Getting a domain name is one of the first steps one takes while launching a website, a blog, or a personal project. After preparing all the content and designing the layout, it is not uncommon that one pauses and gazes in disbelief at the prices listed on the domain registrar’s website. Domain names with popular extensions such as .com, .org, or .net require annual payments, a daunting task for a new website owner.
Nepalese citizens and local businesses can rejoice! They now have the opportunity to register a professional looking .com.np domain name without having to pay any registration or renewal fees.
A free .com.np domain is perfect for bloggers, students, developers, freelancers, and businesses. This guide goes over what the extension entails and how to register for a free .com.np website domain via the official portal.
What is a .com.np Domain?
The .com.np is a country-code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Nepal’s commercial sites. It falls under Mercantile Communications’ jurisdiction in Nepal.
Unlike most extensions, .com.np requires no annual payments or registration costs for eligible Nepalese citizens. That said, it may take some time before one can register their desired domain name. The application is reviewed by a team of domain moderators. In addition, the domain name has to be related somehow to the legal name of the applicant.
The Main Requirement
The most important rule about registering a .com.np website domain is that your domain name has to be related to your legal name somehow.
For Personal Websites
Your personal website domain name has to be either your full name, a short form of it, or an obvious abbreviation. For example, if you are Aayush Sharma, you can go with any of the following:
yournamecast.com.np
yourname.com.np
ycast.com.np
But you cannot go with besttechblog.com.np if you are registering the domain as an individual. A personal website domain name should always reflect one’s legal name. One should check their government-issued ID to see what their full name is.
For Businesses
A business domain name, on the other hand, should be related to the company name. One may need to submit documents verifying the company name before the domain name gets approved.
Examples of such documents are the company’s registration certificate, PAN registration certificate, or a business registration certificate, depending on the type of business one owns. Double-check that the company name on the document matches the domain name. Everything has to be spelled out correctly.
How to Register a Free .com.np Domain
The entire registration process for a .com.np domain is done online. One has to have an identity document and a hosting service prepared before going through with the process.
Step 1: Find an Available Domain Name
Go to the registration portal, sign in or create an account, and look for a domain name. There is no need to add “.com.np” while searching. The portal will display whether or not the name is available.
If the name one wants is taken, they should try out their middle name, name initials, or other variations of their name that still make sense. The domain name has to be related to one’s legal name somehow.
Step 2: Register & Verify Email
There are two options to choose from when registering for a .com.np website domain: Register or Create Account . Provide an email address and a secure password. One will also have to fill out some personal details before submitting the request. After submitting the application, one will get a confirmation email. Click on the link to verify the email address. It is best to use an email address one checks regularly as one may get updates via email.
Step 3: Fill Out Personal Information
Log in and navigate to the domain registration portal. Fill out the necessary fields. Some information that may be requested are as follows:
- Domain name (e.g. yourname .com.np)
- Personal or Company Information
- Name server
- Contact information
Name servers are what connect one’s domain name to their hosting service. They can be obtained from a hosting provider, such as Cloudflare, Vercel, or any other.
It is best to set up a hosting plan first and copy the Primary and Secondary name servers provided there and paste them on the registration portal. The wrong name servers can cause problems with the website’s uptime.
Step 4: Upload Required Documents
One will have to upload a copy of their Citizenship Certificate if they are registering the domain name as an individual. If registering the domain name as a company, one will have to upload the relevant documents verifying the company name.
Some common issues that may arise at this point are:
- Uploading a blurry or smudged document
- Uploading a document with the wrong file extension
- Uploading a document with a name that doesn’t make sense
- Uploading a document with incorrect information
- The document provided does not match the provided personal information
- Uploading a document with too large of a file size
- Here are some pointers to avoid these issues:
- Make sure the front and back of the document are visible.
- Avoid file sizes that are too large. The maximum size allowed will be specified on the portal.
- Make sure all information is legible.
- Use the same first and last name on the application as on your document.
- Avoid uploading a file that has been cropped or has a shadow.
Step 5: Submit Application for Review
Before submitting one’s application, make sure all information has been filled out correctly. Double-check the spelling of the domain name, personal information, the document, and the name servers. Upon submission, the domain name status should change from “Pending” to “Verified” after a team of moderators has reviewed the application. It may take up to 48 hours for domain names to be approved, depending on weekends and public holidays.
After the domain name has been approved, it should be connected to a hosting service. It may take a few hours for DNS propagation to occur before one’s website can be viewed on the internet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a .com.np domain free for life?
Registering and renewing a .com.np domain name for eligible citizens is free of charge according to Nepal’s domain name registration system. However, one will have to pay extra for other services, such as web hosting, emails, or website builders.
Keep in mind that one must abide by the .com.np domain name registration rules and have valid information at all times, since the policies can change.
Why was my application rejected?
The most common reason for a rejected .com.np application is that the domain name does not match the name on the document. Other common reasons for rejections are:
- Blurred or unclear document
- Name mismatch
- Incorrect name servers
- Incomplete information
- Inappropriate file type
- Document relates to another person or company
- One should review the error message and fix the issue before resubmitting the application.
Can I change my name servers?
Yes, one can always update their name servers. Log in and navigate to the area for managing their domain name. Update the Primary and Secondary Name Servers with the ones provided by their web hosting provider. The changes should take effect within a few hours.
These changes may take longer to process depending on the network one is using. The same domain name will remain connected to the same web hosting service.
Conclusion
A free .com.np domain is a great opportunity for students, bloggers, professionals, developers, and businesses. One can get a professional and affordable domain name perfect for a blog, a portfolio, or a company website. Just make sure to pick a domain name that reflects one’s legal name and fill out all information accurately. A hosting service only has to be set up after the domain name has been successfully registered.