If you’re setting up a website for a business in Nepal, one of the first questions you’ll face is simple: .com or .com.np? Both are perfectly good options. Which one suits you depends on three things: who your customers are, whether your business is registered in Nepal, and how soon you need the site live.
Here’s the short version. If your business is registered and most of your customers are in Nepal, go with .com.np. It costs nothing to register, and it tells visitors right away that you’re a local business. If your customers are mostly abroad, your business isn’t registered yet, or you need a domain today, a .com is the easier route.
You don’t always have to pick just one, either. Plenty of businesses own both and send visitors from one to the other.
Quick Answer: For the .com vs .com.np choice, .com.np suits registered Nepali businesses with local customers. It’s free through register.com.np, though you’ll need business documents and a few days for approval. A .com suits businesses with international customers or anyone who needs a domain immediately, and you buy it from a commercial registrar for a yearly fee. Many businesses register both and redirect one to the other.
- Free.com.np registration
- 3–4 DaysUsual .com.np approval time
- InstantUsual .com setup time
- BothMany businesses register two
How .com and .com.np Differ
A .com is a global domain. Anyone in any country can buy one from a commercial registrar, and it’s usually ready within minutes. You don’t need documents, and you can pick almost any name that’s still available.
A .com.np belongs to .np, Nepal’s country code domain (or ccTLD, a domain extension reserved for one country). The registry is Mercantile Communications Pvt. Ltd., and you can only register a .com.np through its official site, register.com.np. You won’t find .com.np names on international registrars.
Here’s how the two compare side by side:
| Factor | .com.np | .com |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Yearly fee, set by the registrar |
| Who can register | Local companies and organizations, Nepali citizens, and foreign entities with an official presence in Nepal | Anyone |
| Where to register | register.com.np only | Any commercial registrar |
| Documents needed | Yes, such as a company registration certificate | No |
| How long it takes | Usually three to four business days, sometimes more | Usually instant |
| Naming rules | Must be based on your company, product, service or brand name | Any available name |
| What it tells visitors | You’re connected to Nepal | Nothing about location |
When Each Domain Makes Sense
When .com.np Makes Sense
A .com.np works best for registered businesses whose customers are mostly in Nepal. A local clothing store such as Newish Fashion, for example, uses a .com.np, and shoppers can tell at a glance that it’s a Nepali business.
The price helps too. Registration under .np is free, so if you’ve been searching for a free domain in Nepal, this is it.
There’s also a quiet trust benefit. Because the registry checks documents before approving a name, a .com.np is tied to a real, registered business, not just whoever got there first.
When .com Is the Better Fit
A .com is usually the right call when your audience is international. A travel company like Discover Himalaya Nepal uses a .com, which feels familiar to visitors no matter where they’re browsing from.
It’s also the practical choice when you can’t meet the .com.np requirements yet. If your business isn’t registered, you can’t get a .com.np in its name, but you can buy a .com today.
Speed and flexibility matter as well. A .com can be live the same day, while a .com.np waits on document checks. And with a .com, your domain doesn’t have to match a registered company or brand name.
Should You Get Both?
For many businesses, yes. Owning both versions protects your name and catches people who type the “wrong” one.
The usual setup is to choose one as your main domain for the website and email, then redirect the other to it. A redirect simply sends anyone who visits the second address to your main site. Choose your main domain based on your audience: .com.np if you’re focused on Nepal, .com if you’re reaching people abroad.
How to Register a .com.np Domain
Everything happens on register.com.np, and every application is checked by hand.
- Step 1: Check if the name is freeSearch for it on register.com.np. Names go to whoever applies first.
- Step 2: Create an accountSign up with your email and verify it.
- Step 3: Fill in the applicationYou’ll add the domain, your contact details and your name servers. Name servers have to be full domain names like ns1.yourhost.com, not IP addresses. Your hosting provider can give you these.
- Step 4: Upload your documentsLocal businesses send a company, firm, partnership or organization registration certificate. Foreign entities in Nepal can send a branch or liaison office certificate or a Social Welfare Council affiliation, and non-incorporated entities can send a PAN certificate. A Nepal trademark registration is accepted too. Files need to be images, such as JPG or PNG, no larger than 800 KB.
- Step 5: Wait for approvalIt usually takes three to four business days, and longer if the registry has a backlog.
Foreign companies can apply too, but only with an official presence in Nepal, such as a joint venture, partnership, agent or licensee.
Tips for Choosing a Domain Name
- Start with your business or brand nameFor .com.np, the registry requires it, so build your domain around the name on your documents.
- Keep it shortShorter names are easier to type, easier to remember and easier to say over the phone.
- Think about how it will look in emailYour domain becomes part of every work address, like [email protected], so pick something that looks professional in someone’s inbox.
- Check both versions before you commitIf you only register one, a competitor could grab the other.
Does the Extension Affect SEO?
Not in any way that gives you a shortcut. Picking .com or .com.np won’t push you up the rankings on its own. What matters much more is useful content, a well-built site and the quality of the links pointing to it.
Once your site is live, links from other websites become part of how it’s judged. If you want those checked, services like Backlinks Nepal offer backlink audits.
Mistakes to Avoid
Application Mistakes
- Applying with a name that doesn’t match your documents. The registry only approves names based on your company, product, service or brand, so a mismatch can get you rejected.
- Using an IP address as a name server. The registry needs full domain names.
- Forgetting the content rules. Mercantile will suspend a site if it gets a formal complaint about illegal activity on it.
Planning Mistakes
- Expecting a .com.np overnight. Give yourself several business days before any launch date.
- Registering only one version. The other one stays open for anyone to take.
Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing & Cost
Which is better for a business in Nepal, .com or .com.np?
If your business is registered and your customers are mostly local, .com.np is a strong choice. It’s free and clearly Nepali. A .com is better for international audiences or businesses that aren’t registered yet.
Is a .com.np domain really free?
Yes. Registering under Nepal’s .np extension, including .com.np, is free through register.com.np.
Can I buy a .com.np from GoDaddy or Namecheap?
No. You can only register a .com.np through register.com.np.
Documents & Timeline
What documents do I need for a .com.np?
Most local businesses need their company, firm, partnership or organization registration certificate. Foreign entities in Nepal, non-incorporated entities and trademark holders have their own document options listed by the registry.
How long does .com.np registration take?
Usually three to four business days, sometimes longer when there are lots of pending applications.
Can a foreign company get a .com.np?
Yes, but only with an official presence in Nepal, such as a joint venture, partnership, agent or licensee, backed by documents.
Making the Call
The .com vs .com.np decision really comes down to two questions: who are your customers, and are you eligible? A registered business serving people in Nepal gets a free, local address with .com.np. A business with customers abroad, or one that needs a domain right now, is better off with .com.
If you’re unsure, register both and redirect one to the other. Need help with the setup? See our domain registration in Nepal page, or talk to our team. Once your domain is sorted, setting up professional email hosting in Nepal lets your whole team send email from your new address.
