Should You Separate the Explanation Site and the Operational Site, or Combine Them?

Whether to separate the explanation (informational) site and the operational (service) site depends on several key considerations. Here’s an overview to help you decide:

1. User Purpose and Needs

• If you separate them: It allows you to cater to different user intents. An explanation site can focus solely on providing information and guidance, while the operational site can concentrate on user interactions and services. This separation makes each site more purpose-driven.
• If you combine them: Users can seamlessly transition from learning about the service to using it. For example, linking directly from a guide to the service itself creates a smoother experience, as users can go from information-gathering to service use in one place, which can enhance overall user experience.

2. SEO and Traffic

• If you separate them: The explanation site, as an information hub, is likely to perform well in search engine rankings. Content-rich sites often attract more traffic, so separating this from the operational site may help increase overall visitor numbers.
• If you combine them: Combining both into one domain can strengthen your site’s domain authority and improve SEO across the entire site. With integrated content, the domain may rank higher as a whole, making it easier for users to find both informational content and the service itself.

3. Operational and Maintenance Efficiency

• If you separate them: You can manage each site independently, potentially with different teams or systems. However, this may increase the maintenance workload, as each site will require updates and consistent oversight. Additionally, managing consistent user information or design across both sites can become challenging.
• If you combine them: Having everything in one place allows for streamlined content management and consistent branding. Maintenance is often more efficient as there’s a single system for updates and content additions, which can lead to a smoother user experience.

4. Branding and User Experience

• If you separate them: This approach enables clear brand messaging tailored to each purpose—an information-focused brand for the explanation site and a service-focused brand for the operational site. Users may find this separation helpful as it clarifies the purpose of each site and can enhance user experience.
• If you combine them: You can create a unified brand experience, which can simplify the user journey. Users are less likely to get lost or confused, and you can integrate direct pathways from information pages to services, which can boost conversions.

Conclusion

• If you prioritize high information volume and SEO or traffic generation, separating the sites may be beneficial.
• If you prioritize a seamless user experience and maintenance efficiency, combining the sites may be ideal.

Ultimately, the best choice depends on your goals, resources, and user needs. Use these points as a guide to determine which approach will offer the best user experience.