Starting an online store in Nepal? One of your first decisions is how to accept payments. This guide walks you through every option - from the simplest (payment links) to the fully integrated (API + webhooks) - so you can choose what fits your stage.
Stage 1: Just Starting Out (0-10 orders/month)
If you're validating a business idea or just starting, you don't need a full checkout integration.
Use payment links. Create a PayBridgeNP account, generate a link for each order, and send it to customers via WhatsApp or Instagram DMs. No code, no website needed.
This sounds manual, but it's perfect for testing whether customers will actually buy your product before investing in a full store.
Stage 2: Small Store (10-100 orders/month)
Now you have a real business. You need a proper e-commerce store with checkout.
Option A: WooCommerce
WooCommerce powers over 60% of online stores in Nepal. If you're on WordPress, it's the natural choice.
Cost: Free (WordPress + WooCommerce are free; hosting costs NPR 800-3,000/month)
Setup:
- Install WooCommerce on your WordPress site
- Install PayBridgeNP WooCommerce plugin
- Connect your PayBridgeNP account
- Start selling
Pros: Full control, huge plugin ecosystem, SEO-friendly, low cost
Cons: Needs some technical know-how for setup and maintenance
Option B: Shopify
Shopify is the fastest way to get a professional-looking store live without touching code.
Cost: ~NPR 2,500-4,000/month for basic plan
Setup:
- Create a Shopify account
- Install PayBridgeNP from the Shopify App Store
- Configure your products
- Start selling
Pros: Beautiful themes, fast setup, hosted (no server to manage), mobile POS
Cons: Monthly fee, limited customization, transaction fees
Option C: Custom Site
If you have a developer (or are one), build your own checkout with PayBridgeNP's API.
Best for: Unique requirements, digital products, marketplaces, platforms
Stage 3: Scaling (100+ orders/month)
At this stage, you need:
- Automated order fulfillment
- Inventory management
- Financial reconciliation
- Refund workflows
- Reporting
PayBridgeNP's dashboard gives you all of this in one place. Every transaction from every channel (WooCommerce, Shopify, API, payment links) appears in a single dashboard.
Payment Methods: Which to Offer?
For a Nepali e-commerce store, you should offer:
Khalti - Essential. Huge user base, easy for customers.
eSewa - Essential. Nepal's most recognized wallet. Some customers have one but not the other.
ConnectIPS - Highly recommended for orders above NPR 10,000. Customers with high-value purchases often prefer direct bank transfer.
Cash on Delivery (COD) - Still important in Nepal, especially outside Kathmandu. Offer it alongside digital payments.
With PayBridgeNP, Khalti + eSewa + ConnectIPS come through a single integration. No need to add three separate gateways.
Understanding Fees
PayBridgeNP fee: A percentage per successful transaction (see current rates on the pricing page)
Khalti MDR: ~2-3% (charged on Khalti's end; included in the customer payment)
eSewa MDR: ~2-3% (same as Khalti)
ConnectIPS: Flat fee per transaction (typically NPR 5-20)
Shopify transaction fee: 0.5-2% extra if you use a third-party gateway on Shopify (Shopify Payments not available in Nepal)
Practical example for a NPR 1,000 order:
- Customer pays NPR 1,000
- Khalti takes ~2.5% = NPR 25
- PayBridgeNP fee: varies by plan
- You receive approximately NPR 960-970
Always price your products with gateway fees in mind. For payment security best practices before going live, see our security guide.
Settlement: When Do You Get Your Money?
PayBridgeNP settles to your bank account on a rolling basis:
- Transactions completed by a cutoff time settle T+1 or T+2 business days
- Minimum settlement amount applies (check dashboard settings)
- Weekend transactions settle on the next business day
Set up your bank account in PayBridgeNP dashboard under Settings > Payouts.
Checkout Conversion Tips for Nepal
The difference between a good and bad checkout experience can be 20-30% in conversion rate.
Show payment options clearly. Display Khalti and eSewa logos prominently. Many customers abandon if they can't immediately see their preferred payment method.
Set realistic timeouts. PayBridgeNP's checkout expires after 30 minutes by default. For complex orders (COD + digital), consider longer.
Mobile-first. Over 70% of Nepali online shoppers are on mobile. Test your checkout on a mid-range Android phone on a 4G connection.
Offer COD alongside digital. Until digital payment penetration hits critical mass, COD helps capture customers who are hesitant to pay online.
Conclusion
| Stage | Platform | Payments |
|---|---|---|
| 0-10 orders/month | None needed | PayBridgeNP payment links |
| 10-100/month | WooCommerce or Shopify | PayBridgeNP plugin |
| 100+/month | Any | PayBridgeNP API + webhooks |
Start simple, scale as you grow. Create your free PayBridgeNP account and be ready to accept payments in minutes.