- .com.np domains are free — so why do Nepal's biggest brands still pay for .com?
- The answer involves SEO, trust, international reach, and brand control.
- Here is the definitive 2026 comparison for Nepali business owners.
One of the most common questions from Nepali entrepreneurs starting their online presence: "Should I get a .com or a .com.np?" The answer is nuanced — and it depends on your audience, your ambitions, and your brand strategy. Let's break it down with data.
The .com.np Domain: What You Need to Know
.com.np is Nepal's official country-code top-level domain (ccTLD), managed by Mercantile Communications. Until 2021, it cost NRS 5,000+/year for registration. Today, it is free for registered Nepali businesses — a landmark policy change that democratized local domain access.
Eligibility for .com.np
- Registered business in Nepal (company registration certificate required)
- PAN or VAT registration certificate
- Domain name must closely match your registered company name
- Individual registrations are not eligible (you must be a registered entity)
Other .np Extensions Available
| Extension | Purpose | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| .com.np | Commercial businesses | Free |
| .org.np | Non-profits, organizations | Free |
| .edu.np | Educational institutions | Free |
| .gov.np | Government entities | Free |
| .net.np | Network/ISP providers | Free |
The .com Domain: Global Standard
.com is the world's most recognized domain extension with over 160 million registrations. It carries implicit global trust — users instinctively type .com when unsure. It is managed by Verisign and available to anyone, anywhere, with no document requirements.
Annual cost: NRS 1,200–2,200/year through WebsNP
SEO Comparison: .com vs. .com.np for Nepal
| SEO Factor | .com.np | .com |
|---|---|---|
| Google Nepal local ranking | Strong (geotargeting signal) | Neutral (depends on server/GSC settings) |
| International SEO | Weak (Nepal-restricted signal) | Strong (global neutrality) |
| Google Search Console targeting | Auto-targeted to Nepal | Manually targetable to any country |
| Domain authority potential | Equal (authority is earned) | Equal (authority is earned) |
| HTTPS/SSL support | Full support | Full support |
Trust and Perception Signals
Research on user trust and domain extensions shows:
- Nepali government agencies, banks, and telecos use .com.np — giving it strong institutional credibility locally
- International partners, investors, and B2B clients instinctively trust .com for its global recognition
- E-commerce customers in Nepal show no statistically significant preference for either extension
The 2026 Recommendation by Use Case
| Business Type | Recommended Extension | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Local service business (restaurant, salon, school) | .com.np | Strong local SEO + trust signal |
| E-commerce (Nepal only) | .com.np or .com | Both work; .com has more brand flexibility |
| SaaS / Tech startup (global ambition) | .com | International customers trust .com |
| NGO / Non-profit | .org.np | Institutional credibility |
| News / Media | .com.np | Local authority signal for news |
| Personal brand / Freelancer | .com | Flexibility + global reach |
The Best Practice: Secure Both
Nepal's fastest-growing brands — from Daraz to Foodmandu — register both .com and .com.np and redirect one to the other. This costs under NRS 2,500/year total and ensures:
- No competitor can register the .com.np equivalent of your .com brand
- No cybersquatter can register your brand on the other extension
- Both local and global SEO signals are protected
The .com.np is free, but the brand protection of securing your .com is priceless. Register both — it costs less than one business card print run.
WebsNP handles both .com and .com.np registrations with full DNS management and hosting integration. Register your domain today or contact us for help choosing the right extension.
