As part of its evolving digital strategy to create individual websites, as opposed to grouping titles within themed portals, Conde Nast is spinning its W title out of its slot on Style.com. The new standalone site, Wmagazine.com, will be in beta until its official launch in January, AdAge reports.

The separation of W from Style.com will be emulated again over the next year, when Conde Nast moves Gourmet and Bon Appetit out of Epicurious.com. Conde Nast Traveler, currently a channel section on Concierge.com, will get a standalone website by 2009.

Conde Nast isn’t completely abandoning the destination portal idea, however. The new standalone titles will maintain some ties to their former web homes. The original purpose behind creating the larger sites reflected Conde Nast’s uncertainty about adequately translating its print properties to the web. Now, having grown more comfortable with the two sides of its business, the company feels it can experiment and be more flexible. 

• Conde Nast Takes Away Operations Of Magazine Websites From CondeNet