1.3 Website and Email Setup

Last updated: July 23, 2026

Buying a Website Domain and Setting Up Email

A professional domain name and email address can make your practice look more established and trustworthy to clients, referral partners, and payers.

A website is optional — you can run your practice without one, and many owners start that way. However, having a non-personal, HIPAA-compliant email is required if you will be sending or receiving any Protected Health Information (PHI).

You have two options:

  1. Use an Alpaca-provided email — Ask Michael to create a HIPAA-compliant Alpaca email for you (you can keep it temporarily or permanently).

  2. Set up your own HIPAA-compliant email tied to a domain you own.

Step 1: Choosing and Buying Your Domain

What's a domain? A domain is your practice's online address (e.g., www.YourPracticeName.com).

Tips for picking a domain:

  • Keep it short, easy to spell, and easy to remember.

  • Avoid hyphens, numbers, or overly long names.

  • Match your practice name or use something simple like YourNameABA.com.

  • Choose ".com" if possible — it's the most recognized and trusted.

Where to buy:

  • Namecheap, Porkbun, and Squarespace Domains are reputable registrars.

  • Expect to pay $10–20/year for a standard .com domain.

⚠ Note: Google Domains is no longer an option — Google sold its domain registration business to Squarespace in September 2023, and all Google Domains accounts fully migrated to Squarespace by mid-2024. If you already have a Google Domains account, it's now managed through Squarespace.

Step 2: Setting Up HIPAA-Compliant Email

Why personal email won't work:

  • Free Gmail/Yahoo/Outlook accounts are not HIPAA-compliant.

  • Google Workspace (business Gmail) or Microsoft 365 Business can be made HIPAA-compliant if you execute a Business Associate Agreement (BAA).

Options:

  1. Alpaca Email

    • HIPAA-compliant from day one.

    • Ready to use right away.

    • Can be your permanent address or a starting point until you have your own domain.

  2. Your Own Domain Email

    • Buy a domain and link it to a HIPAA-compliant email service.

    • Popular choices: Google Workspace, Microsoft 365 Business.

    • Make sure to request and sign a BAA with your provider.

    • Here's a guide to signing a BAA with Google

Step 3: Creating a Website (Optional)

You do not need a website to start seeing clients — Alpaca can send you leads without one. However, a simple website can:

  • Increase trust with parents and referral sources.

  • Help families find you online.

  • Provide a central place for service info, contact details, and intake forms.

Recommendation:

  • Use a no-code website builder so you can launch quickly.

  • Durable is an AI-powered option that can create a professional site in minutes. Other options: Wix, Squarespace, Webflow.

  • Include:

    • Your name and credentials

    • Services offered

    • Areas you serve

    • How to contact you (phone, HIPAA-secure form)

    • A short welcome message and your photo/logo