While using either the www subdomain or the domain root does not significantly impact SEO directly, consistency is key. It is important to choose one approach and stick with it consistently, ensuring that all backlinks and internal links point to the same version of the URL. This helps search engines index your website properly and avoids diluting your website's authority across multiple URLs.
In terms of technical considerations, some Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) or security measures may require specific configurations for either the www subdomain or the domain root. It is worth consulting with your hosting provider or technical team to ensure that your chosen approach aligns with any necessary configurations for optimal performance and security.
In summary, the choice between using the www subdomain or the domain root depends on various factors including personal preference, branding considerations, cultural norms, and technical requirements. Ultimately, what matters most is consistency and clear communication to users about the chosen approach.