Choosing the Right Domain for Your Consulting Practice

Consulting is a trust business. Clients pay for expertise they can't easily verify before hiring. Your domain is part of the credibility package alongside credentials, testimonials, and referrals.

The naming decision splits cleanly: solo consultants usually use personal names (JaneSmith.com), while firms use abstract names (Accenture) or partner-based names (McKinsey). Your growth plans determine which path makes sense.

Solo Consultant Domains

If you are the product, use your name. Clients hiring a solo consultant want access to you specifically. JaneSmithConsulting.com or JaneSmith.com both work. The name reinforces that you're the expert they'll work with.

Common name? Add differentiation. Include your middle initial, location, or specialty. ChicagoSmith.com or SmithLeadership.com stand out from generic JohnSmith attempts.

Firm Domains

Growing beyond yourself? Consider names that outlast any partner. Bain, BCG, and Deloitte don't obviously connect to founders anymore. Abstract names build firm equity rather than personal brand.

Partner-based names (Smith & Jones) work for smaller firms but create complications when partners leave or new ones join. Consider this before committing.

Naming Patterns That Work

[Name]Consulting.com: Direct and clear. Works for solo practitioners building a personal brand. Signals exactly what you do.

[Name]Partners.com: Implies a team even if you're solo. Adds weight and suggests collaborative expertise. Common among financial and management consultants.

[Specialty]Advisors.com: Leads with expertise. GrowthAdvisors, TalentAdvisors. Works when your specialty matters more than your name to clients.

[Abstract]Group.com: Professional and scalable. Meridian Group, Pinnacle Group. Allows expansion without rebrand.

TLD Recommendations

.com dominates professional services. Enterprise clients expect it. Email from .com domains has the best deliverability to corporate inboxes.

.consulting clearly signals your profession. Good availability makes it easier to get your preferred name. Works well for established consultants.

.partners works for multi-partner firms. Looks professional on business cards. Less common, which helps you stand out.

Mistakes to Avoid

Don't be too clever. Consulting clients want competence, not creativity. Save the wordplay for consumer brands.

Don't use new or unfamiliar TLDs with enterprise clients. Fortune 500 companies may have spam filters that treat unknown TLDs skeptically.

Don't include buzzwords that date quickly. "Agile" and "Digital" may feel dated in five years. Timeless names age better.