How to install domain-architecture
npx skills add https://github.com/kostja94/marketing-skills --skill domain-architectureFull instructions (SKILL.md)
Source of truth, from kostja94/marketing-skills.
name: domain-architecture description: When the user wants to decide domain structure for multiple products or brands—subfolder vs subdomain vs independent domain. Also use when the user mentions "subfolder vs subdomain," "subdirectory vs subdomain," "multiple products domain," "multiple websites," "brand architecture," "branded house," "house of brands," "where to host product," "domain structure," or "hub-spoke domain." For brand SERP, use multi-domain-brand-seo. metadata: version: 1.0.1
Strategy: Domain Architecture
Guides domain structure decisions for multiple products or brands: subfolder (subdirectory), subdomain, or independent domain. Covers brand architecture (Branded House vs House of Brands) and Hub-Spoke principles when multiple domains coexist. See domain-selection for initial domain choice (Brand/PMD/EMD, TLD); website-structure for single-domain page planning; rebranding-strategy for domain change and migration; multi-domain-brand-seo for brand search optimization.
When invoking: On first use, if helpful, open with 1–2 sentences on what this skill covers and why it matters, then provide the main output. On subsequent use or when the user asks to skip, go directly to the main output.
Initial Assessment
Check for project context first: If .claude/project-context.md or .cursor/project-context.md exists, read it for product portfolio and growth goals.
Identify:
- Product count: Single product vs multiple products/brands
- Brand strategy: Unified brand vs distinct brands
- Current state: Planning from scratch vs consolidating existing domains
- Constraints: Tech stack, team, budget
Domain Structure Options
| Structure | Example | SEO Authority | Brand Independence | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subfolder | company.com/product-a | Shared with main domain | Low | Products under one brand; SMB; content consolidation |
| Subdomain | product.company.com | Treated separately by Google | Medium | Separate product experience; tech isolation; support/docs |
| Independent domain | product.ai | None shared | High | Acquired brands; different markets; distinct brand identity |
When to Use Each
| Choose | When |
|---|---|
| Subfolder | Products share value proposition; want to strengthen main domain; SMB; blog, tools, features under one brand |
| Subdomain | Need separate tech stack (e.g., app vs marketing); support portal; docs; distinct UX but same brand |
| Independent domain | House of Brands; acquired company; different audience; different TLD (e.g., .ai for AI product) |
SEO consensus: Subfolders typically outperform subdomains for most cases—authority flows to the main domain. Subdomains require separate SEO effort.
Brand Architecture
| Model | Description | Domain Tendency | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Branded House | One master brand; products use functional descriptors | Subfolder or subdomain | Google (google.com/search, google.com/maps), FedEx |
| House of Brands | Each brand independent; parent hidden | Independent domains | Unilever (dove.com, axe.com) |
| Sub-brands / Endorsed | Sub-brands with parent endorsement | Subdomain or independent | FedEx Express, Marriott Bonvoy |
Decision factors: Business strategy, market positioning, product overlap, resource availability.
Hub-Spoke (Multiple Domains Coexist)
When company main site (company.com) and product site (product.ai) both exist:
| Role | Domain | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Hub | company.com | Brand, About, Research, product matrix; brand queries |
| Spoke | product.ai | Product features, pricing, signup; product queries |
Principles:
- Hub links to Spoke (Products section); Spoke links back (About, Footer, "A [Company] product")
- Spoke avoids competing for brand queries in Title; Hub avoids competing for product keywords
- See multi-domain-brand-seo for brand search optimization.
Output Format
- Recommendation (subfolder / subdomain / independent) with rationale
- Brand architecture fit (Branded House / House of Brands / Sub-brands)
- Domain mapping (e.g., product A → company.com/product-a)
- Hub-Spoke guidance (if multiple domains)
- Related next steps (website-structure, rebranding-strategy)
Related Skills
- domain-selection: Initial domain choice (Brand/PMD/EMD, TLD); single-site use case
- website-structure: Plan pages within a domain; single-domain structure
- rebranding-strategy: Domain change, 301 redirects, migration
- multi-domain-brand-seo: Brand search control when Hub and Spoke coexist
- branding: Brand strategy, positioning; domain architecture implements brand structure
Related skills
More from kostja94/marketing-skills and the wider catalog.
domain-selection
When the user wants to choose an SEO-friendly domain for a new site—brand vs keyword domain, TLD selection, or domain best practices. Also use when the user mentions "domain choice," "pick domain," "SEO-friendly domain," "brand domain," "EMD," "PMD," "exact match domain," "partial match domain," "TLD," ".ai domain," ".com vs .io," "domain length," "domain history," or "defensive domain registration." For migration, use rebranding-strategy.
download-page-generator
When the user wants to create, optimize, or audit a download page for desktop or mobile app. Also use when the user mentions "download page," "app download," "desktop download," "mobile app download," "App Store," "Play Store," "get the app," "install app," or "download CTA." For app install ads, use app-ads.
education-program
When the user wants to plan, implement, or optimize student and education discount programs. Also use when the user mentions "student discount," "education discount," "student plan," "for students," ".edu discount," "academic pricing," "student verification," "SheerID," "UNiDAYS," or "education program." For startup pricing page, use startups-page-generator.
eeat-signals
When the user wants to improve E-E-A-T, add trust signals, or optimize for expertise and authority. Also use when the user mentions "E-E-A-T," "E-E-A-T signals," "experience expertise authority trust," "author bio," "YMYL," "trust signals," "expertise signals," "authority signals," "citations," "references," or "credibility." For headings, use heading-structure.
email-marketing
When the user wants to plan email marketing, EDM, newsletter strategy, or email deliverability. Also use when the user mentions "email marketing," "EDM," "newsletter," "SPF," "DKIM," "DMARC," "email deliverability," "email content strategy," "email campaigns," "newsletter strategy," "email automation," or "cold email." For signup UI, use newsletter-signup-generator.
employee-generated-content
When the user wants to plan, implement, or optimize employee-generated content (EGC) or employee advocacy. Also use when the user mentions "EGC," "employee advocacy," "employee content," "internal brand ambassadors," "employee social media," "employee advocacy program," "staff advocacy," "LinkedIn employee posts," or "brand ambassador program." For LinkedIn, use linkedin-posts.