172. The Hidden Risk of Registering Your Domain with Your Website Builder

In this episode of The Private Practice Elevation Podcast, Daniel breaks down an important but often overlooked topic: why you should register your domain separately from your website builder. First, he explains the difference between a domain and web hosting in easy-to-understand terms.  Think of your domain like the address of your practice online, while your web hosting is like the actual building where everything is stored.  Keeping your domain registration separate from your website builder (like Squarespace or Wix) is a smart move, giving you more control over your online presence. Daniel shares why using a dedicated domain registrar, like GoDaddy or Namecheap, is better than bundling everything with your website platform.  The biggest reasons? You'll have more flexibility to switch platforms when your practice grows or changes, and you'll get better security and support along the way. He also shares a real-life story about a client who ran into big problems when they needed to move their domain. Their website and email went offline for days because they had everything tied to their website builder. This could have been avoided with a simple change. By the end of the episode, you'll have a clear plan for how to set up your domain and website the right way, helping your private practice run smoothly from the start. Key Takeaways: Register your domain separately from your website builder to stay in control. It's easier to switch platforms, like moving from Squarespace to WordPress, when you use an independent domain registrar. Don't use your business email to set up your domain accounts. It's better to use a personal email so you can always access it. Companies like GoDaddy and Namecheap offer better security and support than bundling with website platforms. Real-life examples show the problems that can happen if you don't separate your domain and website accounts. Links mentioned in this episode: My Best Practice (EHR platform): privatepracticeelevation.com/mbpractice  (with free 3 months offer) Private Practice Elevation Kickoff Call (Clarity Call for website or SEO help): privatepracticeelevation.com/kickoff