How to Choose Between .com and .np Domain for Your Nepali Business
Table of Contents
We covered this topic comprehensively in our Domain Name Selection Guide. This article provides a quick-reference comparison for business owners making the specific .com vs .np decision.
Quick Decision Framework
| Your Situation | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Serving international customers | .com | Global recognition |
| Serving Nepal only | .com.np | Local credibility |
| Tourism business | .com (with .com.np redirect) | Tourists default to .com |
| Government/education | .np | Official Nepal identity |
| Startup with growth ambitions | .com | Maximum flexibility |
| Can afford both | .com + .com.np | Brand protection + flexibility |
Need help with this? NepTechPal offers free consultations for businesses in Nepal.
Cost and Registration Comparison
| Extension | Annual Cost (NPR) | Registration Time | Where to Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| .com | 1,500-2,500 | Instant | Any global registrar |
| .com.np | 1,000-2,000 | 1-3 business days | Mercantile Communications |
| .np | Free | 3-14 business days | NTC |
SEO Impact
The domain extension has minimal direct impact on Google rankings. .com.np provides a slight signal for Nepal-targeted searches, but content quality, technical SEO, and backlinks matter far more.
Best strategy: Register both .com and .com.np. Use one as primary, redirect the other. This costs NPR 2,500-4,500/year total — minimal for brand protection.
For comprehensive guidance, read our full domain name selection guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I register .np for free?
Yes, through NTC. The process requires Nepali citizenship/organization documents and takes 3-14 business days. No annual fee, but renewal is required.
Is .com or .com.np better for SEO in Nepal?
For Nepal-targeted searches: negligible difference. Focus on SEO fundamentals (content, speed, links) rather than domain extension.
Should I use both?
Yes — register both and redirect one to the other. NPR 3,000-4,500/year for complete brand protection is a worthwhile investment.
Can NepTechPal register domains for me?
Yes. NepTechPal handles domain registration for both .com and .com.np as part of our web development services, always registered in YOUR name.
Need domain registration help? NepTechPal handles domains as part of our web services. Contact us at neptechpal.com.np
Related Articles:
– Domain Name Selection Guide Nepal
– Web Hosting Nepal 2026
– Web Development Pokhara
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