Choosing the Right Domain Name and Extension for Your Practice

Your domain name is often the very first impression someone has of your practice. It sits on your business card, your email signature, and in your clients’ memories. Pick wisely, and you’ll communicate clarity, trust, and professionalism before your client even clicks. If you’re still naming your practice, read: Use ChatGPT to brainstorm practice names. If you’ve got a name and want help finding real, available domains, try: Use ChatGPT to research available domains for your practice.

Here’s how to choose the right domain—and domain extension—to make that first impression count.

1. Pick a Trusted Extension: The Value of Familiarity

.com remains the gold standard—it’s the most recognized, remembered, and trusted extension. Many therapy practices with long-term goals benefit from .com’s gravitas.

Specialty extensions like .health, .healthcare, .doctor, .med, .clinic, or .wellness immediately convey what you do. They build instant credibility—especially for solo therapists, wellness coaches, or clinics—by signaling professional relevance.

Less common TLDs like .io can feel trendy, but they’re usually favored by tech-centric startups and may not serve wellness pros best.

2. Keep the Name Short, Simple, and Client-Friendly

Shorter domains are easier to remember, type, and share—especially verbally or on business cards. Aim for 15 characters or fewer when you can.

Avoid hyphens and numbers—they’re often confusing (did they type “5” or “five”? did they remember the dash?).

Make sure your domain is spellable—don’t use slang, abbreviations, or words with multiple spellings. Your clients should pass the “radio test”: if they hear it spoken, they can type it easily.

3. Make It Memorable and Future-Proof

Use keywords thoughtfully—like “therapy,” “wellness,” or “coach”—if they serve your brand and help a bit with clarity or search. But don’t force long phrases—prioritize simplicity and readability.

Future-proof your domain if you plan to grow or sell your practice. Avoid name structures that tie too tightly to one person or location—unless that aligns with your long-term vision.

4. Think Through Domain Extensions Thoughtfully

ExtensionBest ForWhy It’s a Match for Your Practice.comGeneral businesses and broad trustMost recognizable and easy for clients to remember and type..health / .healthcareWellness-focused sites, clinicsClearly communicates health services and credibility..doctor / .clinic / .medMedical professionals, clinicsStrong specialization signal for clinical settings..orgNonprofits, community-focused practicesConveys purpose-driven values and mission..ioInnovative or tech-forward wellness brandsModern feel, but less intuitive for general audiences.

5. Practical Naming Tips for Your Practice

Short & local-friendly: Keep it under 15 characters if possible, so it fits comfortably in emails or on business cards—especially for longer practice names.

Location-based names can help local SEO and memorability (“DenverTherapy.com”), especially if you serve your community directly.

Incorporate your brand when possible. If your practice has a unique name, use it—but ensure it’s easy to spell and say aloud.

6. Brainstorm Name Ideas That Land

Think of three approaches and draft a short list:

What You Do + Format
• CalmCoach.com
• MindfulTherapy.health

Location + Service (if local focus matters)
• BoulderWellness.com
• DenverNutritionClinic.healthcare

Brand + Extension
• EvolvvTherapy.com
• Evolvv.wellness

Then run them through the checklist:

• Is it short and easy to spell?

• Does it fit on a business card or email signature?

• Does the extension support credibility and clarity?

• Will it still make sense as your practice evolves?

Final Thought from Pete at Evolvv

Your domain name is a quiet yet powerful first handshake with your ideal future client. It needs to be clear, trustworthy, and aligned with your heart-centered practice. Whenever possible, stick with .com for its ease and recognition—but if you’d rather signal your wellness or medical focus right away, one of the specialized extensions can add clarity with elegance.