Domain registration in Nepal is the first step for any website — yet it's surrounded by confusion, especially around Nepal-specific TLDs like .com.np, .org.np, and .np. This guide gives you everything you need: which domain to choose, how to register each type, how to manage DNS, and how to protect your investment for years to come.

Understanding the Nepal Domain Landscape

Nepal's domain market includes both internationally available TLDs (available through any global registrar) and Nepal-specific TLDs managed by Mercantile Communications Pvt. Ltd. (MOSP), the country's official domain registry under the IANA delegation.

The Free .com.np Domain: Nepal's Unique Advantage

One of Nepal's most significant hosting market advantages is the free .com.np domain. Unlike virtually every other country TLD, .com.np domain registration is completely free for Nepali citizens and organizations and renews annually for free indefinitely.

Who Can Register a .com.np Domain?

  • Nepali citizens: With a valid citizenship certificate (Nagarikta Praman Patra)
  • Registered Nepali businesses: With company registration certificate from OCR
  • NGOs and non-profits: With SWC registration
  • Foreign nationals living in Nepal: With valid passport and Nepali address proof

The .com.np Registration Process (Step by Step)

  1. Visit register.com.np (Mercantile Communications portal)
  2. Create an account with a valid email address
  3. Search for your desired domain name — you'll get immediate availability confirmation
  4. Fill in the application form with accurate WHOIS details (name, email, phone, address)
  5. Upload scanned documentation (citizenship certificate — both sides — as clear PDF or JPEG)
  6. Submit the application
  7. Wait 1–3 business days for MOSP verification
  8. Upon approval, update nameservers via the MOSP portal to point to your hosting provider
Critical tip: Ensure your uploaded citizenship document is clearly legible. Blurry or cropped scans are the #1 reason for .com.np application rejections, which delay your domain by another 1–3 business days.

Choosing the Right Domain Name

Your domain name is a long-term investment. Changing it later means losing all your SEO authority and backlinks. Follow these principles:

Keep It Short

Under 15 characters is ideal. Shorter domains are easier to remember, type, and share verbally. "websnp.com" beats "websnpwebhostingcompanynepal.com" in every measurable way.

Use Your Brand Name

If you have a business name, use it as your domain. Keyword-based domains (e.g., bestwebhostingnepal.com) once had SEO advantages that no longer exist — Google neutralized exact-match domain benefits years ago.

Avoid Hyphens and Numbers

Hyphenated domains (my-business.com) are associated with spam and are difficult to communicate verbally. Numbers (my1stbusiness.com) create ambiguity (is it "one" or "1"?).

Check Trademark Availability

Before registering, search Nepal's Department of Industry trademark database to ensure you're not infringing on an existing trademark. Domain registration does not protect you from trademark infringement claims.

Domain DNS Management Essentials

After registration, DNS configuration determines where your domain points. The most important DNS records:

  • A Record: Points your domain to your hosting server's IP address. Example: @ → 103.248.42.11
  • CNAME Record: Creates an alias. www → @ makes www.yourdomain.com point to the same place as yourdomain.com
  • MX Record: Directs email to your mail server. Essential for professional email hosting.
  • TXT Record: Used for domain verification (Google Search Console), SPF email authentication, and DKIM records
  • NS Record: Specifies which nameservers are authoritative for your domain. These are set during registration and point to your hosting provider.

Domain Renewal: Protecting Your Investment

Losing your domain because of a missed renewal is a catastrophic and surprisingly common mistake. Protect yourself:

  • Enable auto-renewal in your registrar account — this is the single most important action
  • Keep your email address current — renewal notices go to your registered email
  • Set calendar reminders 30 and 7 days before expiry as backup
  • Never let a domain expire — expired domains enter a "redemption period" (60 days) where recovery costs NPR 5,000–15,000 extra, and after that they are released to the public and can be registered by anyone

Domain Transfer: Moving Your Domain to a New Registrar

If you want to transfer your .com domain between registrars:

  1. Ensure the domain is at least 60 days old (ICANN policy)
  2. Unlock the domain in your current registrar's panel
  3. Request the EPP/Authorization Code from your current registrar
  4. Initiate the transfer at the new registrar using this code
  5. Approve the transfer via email within 5 days
  6. Transfer completes in 5–7 days and adds 1 year to the expiry date

Register your domain through WebsNP — instant .com registration with eSewa/Khalti payment, free DNS management, free WHOIS privacy, and our team available for DNS configuration assistance.