The Foundation of Your Digital Practice: How to Choose Domain and Hosting Without Losing Patient Trust?

A name that builds authority

Avoid abstract names unless you're building a large practice as a brand. For private practice, the best choice is firstnamelastname.pl or psychologist-lastname.pl. This builds a personal brand. If your last name is difficult, consider a descriptive name, e.g., psychotherapy-city.pl, which also supports local SEO.

Remember: a short, easy-to-remember domain means fewer errors when patients type the address. Avoid hyphens where possible – it's easier to say "psychologistkowalski.pl" than "psychologist-kowalski-pl.pl".

Extension matters

In Poland, the absolute standard is the .pl ending. It builds the greatest trust among local audiences. Extensions like .com are good if you plan international activity, but avoid endings like .biz, .info, or cheap regional domains (e.g., .waw.pl), which may look less professional.

Tip: Check domain availability with trusted Polish registrars who don't hide renewal costs. Often "cheap" promotional offers end up with higher costs in subsequent years.

Speed and availability

Patients expect a page to load within 2-3 seconds. Slow hosting means not only user frustration but also lower Google rankings. Choose hosting with SSD, which offers fast server response times.

Check the uptime guarantee – it should be at least 99.9%. This means your website will be available for more than 99.9% of the time per year. Every minute of downtime is potentially a lost patient.

Data security

As a psychologist, you process sensitive data. Hosting must meet GDPR requirements. Choose a provider that offers:

• SSL encryption (HTTPS certificate) – mandatory for sites with contact forms

• Regular backups – at least daily

• Protection against DDoS attacks and malware

• Server location in the EU (GDPR requirement for EU citizen data)

Technical support

When the website is down, you need help immediately. Choose hosting with Polish technical support available 24/7. Check reviews about response time – professional providers respond within an hour, the best within 15 minutes.

Avoid hosting that offers support only via email or form. In an emergency, you need direct contact.

Pitfall 1: "Free" hosting

Free hosting often means: slow loading, ads on your site, no support, and risk of data loss. In the medical industry, this is unacceptable. Investment in professional hosting costs around 200-500 PLN per year – little in the context of building patient trust.

Pitfall 2: Lack of domain ownership

Make sure the domain is registered in your name, not in the name of the company that created the website. Otherwise, you may lose access to the domain if you change service providers. Check in WHOIS whose name the domain is registered.

Pitfall 3: Hidden costs

Read contracts carefully. Some companies offer "cheap" hosting but later charge additional fees for: domain renewal, backups, SSL certificates, technical support. Ask about the total cost for 2-3 years upfront.

Step 1: Check domain availability

Use domain availability checking tools (e.g., on the registrar's website). Also check versions with different extensions (.pl, .com) and reserve the best option.

Step 2: Compare hosting offers

Check at least 3-4 providers. Pay attention to: server location (EU), uptime guarantee, support availability, costs in subsequent years (not just the first year).

Step 3: Read reviews

Look for reviews from other users, especially those who have been using hosting for more than a year. Check industry forums and Facebook groups for psychologists/therapists.

Step 4: Start with a small package

You don't have to invest in the most expensive package right away. Most private practices start with basic hosting. You can always expand the offer when the site needs more resources.